Australian News 12/13

NSW Music Events Under Threat

A crackdown on security-guard standards in New South Wales might have repercussions for promoters of music festivals and concerts.

One-third of the state’s nearly 10,000 private security guards are expected to lose their licenses Jan. 8 if they fail to meet tough new training requirements.

As a result of this shortage, police are urging promoters to shorten their festivals by two hours and stop serving alcohol in the last few hours. Police and festival operators met Dec. 9 to discuss issues.

 

Jacobsens Selling ‘Dirty Dancing’ Stake?

Speculation is growing that Sydney-based entrepreneurs Kevin and Michael Jacobsen are selling most of their 50 percent stake in the “Dirty Dancing” musical.

One of their companies, Time Of My Life, owns the global rights to the show, which has already grossed $500 million worldwide.

The pair estimated its final tally at $2 billion.

The Jacobsens could not be reached for comment, but it’s possible the sale talks are related to the public family feud between the Jacobsens and Kevin’s brother Col Joye and his daughter Amber. All four are involved in the musical’s production.

 

Managers Taking ‘Control’

A pilot music managers mentoring scheme has taken off.

“Control” saw 15 young artist managers from around the country being mentored on business planning and structures by U.K.-based Peter Jenner (whose clients have included Pink Floyd) and Australians Bill Cullen (Paul Kelly), Michael McMartin (Hoodoo Gurus) and entertainment lawyer Shane Simpson.

The three-part program included an online tutorial in business planning, a residential workshop in NSW over three days in September and feedback on a post-workshop business plan.

 

Bon Scott Movie Prepped

Australian filmmaker Eddie Martin is working on a biopic about the late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott.

He scored funding from Film Australia and plans to have the cameras rolling within 18 months.

Casting for the actor to play Scott will be held worldwide. However, Martin has mentioned Scottish actor James McAvoy for Scott and Aussie Tom Budge for guitarist Angus Young.

Scott’s son, Ben, says he wants a role.

There has been no response from the band or its Australian record label Alberts, which will decide whether to license AC/DC songs for the project.

 

Short Notes

Mandawuy Yunupingu, leader of indigenous band Yothu Yindi, is coming to the end of his life. He is hospitalised and needing constant dialysis treatment due to his diabetes. Yothu Yindi had a global hit with “Treaty,” a call for a pact between black and white Australia.

Les Kaczamerek, original bass player and co-founder of Cold Chisel, died Dec. 5 of liver failure. Kaczamerek opted to remain in Adelaide when the rest of the band moved in the mid-’70s to Sydney and became one of the biggest-selling acts of the day.

Adelaide live music venue The Austral has changed hands. Gosia Schild is taking a break after almost 26 years while new owners David Gilbert and Hannah Michell plan to increase live music content.

Seventy-six people were arrested for possession of drugs and eight for supplying at the Homebake Festival in Sydney, which had 20,000 in attendance.