German Promoters Neuland Concerts And Funke Media Merge

Both companies, formerly competitors in Germany’s unofficial music capital Hamburg, will be operating under the name of Neuland Concerts going forward, which makes the new company “one of Germany’s largest owner-operated concert promoters and agencies,” by its own admission.

Christian Gerlach founded Neuland Concerts as a division of Warner Music in 2008, developing it into one of Germany’s main concert promoters. Neuland has handled tours by the likes of Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo, Twenty One Pilots, Robin Schulz, Kaleo and Russ, when they were still playing small clubs all the way through to arenas. 

Gerlach’s team prides itself in a “good feel for trends and newcomers.” The company’s touring business and booking department for domestic artists is complemented by a company-owned division for show design and the production of live events.

In 2017, Gerlach and his team went independent after completing a management buy-out from Warner Music, which also marks the point in time Neuland began cooperating more strongly with Funke Media, the promoter and agency it has now acquired for an undisclosed sum.

Founded in 1959 by Pascal Funke, the company boasts an established roster of artists and an extensive line-up of events. Over more than six decades, Funke has attracted national and international superstars such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, the Rolling Stones and the Bee Gees, thereby strongly shaping the reputation of Hamburg as the country’s music capital.

Gerlach and Funke will jointly manage the business and the team of Neuland Concerts as equal partners going forward.

“Funke Media has been a competitor for us up until now, and we’ve always had the utmost respect for the high level at which the company has been operating. Despite the competitiveness of the relationship, it has always been characterized by a great mutual appreciation and, since a few years, growing trust. It is remarkable how Pascal has developed the family business founded by his father Hans-Werner Funke since he joined the company in 1997. By merging as Neuland Concerts, we can expand our business, especially in the area of local events in and around Hamburg, and offer even more diverse events right here on our doorstep,” commented Christian Gerlach. 

Funke added, “Over the past few years, I have come to know Christian as a reliable and at the same time very passionate promoter who has always thought outside the box. He knows the needs of his artists across all genre boundaries. I was impressed by the establishment of Neuland Concerts as a new agency and its subsequent leap into independence; since then, we’ve been touching base fairly regularly. When we were looking for new alliances our aim was to combine opportunities and competencies while remaining true to our own values. Through the merger, both companies have succeeded in doing this under the joint roof of Neuland.” 

Funke Media is a longtime partner of the popular singer and TV host Ina Müller and is the Hamburg promoter of Andrea Bocelli, the Night of the Proms, numerous famous comedians and many more. 

The artists and tours managed by Neuland Concerts include Biffy Clyro, Russ, Jason Derulo, Melanie Martinez, Keb’ Mo’, Gary Clark Jr., ZAZ and many more next to a variety of domestic artists, shows and bestselling authors.