Photo Credit: Anthony IcuagoL to R: Stefan Lehmkuhl, Pansy, Dominique Casimir
In September, we told you about BMG‘s live entertainment push in Germany, which has seen the company take a two-year lease on Berlin’s historic Theater des Westens.
The company’s plans for the venue include hosting its own theatrical productions as well as concerts and residencies.
Now, BMG has appointed Stefan Lehmkuhl, who the company calls “one of Germany’s most renowned bookers” to “mastermind” the concert and event program for the iconic venue.
Lehmkuhl has spent two decades curating and producing music events such as Melt Festival, splash!, and Lollapalooza Berlin.
Working alongside him will be event producer Parker Tilghman, known according to BMG, “in Berlin and beyond by their alias Pansy”.
For the last decade they have created underground performance events and club nights in prominent Berlin venues like SO36, Deutsche Oper, Volksbühne, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, and more.
BMG also announced in September the production of Romeo & Julia – Liebe Ist Alles, a new musical from BMG-published songwriters Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer, the creative team behind Ku’damm 56, one of the most successful German musicals of all time.
The live concert and performance series in the 1,700-seat theater is planned from September to November 2023 with further engagements in Spring and Fall 2024.
News of BMG’s live expansion in Germany came two years after the company bought a majority stake in local live music promoter, Undercover.
“Taking a two-year lease on the Theater des Westens was a statement of intent. The appointment of Stefan and Pansy shows the extent of our ambition.”
Dominique Casimir, BMG
BMG Chief Content Officer Dominique Casimir said: “Taking a two-year lease on the Theater des Westens was a statement of intent. The appointment of Stefan and Pansy shows the extent of our ambition.
“Stefan is known for his creative booking and for producing events with visual flair and artistic integrity. With his help we will take the Theater des Westens to an entirely new level and make it a premier entertainment destination in Berlin.”
“We are offering artists completely new opportunities that have not existed in Berlin before in a truly gorgeous setting.”
Stefan Lehmkuhl
Stefan Lehmkuhl said: “I am excited to join in collaboration with BMG as my first consultant and curation project after a two-year hiatus from the industry.
“We are offering artists completely new opportunities that have not existed in Berlin before in a truly gorgeous setting. We are open to collaborating with agents, managers and event organizers, internationally and nationally, even beyond music, and welcome inquiries. I am grateful for Dominique’s trust and look forward to working with her, Pansy and the team at BMG.”
“Early feedback from artists and managers has been positive”, he said, “with particular interest in the residency format.”
Pansy said: “The new format will be of particular interest to established artists who want to present a high-end show at a beautiful venue in the heart of Berlin rather than embarking on a regular tour.
“We look forward to pairing them with local, underground performers that keep our city so special and unique.”
“With the opening of Berlin’s Theater des Westens for live concerts, residencies and performances, the next piece of the puzzle of BMG’s live strategy falls into place.”
Michael Schacke, Undercover`
Michael Schacke, Undercover CEO and responsible for BMG’s live strategy in GSA, said: “With the opening of Berlin’s Theater des Westens for live concerts, residencies and performances, the next piece of the puzzle of BMG’s live strategy falls into place.
“With Undercover as tour and local promoter in GSA and the Taubertal Festival, TDW now adds one of the most beautiful and exciting live venues in Europe that gives us more opportunities to work with artists and their management in the live segment.”Music Business Worldwide
