With the new year upon us, we asked some of the live music industry's most prominent figures about their hopes and predictions for 2017.
John Reid (pictured), president, Live Nation Europe
Which new artist are you most excited about for 2017?
Dua Lipa
What’s your biggest wish for the music industry in 2017?
A year of fantastic, and peaceful events, and some great Summer weather!
Steve Tilley, director, Kilimanjaro LIve
Which new artist are you most excited about for 2017?
There are so many to choose from, it's not fair to single one out. I don't do favouritism. But go on then, Louis Berry, he's the real deal.
What's your biggest wish for the music industry in 2017?
That we devise a way to defeat secondary ticketing and that it's backed by legislation.
Sam Isles, MD, Ticketweb & artist services at Ticketmaster
Which new artist are you most excited about for 2017?
Nadia Rose. We’ve seen quite a few female rappers come on to the scene recently but Nadia Rose has a talent bigger than any of them – so much so we chose her as one of the 12 to be featured in TicketWeb’s ‘Ones to Watch’ list for 2017.
What’s your biggest wish for the music industry in 2017?
We all want the same things – great music, brilliant concerts and happy fans.
John Drury, VP and general manager, The SSE Arena, WembleyI’d like to see Jain bring her French success over to the UK the way Christine And The Queens did. Infectious music and a good reminder that whatever happens in politics, we’ll always be close to our neighbours!
Anton Lockwood, director, DHP Family
2017 is looking exciting for new artists. Calum Scott, Cigarettes After Sex, Miya Folick, Georgie, Cherry Glazerr, Tash Sultana, loads more too. The Americana scene is pretty vibrant too, and looking forward to many artists that might not be new in USA, but are in the UK.
Paul Reed, general manager, Association Of Independent Festivals
Which new artist are you most excited about for 2017?
Bryde.
What’s your biggest wish for the music industry in 2017?
That I don’t have to utter the three letters ‘PRS’ in members meetings for much longer! That festivals continue to be not only escapism but a platform for debate, potential change and influencing audience behaviour in politically turbulent times.
Richard Davies, founder, Twickets
Which new artist are you most excited about for 2017?
The artist I'm most excited about for 2017 is Idles.
What’s your biggest wish for the music industry in 2017?
The next key step is for the government to act on the secondary market with greater enforcement of the Consumer Rights Act.
