Somewhat larger and a little more pandemic-friendly concert formats than a year ago, but far from normal business: This is how the situation of the local concert and event industry can still be summarized.

This finding is also reflected in the business figures of the largest European ticketing and events group, CTS Eventim.

In the second quarter, compared to the same period of the previous year, there was an increase in sales of at first glance a proud 228.1 percent to 45.7 million euros.

However, the period from April to June last year was also much more affected by the effects of the pandemic, which resulted in sales of just 13.9 million euros.

For comparison: In 2019, the M-Dax Group reported sales of around 414 million euros for this period.

Benjamin Fischer

Editor in business.

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In contrast to normal times, the significantly higher-margin ticketing business generated 36.1 million euros (plus 283.7 percent) in sales in the second quarter than that of the cost-intensive events - 11.5 million euros (plus 81.5 percent) Percent).

However, the organizers belonging to the group also primarily organize larger tours or festivals such as Rock am Ring, Southside or Hurricane, which did not take place in the wake of the crisis in 2021 either.

The crux of the matter is the distance rule

In the ticketing segment, on the other hand, Eventim acts primarily as a service provider for smaller and larger non-group organizers from various areas. Eventim is the leading provider here, so tickets for the beach chair concert series are also sold on the Eventim platforms. Last but not least, the receipt of around 102 million euros in November and December aid also contributed to the operating profit of 99.1 million euros in the second quarter. The bottom line was that the shareholders accounted for around 52 million euros. After the figures were presented on Wednesday noon, the share was up just under 1 percent after losing around 11 percent last week.

In the half-year financial report it was stated that the “measures initiated in the previous year to reduce costs and secure liquidity” had been continued. Among other things, jobs were cut in the ticketing segment and in the live area. With regard to the latter, this "essentially" affected temporary workers. Eventim boss Klaus-Peter Schulenberg explained when presenting the figures that the “clearly increasing ticket sales” showed people's longing for culture. The group is meanwhile well positioned for "the restart of the live entertainment business". In addition to the savings, the company used the crisis to “further strengthen and broaden its own market position with a whole series of far-reaching strategic initiatives”. Eventim announced at the beginning of August,wanting to build the “largest and most modern” multifunctional hall in Italy in Milan, and also founded a branch for the Asian market together with the former Live Nation manager Jason Miller at the end of July.

Hamburg introduces 2-G option

Eventim still does not dare to make a forecast.

In fact, due to the increased number of open-air events that took place or are taking place in July, August or September, subject to pandemic-related restrictions, there is likely to be a significant year-on-year increase in the third quarter, especially in ticketing.

But these are rarely a profitable business for organizers due to the capacity restrictions, among other things due to the distance requirement;

and the open-air season will end soon.

The majority of the planned international tours have long been postponed to 2022.

In view of this, however, Schulenberg appealed to politicians to define clear framework conditions “so that events can be carried out economically again in the future”.

At the beginning of July he said in an interview with the FAZ: "I hope that in the fourth quarter we will see indoor concerts with full capacity without distance or mask." .

In order to enable events with full occupancy again, the possibility of a limitation to people who have recovered from a Covid 19 disease or who have been vaccinated is required.

In Hamburg, the Senate decided on such an “option model” on Tuesday, according to which organizers and restaurant operators are only allowed to admit those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered.

For example, there is no need to keep a distance, but a medical mask must still be worn in interior furnishings.

Capacity restrictions for concerts, for example, also remain in place.

Another approach, which was also pushed on Tuesday by the Event Management Forum, in which the Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry (BDKV) is organized, again provides for the retention of the 3-G rule.

However, only PCR tests and no rapid antigen tests should be accepted in the future.

With this principle, clubs in Baden-Württemberg should be allowed to reopen at full capacity.

Before that, it was also mandatory to wear a mask on the dance floor.

After talks between the club scene, Dehoga and the state government, this is no longer necessary on the dance floor or in the seating areas.

However, the prerequisite for full utilization is a "sufficient" ventilation concept, and the industry should also develop a "sample hygiene concept".