MTV Opens Wide

MTV Networks International looks to have realised that running a major outdoor show needn’t be as painful as root canal surgery, provided it relies upon a local dentist to organise the production.

For the second staging of what may turn out to be an annual event on the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta, the cable network is again calling on the professional services of Dr. Nigel Camilleri B.D.S. to put the show together.

"Yes, I am a dentist and I still have a practice," he told Pollstar, explaining that he chose a second career in the live music business only out of necessity.

"I love going to live shows and the only way to do that here is to promote them myself. Nothing used to happen here," he said, detailing a six-year career that’s seen him put on acts including Roger Waters, Sting, Elton John and Duran Duran as well as revamping the island’s jazz festival.

Camilleri, who graduated from the University of Malta in 1997 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree and shortly after joined the family practice, says Andrew Zweck from London’s Live Nation-owned Sensible Events got him started and acts as his mentor.

"MTV books the acts for Isle Of MTV and I just ensure that they have all the equipment they need, either putting it together locally or sourcing it abroad," he said.

This year’s one-dayer at the 40,000-capacity Il-Fosos Square in Floriana (June 25) features The Kooks, OneRepublic, N*E*R*D and Enrique Iglesias.

MTV will film the event and broadcast an hour-long special across its pan-European network in September.