Breaking news: SFX Entertainment buys 75% stake in ID&T

/

Quoted from the New York Times:

"On Thursday, SFX Entertainment will announce that it has bought 75 percent of ID&T, a Dutch festival promoter, for $102 million in cash and stock. The deal, perhaps the biggest in the market so far, will give SFX a major foothold on the global festival circuit as it tries to build a $1 billion media empire centered on dance.​"

​ID&T, the company behind such major festivals as Tomorrowland/TomorrowWorld and Sensation, is now primarily owned by Robert Sillerman's SFX Entertainment. This deal now values ID&T at $136 million. SFX Entertainment recently made headlines by purchasing Beatport for a reported $50 million. The purchase of ID&T now firmly establishes Robert Sillerman's SFX Entertainment as a global leader in the electronic dance music industry.

Another little tidbit gleaned from the article is that Live Nation is reportedly in "advance stages of takeover talks" with Insomniac, the company behind Electric Daisy Carnival. If this sale comes to pass then this will leave SFX Entertainment, Live Nation, Made Event, and Ultra as the only big players left on the American landscape.

Could a Canadian EDM company be next on the acquisition radar? SFX Entertainment and ID&T have already announced their entry into to the Canadian market with the announcement of Sensation Canada so anything is possible. Judging by the speed of acquisitions made by SFX Entertainment, I wouldn't be surprised if they announce the purchase of one of Canada's largest EDM companies such as Ink Entertainment, Prodkt, Playground, or Blueprint Events in the future.


Jon O'Bir retires from DJ/Producing

/

From his Facebook page:​

"Hello… and goodbye.

After 12 years, I've decided to move away from DJ'ing and producing. I lived the dream in those 12 years, too many highlights to mention, but include playing at some of the most amazing events, being resident of GodsKitchen, having a show on BBC Radio 1, being invited to do the Essential Mix and of course the two albums 'From Within' and 'Music Database'. A big THANK YOU to all who have helped me along in my career, you know who you are and of course to you, who listened and watched me during what seemed this unreal moment in my life, I could not have done it without you. I will be moving on to another exciting project, but I'll still be working closely for our events and label company, Infinity.

Details of my last few gigs to come soon, I hope to see some of you there, but for now, I'll leave you with one of the highs. Midnight, NYE 2005, New York City on my 21st birthday. One of many golden memories."​

Best of luck on your future endeavours Jon O'Bir.