Simon Jones

IMPACT INTERNATIONAL: UK/EURO HONORS

Simon Jones

Senior Vice President of International Touring, AEG Presents

Simon Jones’ Skin Has Gotten Thicker

“Since becoming a promoter, I’ve never known a period with such highs and lows,” is how Simon Jones encapsulates the past year. The Senior Vice President of International Touring at AEG Presents recalls a recent instance “where I had two major onsales to great success, interwoven by news of a major cancellation the same day. Jubilation meets crushing disappointment. That said, we always have to deal with what is in front of us and have to stay positive. But my skin has certainly got even thicker recently!”

Jones’ highlights from 2022 include a fully sold-out run of stadium shows in Mexico with Justin Bieber and promoting the first mainland European/UK tour after COVID with Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Upcoming highlights among many, are a string of sold-out Fred again.. Brixton Academy shows and a sold-out BLACKPINK European arena tour, “both of which flew out the door instantly,” Jones says.

Jones, who doesn’t dwell on things beyond his control, found the best way to get on with the job was to ensure “everyone goes into each show or a tour with an open mind and [knowing] that it’s likely to throw up some challenges that weren’t there prior to the pandemic.” He confirms that market over saturation has slowed sales for many artists, which managers and agents navigate by “taking the right collective decisions to get the best end results.”

Jones predicts that “people will go to less shows in an average year, but spend more on a show/experience, and that includes at the bar and on the merch stand” and concludes on an important note: “The 110-miles-per-hour work rate and extra hours during the pandemic show no signs of slowing down and this isn’t sustainable for the long term. As an industry, we’re no doubt all aware of the impact this can have on people and artists, and I think we all need to come together to actively seek solutions and create a supportive and understanding environment.”