Emsar Music Management’s Neighborhood

Back in New York this week and next for the Global Marketing Conference, so it's all about meetings, meetings, meetings... but when is it ever not.  Looking forward to some of the upcoming performances but all will be revealed in my next blog and hopefully I'll pick on some good stories along the way!

Last week Wyclef was in town for a intimate performance at a chi-chi club in the West End to launch his new album.  He went down a storm; it was a brilliant night carnival style. The rum flowed and so did the hangovers the following day. This album is jammed pack full o hits and he couldn't squeeze more stars on one record if he tried - the collaborations include Norah Jones, Michael McDonald, Paul Simon, Akon and Mary J Blige. 

Coming up next week:  one of our exciting new bands the Sugarush Beat Company are performing at AKA (The End) next Wednesday and J Lo's breezing into town for a media event. 

Now, I'm off to a meeting. 

Back in New York this week and next for the Global Marketing Conference, so it's all about meetings, meetings, meetings... but when is it ever not.  Looking forward to some of the upcoming performances but all will be revealed in my next blog and hopefully I'll pick on some good stories along the way!

Last week Wyclef was in town for a intimate performance at a chi-chi club in the West End to launch his new album.  He went down a storm; it was a brilliant night carnival style. The rum flowed and so did the hangovers the following day. This album is jammed pack full o hits and he couldn't squeeze more stars on one record if he tried - the collaborations include Norah Jones, Michael McDonald, Paul Simon, Akon and Mary J Blige. 

Coming up next week:  one of our exciting new bands the Sugarush Beat Company are performing at AKA (The End) next Wednesday and J Lo's breezing into town for a media event. 

Now, I'm off to a meeting. 

Been away on holiday, now back and returning straight into the thick of it with a quick trip to Sweden to see Justin Timberlake and Natasha Bedingfield who's opening for JT on his current European tour. Natasha was in the studio with Billy Mann, the songwriter/producer, working on some new material which they seemed extremely excited about.  Both the shows were great and looking forward to the O2 shows in a couple of weeks. 

It's been an exciting week with some great results on our new band The Hoosiers.  Their song Worried About Ray is currently No.5 at itunes and building quickly.  Check out the video.  This band is going to be huge!

Last weekend Beyonce played at Wembley Arena - she was incredible.  The production value on the show is probably her best yet and every time I see her she just gets better and better.  The audience was amazingly broad and everyone loved her.  It was a pleasure to present her at the beginning of the night with a disc for her album achievements.

We’ve had Kelly Rowland in doing promotion in this week from the US.  She's absolutely delightful, worked like a trouper and was exceptionally appreciative of all the hard work the team had done.  It's artists like this that make the job so much more pleasurable.

On Wednesday I travelled over to to see George Michael play at the RDF Outdoor Arena.  Amazing night, the weather was incredible and the 25,000 fans enjoyed every minute.  Saw George briefly before the show and he was on excellent form and looking forward to the upcoming Wembley shows where he plays the first ever concert in the stadium.

Ida maria 1

Ida Maria - very exciting hot new artist signed through our affliation with the Waterfall label.  Already won best unsigned act in Scandinavia.

"...she reminded me of the 80's icon Chrissie Hynde in her no-compromise attitude and stage presence.  Great songs, outstanding vocal performance, don't be surprised if you hear a lot about Ida Maria in time to come..."

http://www.myspace.com/idamariahome

Just returned from Vegas where we had the Global Management Meeting at Caesars Palace which was really productive apart from one night at the roulette table... let's just say I'm not a gambling man! 

Our own Natasha Bedingfield performed - she was absolutely incredible.  She flew in just for the day to perform.  She's really raised her game and I know everyone was very impressed. 

We also had performances from R Kelly who appeared in the club Pure and presented us his brilliant new album, and on the final night we all went to see Celine Dion; an incredible show and amazing to think she's been there for 4 1/2 years!

It was a real bonding experience for the whole company and exciting to see all the new initiatives that are being taken on a global level.  With some great presentations from third party companies and fantastic music to come it felt like the company was finally united.

Until next time!

Went to see Sam Beeton last night at The Fly.  It’s the first time I’ve seen him in quite a few weeks - the set list had been changed and everything was so much tighter.  The first 6 or 7 songs I watched I was thinking “wow we really have something special here”.   He’s really raised his game. Coupled with some mixes starting to come in on the record and confirmation that we’ve got the Album Chart Show this is really starting to shape up.  A big one for the future!

A packed evening starting with meeting Natasha Bedingfield with her managers to go through some future plans at The Electric.  This record's really starting to take shape - Natasha's willing to work very hard to make this happen. 

From there I headed down to the Shepherds Bush Empire where we had two bands playing - The Hoosiers and The Fray.  It's the first time I'd seen The Hoosiers in a while and they didn't disappoint.  The crowd were exceptionally welcoming for a support band they'd never heard of.  It really felt they we were at the start of something big.  The band were their usual excitable selves after the show! 

Then came The Fray.  Amazing to think that three months ago no one in the UK really knew who this band were and people were singing along to various tracks from the record.  I think we've just scratched the surface with the first single and I'm sure this is going to be one of the biggest records of the year.

Travelled to Chicago to see Pink and Justin Timberlake who are currently on tour together. The show was amazing, both artists went over well and the crowd couldn't get enough. I managed to spend some time seperately with both Justin and Pink on their tour buses to and from the show. They were both in great form and excited to bring their own shows back to the uk, Justin opening the O2 and Pink is performing on summer festivals including V.

Greg Laterman from Aware records was also in town who manages The Fray so we managed to spend some time which proved to be fruitful. Got back to the hotel after the show about midnight and headed out at 6am to catch a plane to New York.

TIRED!!!!