Semmelmann Hits Back Over Waldbühne

Dieter Semmelmann has hit back at German press reports questioning whether CTS Eventim has the experience to run a facility like Berlin’s 22,000-capacity Waldbühne.

Waldbühne (or forest stage) has been run by Peter Schwenkow’s DEAG group for nearly 30 years but, after collecting tenders to run it for the next four years, the Berlin municipality awarded the contract to arch-rival CTS. The deal was signed Sept. 24.

“We are not a venue operator in the same sense as AEG or SMG, but we do have experience of running big outdoor events,” the Semmel Concerts chief told Pollstar. He noted that the Medusa Group of promoters, which are all roughly half-owned by the German ticketing giant, either produces or co-produces about a dozen of the country’s festivals.

Semmel produces Highfield Festival in cahoots with fellow CTS promoter FKP Scorpio, which also has Hurricane and Southside festivals, while Marek Lieberberg promotes Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park.

“What is the difference between producing these events and producing events in the Waldbühne?” Semmelmann asked.
He also said four of the major shows held in the venue during the last year – Santana, R.E.M., Linkin Park and Celine Dion – were all put on by CTS promoters.

“Schwenkow has run it by sitting back and waiting for the phone to ring,” he said, adding that the Berlin council wants to get more use out of the venue. And he said the Medusa Group, which also includes Peter Rieger Konzertagentur, Argo Konzerte and Dirk Becker Entertainment, is in a strong position to help it do that.

Semmelmann said there’s been no decision on which of the promoters will actually run the Waldbühne, but he’s the only one with a Berlin office and appears the most likely candidate.

DEAG’s bid to continue to run the venue was made in partnership with AEG, which recently named Schwenkow’s company as a “preferred supplier” for the new Berlin O2 World arena that opened last month.