Popkomm
Encyclopedia
Popkomm is an international trade show for the music and entertainment
business, and also integrates a congress and festival. It is held in Berlin but has had entries from at least 55 other countries. Popkomm is organised by Popkomm GmbH, Berlin.
in 1989, and at the time was a meeting place of little-known independent musicians. In 1990 Popkomm moved to Cologne, and had already become an international meeting place of the industry. Cologne
hosted the show until 2003 when then relocated to Berlin
in 2004.
In Berlin the event developed into one of the three biggest international music b2b events, until the organizing Popkomm GmbH postponed the event in 2009 for one year due to reclining revenues. In 2010 Popkomm will be reactivated as part of the umbrella brand Berlin Music Week and will take place at the Berlin Tempelhof Airport.
, former lead singer of the Undertones
and chairman of the UK’s Live Music Forum, Gilberto Gil
, world-famous musician and Minister of Culture of Popkomm’s partner country Brazil, Claude Nobs
, founder of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, and boy group impresario Lou Pearlman were all present at Popkomm 2006.
In 2007 the main topics were digital music, live music
, mobile entertainment
and the creative industries
. In addition to highlighting these issues Popkomm also organises attractions by country, for example in 2006 the focus was on Japan
, Brazil
and Russia
.
In 2010, the congress will also take place at the airport Tempelhof and will be organized by a2n, all together now.
, attendance far in excess of 15,000 trade visitors, Popkomm 2006 broke all previous records. However, over the years it has not only been the number of exhibitors, the total of countries represented, and visitor attendance which have been rising, but also the volume of successful talks and deals taking place at this trade fair. Following Popkomm 2006, 72 per cent of exhibitors and 41 per cent of trade visitors reported concluding successful business. In 2010, for the first time in its history Popkomm will also introduce a B2C marketplace reaching out to the end consumer.
, Chicks on Speed
, Joy Denalane
, Kaizers Orchestra
, ¡Forward, Russia!
, the Aggrolites
, the Long Blondes
, Sugarplum Fairy
, Juliette and the Licks
and Lunik
.
is popular and the market for classical music is growing noticeably. Popkomm tapped into this trend years ago and has made Popkomm Classics a successful part of its concept. Label
s, associations, publishers and classical music media are represented at the Classic Lounge, a place where they can showcase new and innovative trends of the classical music market, and where they can promote an exchange of views by meeting interesting people and holding constructive talks in a relaxed atmosphere. Classical music is also an integral part of the Popkomm Congress. In 2006 the panels discussed innovative educational programmes and the power of classical music. In 2006 "ReComposed by Jimi Tenor
“ celebrated a world premiere at Berlin’s Deutsche Oper.
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
business, and also integrates a congress and festival. It is held in Berlin but has had entries from at least 55 other countries. Popkomm is organised by Popkomm GmbH, Berlin.
History
Popkomm first took place in DüsseldorfDüsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
in 1989, and at the time was a meeting place of little-known independent musicians. In 1990 Popkomm moved to Cologne, and had already become an international meeting place of the industry. Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
hosted the show until 2003 when then relocated to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
in 2004.
In Berlin the event developed into one of the three biggest international music b2b events, until the organizing Popkomm GmbH postponed the event in 2009 for one year due to reclining revenues. In 2010 Popkomm will be reactivated as part of the umbrella brand Berlin Music Week and will take place at the Berlin Tempelhof Airport.
The congress
The Popkomm Congress is where important industry issues are discussed, new developments are introduced and information is presented by international representatives of the business. For trade visitors there are panels with prominent figures and keynote speakers from the highest tiers of the music business. Figures such as Feargal SharkeyFeargal Sharkey
Feargal Sharkey is a singer from Northern Ireland who first found fame as the lead vocalist of pop punk band The Undertones...
, former lead singer of the Undertones
The Undertones
The Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975.The original line-up of the Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums — The Undertones , Hypnotised , Positive Touch and The Sin of Pride — before disbanding in July 1983.Music guide Allmusic...
and chairman of the UK’s Live Music Forum, Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira , better known as Gilberto Gil or , is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment...
, world-famous musician and Minister of Culture of Popkomm’s partner country Brazil, Claude Nobs
Claude Nobs
Claude Nobs is the founder and general manager of the famous Montreux Jazz Festival.-Biography:...
, founder of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, and boy group impresario Lou Pearlman were all present at Popkomm 2006.
In 2007 the main topics were digital music, live music
Live Music
Live Music is a reggaeton company owned by DJ Giann.-Artists:* Jowell & Randy* Tony Lenta* Watussi* De La Ghetto* Guelo Star* Galante "El Emperador"-Producers:*DJ Blass*Dexter*Mr. Greenz*DJ Giann*Los Hitmen*Dirty Joe*ALX...
, mobile entertainment
Mobile Entertainment
Mobile entertainment comprises a range of activities associated with mobile electronics. The list is constantly expanding.-Definition:According to Moore and Rutter, a primary difficulty when researching mobile entertainment is that of definition. It is not always apparent to consumers precisely...
and the creative industries
Creative industries
The creative industries refers to a range of economic activities which are concerned with the generation or exploitation of knowledge and information...
. In addition to highlighting these issues Popkomm also organises attractions by country, for example in 2006 the focus was on Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
In 2010, the congress will also take place at the airport Tempelhof and will be organized by a2n, all together now.
