Entertainment: Eventim boss expects increasing concert prices

If you want to experience live music, you will have to dig deeper into your pocket in the future. The head of the leading German ticket provider CTS Eventim, Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, expects increasing concert prices. Anyone who observes the industry quickly realizes that there is only one direction: “The prices rise,” he said in an interview by the German Press Agency.

The business does not differ from other industries. “But I hope and support that it takes place to an acceptable level.” The 74-year-old continued: “The level of admission prices is very high.” That is no question at all.

Organizers have hardly any scope

“When determining concert prices, the organizers have hardly any scope, a variety of factors lead to pricing,” said Schulenberg. Reasons for the increase are increased fees and higher costs for event facilities and employees.

Tour income due to streaming is becoming increasingly important

Bands and solo artists are increasingly dependent on revenue from tours due to streaming. In the old analog world, the sale of sound carriers identified about 85 percent of the income – and the live business 15 percent. “That was the other way around today,” said Schulenberg.

He could not name a flat rate of the fees. The artists often received a guaranteed fee and a significant part of the event profit. In the case of the best -known artist, their profit share can exceed 75 percent.

In the negotiations, artists – especially the most successful – are more powerful than the organizers. “There is a provider and several customers. Then you already know how the negotiations work.”

Personnel descended during the Corona pandemic

The costs of infrastructure and personnel have increased by 45 percent since the end of Corona pandemic. Higher personnel costs are the result of supply and demand, said Schulenberg. That means: Companies like Eventim would have to offer more to gain personnel.

Because during the Corona pandemic, many employees from the industry have migrated, as Schulenberg reported. “There was no industry in time, you quickly forget that.” Construction assistant is an exhausting profession – with work a day and at night. “There are certainly industries where you can earn money easier.”

Worldwide second largest ticket provider

The listed company CTS Eventim is the world’s second largest ticket provider. The largest provider is Live Nation Entertainment from the United States. Eventim sells tickets for concerts, theater performances and sports competitions, organizes concerts and operates venues such as the Waldbühne in Berlin.

The expanding company recently employed approximately 4,900 employees. Last year Eventim achieved an excess of EUR 318.9 million after 274.6 million euros 2023. Schulenberg itself is involved in Eventim through his foundation. The headquarters are Munich, important locations according to the number of employees are Bremen and Hamburg.