Popkomm Fest Like Clockwork

Paul Cheetham from Germany’s Clockwork Management will be in charge of Popkomm Festival, as the Berlin event tries to reclaim its place as the country’s major music business forum.

Popkomm 2009 was “postponed” due to poor ticket sales and now it has to make up ground on Hamburg’s Reeperbahn Festival, which filled the gap by setting up its own conference.

Cheetham, who began his 20-year career in the London agency business before moving on to what’s now Live Nation Finland, now runs his own management and promotion company from offices in Berlin and Helsinki. The client roster includes The Rasmus, The Crash, TV Off, Manboy, Lost Soul Division and Sister Flo.

“I have been involved with Popkomm for several years as a delegate, an exhibitor, and as a representative of showcasing artists, and have always believed it to be an essential part of the international music business,” he said in a statement beginning the countdown to this year’s revamped gathering.

He said he feels privileged to be able to take on the role and have the opportunity to work with the many good companies, venues and artists that will be involved.

This year’s Popkomm (Sept. 8-10) will be part of the inaugural Berlin Music Week, which opens on Sept. 6. Cheetham’s showcase sessions take place at the Berlin Kulturbrauerei on the second and third days. Labels, managers, publishers and artists have until April 30 to apply for one of the slots.

The acts will also have chance to perform at the fifth Berlin Festival Sept. 10-11, which Melt Festival chief Stefan Lehmkuhl is organising at the city’s old Tempelhof Airport.

This year’s Berlin Festival is expanding and will include an open-air stage under the extended roof of the airport building and two indoor stages inside hangars. Popkomm delegates can also use their tickets to gain admission to the Berlin Festival.