The marketplace
For people in the business Popkomm has become a must on the trade show calendar, a show that gives the industry a strong economic boost and in terms of cultural politics exerts an important influence. For years numerous labels, majors and indies, distributors, publishers and enterprises close to the music industry have been represented at Popkomm. With a display area covering 16,000 square metres, a total of 817 exhibitors, 589 of whom were from 55 countries outside GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, attendance far in excess of 15,000 trade visitors, Popkomm 2006 broke all previous records. However, over the years it has not only been the number of exhibitors, the total of countries represented, and visitor attendance which have been rising, but also the volume of successful talks and deals taking place at this trade fair. Following Popkomm 2006, 72 per cent of exhibitors and 41 per cent of trade visitors reported concluding successful business. In 2010, for the first time in its history Popkomm will also introduce a B2C marketplace reaching out to the end consumer.
The festival
In addition to the trade show and the congress the third element of Popkomm’s threefold concept that takes place every year is a phenomenal festival. In 2006 Popkomm organised stage performances by over 2,000 musicians from 26 countries, over 400 acts performed more than 600 hours of live music at 30 clubs in Berlin, in front of audiences totalling 70,000. Among the big names in 2006 were Billy TalentBilly Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Streetsville, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Ben Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on lead guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk ....
, Chicks on Speed
Chicks on Speed
Chicks on Speed is a multi-national musical ensemble, formed in Munich in 1997, when members Melissa Logan, Kiki Moorse and Alex Murray-Leslie met at the Academy of Fine Arts....
, Joy Denalane
Joy Denalane
Joy Maureen Denalane , known as Joy Denalane, is a German singer-songwriter, known for her mixture of soul, R&B, and African folk music with lyrics in German and English.-Early life:...
, Kaizers Orchestra
Kaizers Orchestra
Kaizers Orchestra is a Norwegian alternative rock group formed on January 1, 2000. The two leading members, vocalist Janove Ottesen and guitarist Geir Zahl, had known each other for years, and first played together in a band called Blod, Snått & Juling in 1989.Kaizers Orchestra are notable for...
, ¡Forward, Russia!
¡Forward, Russia!
¡Forward, Russia! were an English alternative band from Leeds, formed in early 2004, though are currently on hiatus. Until 2006, the band only named tracks with numbers, in the order that they were written...
, the Aggrolites
The Aggrolites
The Aggrolites are a reggae and ska band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2002.- Overview :The Aggrolites are an amalgamation of two previous Los Angeles reggae and ska bands, the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors. They formed in 2002 as a live backing band for reggae icon Derrick Morgan, and...
, the Long Blondes
The Long Blondes
The Long Blondes were a five-piece English indie rock band formed in Sheffield, United Kingdom in 2003 by Dorian Cox , Reenie Hollis , Emma Chaplin , Kate Jackson and Screech Louder .After several critically...
, Sugarplum Fairy
Sugarplum Fairy
Sugarplum Fairy is a pop-rock band from Borlänge, Sweden. The members took the name from a version of the Beatles' song "A Day in the Life" where John Lennon counts the song in by saying "sugar-plum-fairy, sugar-plum-fairy"...
, Juliette and the Licks
Juliette and the Licks
Juliette and the Licks was an American rock band led by actress Juliette Lewis. Other band members included guitarist Craig Fairbaugh and guitarist Emilio Cueto, bassist Jason Womack and drummer Ed Davis. Their popular songs include "You're Speaking My Language" and "Hot Kiss"...
and Lunik
Lunik
Lunik is a band from Switzerland. There are currently four members.Lunik started in 1997 with Adi Amstutz, Luk Zimmermann, Mats Marti, Walo Müller and Anton Höglhammer. Singer Jaël joined the band in 1998 and Anton Höglhammer left the line-up. 1999 saw the release of their debut album Rumour,...
.
Popkomm IMEA: the awards
Popkomm IMEA stands for the ”Innovation in Music and Entertainment Awards“, these are presented in recognition of innovative business ideas by people in the music industry with a focus on young enterprises who are making a name for themselves with, for instance, creative ideas on digital music marketing or mobile entertainment.Popkomm Classics
Classical musicClassical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
is popular and the market for classical music is growing noticeably. Popkomm tapped into this trend years ago and has made Popkomm Classics a successful part of its concept. Label
Label
A label is a piece of paper, polymer, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or article, on which is printed a legend, information concerning the product, addresses, etc. A label may also be printed directly on the container or article....
s, associations, publishers and classical music media are represented at the Classic Lounge, a place where they can showcase new and innovative trends of the classical music market, and where they can promote an exchange of views by meeting interesting people and holding constructive talks in a relaxed atmosphere. Classical music is also an integral part of the Popkomm Congress. In 2006 the panels discussed innovative educational programmes and the power of classical music. In 2006 "ReComposed by Jimi Tenor
Jimi Tenor
Jimi Tenor is a Finnish musician. His name is a combination of the first name of his youth idol Jimmy Osmond and the tenor saxophone. His band Jimi Tenor & His Shamans published its first album in 1988, Jimi's first solo album appeared in 1994. "Take Me Baby" became his first hit in 1994...
“ celebrated a world premiere at Berlin’s Deutsche Oper.
External links
Other music fairs
- Eurosonic in Groningen, the Netherlands
- MIDEMMidem-MIDEM:Short for Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale, MIDEM is the world's largest music industry trade fair, which has been held annually at and around the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, since 1967...
in Cannes, France - South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, USA
- WOMEXWOMEXWOMEX is an international world music support and development project based in Berlin, whose main event is an exposition held annually in different locations throughout Europe. It integrates a trade fair, showcases, conferences, film market, networking sessions, and awards...
- the world music expo made in Berlin - travels through Europe