November 14, 2008

By By Wolfgang Spahr, Berlin

Live music in Germany generated revenues of ?2.8 billion ($3.54 billion) in 2007, according to the first full survey of the country's live entertainment business since 1995.

According to the survey by Nuremberg-based research company GfK, music events accounted for some 70% of revenues and 82% of ticket sales during 2007, with the remainder including comedy, cabaret and theatrical performances. In total, the live entertainment sector generated revenues of ?3.87 billion ($4.89 billion).

Music's share of that total overshadows the ?1.6 billion ($2 billion) in trade value reported by IFPI for the recorded-music industry in 2007. The survey, conducted on behalf of the Hamburg-based German Federal Live Entertainment Association (IDKV), found that stage musicals accounted for the largest individual segment of live entertainment revenues with a 21% share (?813 million/$1.03 billion).

The survey also revealed that 53% of all Germans attended one or more music performances last year and a total of 127.3 million tickets were sold for all live performances. Ticket-buyers over the age of 50 bought ?1.9 billion ($2.4 billion) worth of tickets, 49% of the grand total.

According to GfK, concert-goers paid an average of ?44 ($56) per ticket for rock/pop concerts and ?60 ($76) for musicals.

Subscribe to Billboard magazine today!