Australia: Six60 Sets Record, Eminem Copyright Battle Continues, VVV MGMT Launches, Harry Miller Dies

Multi-platinum-selling, chart-topping Six60 already made history as the first New Zealand band to headline the 50,000-capacity Western Springs Stadium in Auckland Feb. 23. But they had a double whammy when tickets went on sale July 6 after 27,000 in the first 20 minutes, and 30,000 by end of day. 

“This is unprecedented, It’s the biggest selling show by a New Zealand artist ever,” said Brent Eccles, head of Eccles Entertainment. He expects the all-ages show – with R&B/pop outfit Drax Project, reggae band Sons of Zion, chart-topping hip-hop duo SWIDT and DJ/ producer IllBaz – to hit capacity.

Over the southern summer, Six60 shifted 40,000 tickets during a New Zealand tour and sold out five Australian theatres. Their current EP, Don’t Give It Up, was recently certified platinum.

New Zealand’s National Party is appealing the NZ$600,000 ($410,650) in damages awarded to the publisher of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” as too high. Last October, the High Court found the party, then in government, contravened the rapper’s copyright when it used a library soundalike for its 2014 election ad

The NZ Herald reported its arguments in the Court of Appeal in Wellington are the judge erred in taking a licensor-centric” approach. Justice Helen Cull took on board Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style’s testimony that it rarely green-lighted the song’s use in ads. She estimated the $600,000 as the “hypothetical licence fee” that would have been charged if the publisher had given permission.

The Nationals’ lawyer, Greg Arthur, is arguing Cull relied on the advice of an expert with no relevant New Zealand experience, the base fee was a “significant percentage higher,” his clients were not “so desperate” for the track that they would pay “above the odds for it,” and the fact the ad campaign only ran for 11 days should mean it not be charged premium prices.

Melbourne-based booking agency 123’s founder Damian Costin on July 9 launched management company VVV MGMT. It is in partnership with Tom Larkin, drummer with major hard rock band Shihad, who also manages acts, runs a studio and produces records.

At launch, the roster included emerging acts from Australia and New Zealand such as Dear Seattle, The Vanns, Between You & Me, Bad Juju, Sweater Curse, Eliza & The Delusionals as well long-term career artists Kingswood and Woodlock. VVV MGMT staff consists of artist manager Rachel Whitford, artist operations coordinator Aijia Li, and head of finance Jake Lowe.

Coston, who played drums in ‘90s band Motor Ace, told Pollstar, “Coming from musician backgrounds, Tom and I know all the steps it takes to build and break an act. That’s the way the team at 123 worked: they’re so passionate about what they do that they don’t just stop at booking the bands, they go out of their way to ensure everything runs smoothly for them.”

Harry M. Miller, the high-profile theatrical and concert promoter who epitomised the old-skool high flying showbiz entrepreneur, died in Sydney after a seven-year battle with dementia. He was 84. Born in New Zealand, he spent his early years in an orphanage before touring Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie.

After moving to Australia in 1963, he toured The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Judy Collins and Shirley Bassey, and then made his mark with blockbusters like “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Hair.” In 2007, he handed his daughter Lauren the reins to his publicity firm HMMG and retired in 2009.

City Of Sydney’s Nightlife Panel Works On Policies

The City of Sydney’s new nightlife panel – made up of 15 venue owners, local traders, councillors, DJs, town planners, criminologists and festival promoters – has within weeks of being announced come up with five priorities to revitalise the city’s after-dark economy and maintain its safety.

These were to change the narrative about Sydney’s nightlife, reduce regulations, promote stronger collaboration among stakeholders, deliver flexible buildings to enable more creativity and advocate for 24-hour public transport.

Ticketek Sets Time With ECAL Calendar Marketing

Ticketek struck a partnership with Australian tech company ECAL to integrate its calendar marketing and comms technology into its website and email setup. Users can add entertainment and sports events directly into their personal calendars. It accesses them on-sale and ticket special information and the ability to purchase from their calendars.

An ECAL survey found 70 percent of Aussies rely on their digital calendars to manage their lives, with 47 percent reliant on mobile calendars. Ticketek, owned by TEG, issues 28 million tickets trough Australia and New Zealand a year, with 150 venue and sport partnerships.