Scorpio’s Nordic Intent

German promoter FKP Scorpio has signaled its Nordic ambitions go beyond running a couple of festivals by hiring David Maloney to head its Swedish office.

Given that the Hamburg-based promoter already has staff to run its Swedish and Danish festivals, it seems clear that Maloney – who has twice worked for Live Nation and once for rival AEG – has been tapped to set up its Scandinavian touring business.

“It’s not a case of having any specific plans but more a case of looking for opportunities,” FKP chief Folkert Koopmans told Pollstar, confirming that his new Swedish operation has already confirmed shows with Lauryn Hill, The Sounds, and Ed Sheeran.

While his company looks for suitable office space in Stockholm, it will take a cautious approach to the market in cahoots with existing working partners such as Brian Nielsen in Denmark.

Nielsen, an experienced tour promoter who heads Århus-based Skandinavian, is FKP’s local partner in the 2-year-old, 15,000-capacity Northside Festival at Aadalen.

Maloney spent nearly 20 years at EMA Telstar, which became Live Nation’s Nordic HQ, before jumping ship to set up AEG’s newly opened Swedish office in 2007.

By 2010 he was back at LN, joining wholly owned subsidiary Luger, after AEG shuttered its Scandinavian promoting business.

A foothold in the Swedish and Danish capitals, coupled with the foundation it has in Hamburg, could make FKP Scorpio a key player for major acts wanting shows in northern Europe.

Apart from Northside in Denmark, it has two festivals in Sweden and a site lined up for a third and much larger one on an old military airbase near Norrköping.

A little more than a year ago it bought the bankrupt Hultsfred Festival from the official receiver and in October acquired a majority stake in Getaway Festival at Gävle.

FKP’s German fests include Southside, Hurricane, Highfield, Chiemsee Reggae, M’Era Luna, Area 4, and Deichbrand.