Producers and managers: current challenges, and new issues
The challenges for bookers and managers in the post-COVID context are particularly demanding.
The abrupt and swift transformations in practices are evident, with notable shifts in audience habits and resignations among collaborators.
They add an additional layer of complexity, making booking and promoting emerging artists nearly an impossible task.These developments raise crucial questions about the position and role of these key players in the music industry.
CUR - Aurélie Thuot (Fr)
After studying sociology at Paris VII and cultural project design and implementation at Paris V, Aurélie Thuot specialized in live entertainment professions, particularly music, by undertaking training in artist management, entrepreneurship, event production, and music publishing.
She worked as a press attaché for the opera production Norma Yeu 2001, served as an administrative advisor and distribution manager for the theater company Déli Délo, and was assistant to Cathy Bitton (Saraswati Music) in 2002.
Subsequently, she spent two years as an administrative assistant at the theater company Entrées de Jeu, specializing in theatrical debates. This experience equipped her with the administrative skills necessary in the live entertainment industry.
Her encounters led her to the music industry. Initially working as a tour manager and press attaché for Oldelaf as a freelancer, she co-founded Adone Productions in 2004 in collaboration with Les Fatals Picards, of which she has since served as director and administrator.
Adone Productions is a company specializing in show production and tours.As an elected member of the Bureau and National Council of the Syndicat des Musiques Actuelles (SMA), Aurélie Thuot represents the producers of the union's shows. She also sits on the Professional Council of the Centre National de la Musique (CNM) and has been appointed to the Board of Directors and the financial commission of the Caisse des Congés Spectacles.She regularly conducts training sessions on event administration at the CNM, IESA, and ACP - Manufacture Chansons.
From 2019 to 2021, she served as a mentor in the MEWEN mentoring program for female entrepreneurs in the music industry.
Rudy Kink (Swi)
Rudy Kink works for the Swiss agency Sixteentimes Music and independently as a tour manager and stage technician.
In addition to its work as a classical label, Sixteentimes Music is also responsible for booking and managing musicians and developing their careers. The label has a proven track record in the vinyl market and also works digitally with new media and its own playlists.
In addition to Swiss artists, Sixteentimes Music also represents musicians from Spain, England, Germany and the United States. Sixteentimes Music is the organiser of the Fuzz Jam Festival and the Setalight Festival in northern Germany and launched the Solid Blast Session in London in 2023.
Nadia Mitic (Swi)
After training as a teacher, followed by a Master's degree in literature, Nadia Mitic has been devoting herself to contemporary music since 2009. She is an artist agent and manager, co-founder and partner of the Swiss booking agency Glad We Met, as well as a press officer and programmer.
With over 10 years' experience in the field and a solid network in Switzerland's 3 linguistic regions and abroad, she regularly shares her professional knowledge through training courses, expert appraisals and jury work for the Swiss Music Prize, the FCMA, the HEMU, M4Music, Sonart and for the cities of Neuchâtel and Lausanne and the canton of Valais.
In 2022, Nadia Mitic created and coordinated a project to support emerging Swiss artists in their professional development.
Since August 2023, in parallel with her work as agent and programmer of the Garden Parties in Lausanne, she has held the new position of artist accompanist at the venue Case à Chocs in Neuchâtel.
Chris Burg (DE)
Chris W. Burr is a music enthusiast.
A self-taught singer-songwriter in the 80s and 90s, he founded the booking agency Hotellounge in 1999, promoting international artists. The agency split into two divisions with a concert activity that radiates throughout Europe: the European office (green logo) is based in Saarland, near France and Luxembourg, and handles German tours, while its Swiss office (red logo) is located in Bern (Switzerland) and manages concerts.
In 2019, Hotellounge launched its own festival called Hemmersdorf POP, which takes place every October in Guerstling (FR) and Hemmersdorf (DE). This cross-border festival communicates in German and French. It showcases new trends in neo-classical, modern jazz and indie-pop from the Greater Region, and receives extensive media coverage in Germany, France, Luxembourg and other countries. The festival also covers cultural participation in rural areas.
Stan Bourguignon (Bel)
Stan Bourguignon is a musician since his childhood, and gradually became professional in different bands, then by practicing booking and management.
Since 2015, he multiplies collaborations and sharpens his understanding of the sector through various experiences: organization of an annual festival, setting up a micro-label, development of an agency, instrumental and live practice with various bands. Close to the alternative scene, he favors the human and artisanal approach of music as a tool for sharing and conviviality in front of the industry. He is interested in the political and institutional aspects of the sector by being actively involved in different federations, convinced by the strength and the necessity of a collective action for a better defense of the creative and cultural domains.
The FBMU, Federation of Bookers and Managers Uni-e-s, gathers booking and/or music management agencies based in the Walloon-Brussels Federation, in Belgium. The FBMU studies the problems linked to the professions it represents and to its sector. It brings a new expertise and new insights thanks to the shared experiences and solidarity of its members.
Marie-Caroline Dony ( Fr)
After 15 years in the industry working in PR, Trade Marketing and SSM Marika decided to learn all about digital.
Former Ditto Music Country manager in France she decided to go solo and created her agency : Pool Management.Working with amazing artists : Ravage Club, Lydsten, Agathe Bonin, Izadora, Ricky Rock, DeLaurentis, in the heart of electronic music and technologies ! Working with Ai, all techs : she is into tech & music.
As a publisher, Marika is also developing artists in France and knows how to go global at the time. Defending sorority and Queer artists, her expertise is unique. She is a great speaker and often goes on panels to speak about her job and the industry !
Maureen Vanden Berghe (Bel)
Maureen Vanden Berghe founded the Julia Camino agency with Damien Aresta in 2021.
At the heart of the artistic direction of the projects she manages, her previous experience in audiovisual post-production still serves her today in establishing strategic planning while enjoying autonomy in content creation. She has notably contributed to the creation of video clips, produced the "At this Moment" podcast, and offers her services in music supervision for cinema.
Also in 2021, she joined the MEWEM Europa mentorship program (now renamed Les Lianes in Belgium) and subsequently launched a working group for research and action on the mental health of music workers: DISCARE.
The objective of Julia Camino is to be an artistically superb and socially responsible agency. For these reasons, Maureen is highly involved in the daily lives of the artists she works with, helping them steer their careers and showcase their creations. Among them, we find Annabel Lee, Garance Midi, SÏAN ABLE, and Mamacita Matadora.