An ILMC For Brits

Although it hasn’t quite managed to pull in the number of delegates organisers originally hoped, Live UK magazine’s The Summit conference has certainly won the plaudits of its target market.

Now in its third year, this ILMC for Brits will once again tackle the issues that concern the U.K. live music business at London’s Radisson SAS Portman Hotel Oct. 7-8.

“The ILMC is highly successful at representing those working in the global business and The Summit aims to give similar support to the home market,” said Steve Parker, Live UK’s owner and managing editor. He hopes to get 300-plus to the 2009 gathering.

Described by Solo Agency chief John Giddings as “a much-needed addition to the business calendar,” in the two previous years it’s managed to deliver a lineup of panelists that reads like a Who’s Who of the British music industry. Giddings looks after European tours for such acts as U2, Madonna and The Rolling Stones.

Apart from Giddings himself, who appeared on a couple of panels, the 2008 speakers also included Rob Hallet (AEG Live), Neil Warnock (The Agency Group), Stuart Galbraith (Kilimanjaro Live), Eric Baker (Viagogo), Dave Chumbley (Primary Talent), Paul Boswell (Free Trade Agency), Chris Edmonds (Ticketmaster), Steve Jenner (Virtual Festivals) and John Mclldowie (Barfly).

Jeff Craft from London-based X-ray Touring, who appeared on a panel called “Tomorrow’s World,” treated delegates to his somewhat Darwinesque theories about how the impending recession would lead to a shakedown in the industry.
That alone was probably worth the admission price.

The 2009 panelists are still being finalised but if Parker and his team can come up with a similar lineup, the future of the event should be assured.