Richard Jones, manager of Pixies, Agnes Obel, a.o., has been confirmed for a keynote for ESNS 2019. His keynote will focus on the importance of 'direct to fan' and digital sales management. Richard has worked in the music business for over 30 years as an artist, tour manager and artist manager. Starting as a musician, Richard recorded and toured with various bands before moving on to Polygram Records. Richard then went on to manage worldwide tours from the likes of The Spice Girls, The Beautiful South, Björk, PJ Harvey and many more. In 2000, Richard moved into artist and sports management with the creation of Key Sports and Entertainment Ltd.
Richard currently runs the worldwide artist management company Key Music Management representing various clients including the Pixies, Agnes Obel, Dead Can Dance, Teenage Fanclub, The Fratellis, Mew, Jane Weaver, 808 State and The Slow Show. Key Music Management have been constantly at the forefront of the 'direct to fan', digital sales models and the fight against secondary ticketing. During his keynote at ESNS 2019 Richard will go into the importance of successful application of sales and ticketing data and digital sales models in building artist careers.
Additionally MOJO will celebrate their anniversary during ESNS 2019. Although part of Live Nation, the organisation still carries its original name: MOJO. This year the Dutch booking agent and festival organiser celebrates its 50th anniversary. On this unique occasion one of its founding fathers Leon Ramakers, accompanied by the current management members Ruben Brouwer and John Mulder, are willing to share their side of the MOJO (hi)story with the ESNS-audience. Of course, the current MOJO management can come up with countless anecdotes, but more interesting is their view on the current situation and the future developments in the vibrant live music industry.