Geffen
Concert promoter Marek Lieberberg brings Celine Dion
to the Blaisdell Center Arena this week.
Music man
From pop to rock, Lieberberg
By Tim Ryan
has a mission to be No. 1 in providing
good vibrations
Star-BulletinWHEN Marek Lieberberg sees an opportunity he doesn't simply reach for it, he pounces. The former Associated Press reporter turned concert promoter -- Germany's largest -- is feeling pretty voracious about Hawaii's music concert future.
"I am looking at being the No. 1 promoter in this market and if that doesn't work, then Hawaii's top tourist," said Lieberberg, 51, of Frankfurt, Germany, and Wailea, Maui. "Without trying to be arrogant, I didn't come here to be second."
In other words, though Lieberberg is very careful to not mention any names, "Watch out Tom Moffatt!" and other promoters.
Music legends have gushed about Lieberberg in several European newspaper and magazine articles.
Marek Lieberberg:
"I am looking at being the No. 1 promoter in this market
and if that doesn't work, then Hawaii's top tourist. Without
trying to be arrogant, I didn't come here to be second."
"An icon in the industry," says Jon Bon Jovi. "His heart is almost as big as his mouth ... more fun than most of the people he promotes," says Bono, lead singer for U2. An "honest and demure gentleman through and through," says Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.Lieberberg and his wife Ingrid live four months a year on Maui, which they have been visiting for 18 years, still conducting his European business from Hawaii. The couple's two grown children live in Europe.
"For some time I've been looking at the way concerts are done (in Hawaii) and I know there's room for a new promoter with new ideas," Lieberberg said.
Lieberberg last year brought in Bush for concerts on Oahu and Maui, and this week there's Celine Dion -- currently the most popular pop singer in the world -- who performs two sold-out shows at Blaisdell Arena. He also plans to bring in Aerosmith this spring and hopes to get Van Halen later in the year. By the end of 1998, Lieberberg hopes his company, Marek Lieberberg Konzertagentur, is as prominent in Hawaii as it is in Europe.
Marek Lieberberg Konzertagentur's activities not only focus on promoting major international touring acts, management and the production of artists and theatrical highlights, but also stage festivals, musicals and help to develop new talent.
Lieberberg founded Mama Concerts in 1970, and headed the Frankfurt office for 16 years, when he left to create his own company. Before that he was current affairs editor for AP in Bonn and Berlin.
"I still consider my learned profession as being a journalist; my passion is music," he said.
He caught the music virus at 16 when he formed a rock band. When he became a reporter he would sometimes write about the music scene. Then someone asked Lieberberg to help promote concerts for performers like Eric Clapton and Wilson Pickett.
"I didn't have one penny when I started 30 years ago," he said. "I would put up all the posters around town, take tickets, set up the band's equipment.
"In 1970, when I did my first concert with The Who, I drove my old VW in front of their bus to make sure they would arrive at each city on time."
If Lieberberg is anything in conversation, it's frenetic and diplomatic. He takes great pains to ensure the listener understands exactly what he means, and he knows when to stop just short of offending someone.
It's not that other promoters here are doing promoting wrong, only that he can do it better. He is unwavering about this.
Geffen
Concert promoter Marek Lieberberg plans to bring
Aerosmith to the isles this spring.
"Hawaii is not really connected to the entertainment world. A lot of acts are brought here by outside (promoters) and even Hawaii's so-called major promoters are not really known to the music community outside of Hawaii except as collaborators with mainland counterparts.
"I am not a secondary impresario because I promote my own shows. I have close relations with many, many artists. I ... can deliver more personalized service."
Many of the major groups performing in Hawaii have their own tour promoter who then essentially subcontracts to local promoters in a specific region. Local promoters are then paid a set fee. That may eliminate some of the financial risk, Lieberberg said, but also eliminates local autonomy and, often, the consumer suffers.
"I promote the whole concert solely and take all the risk. I'm used to paying my own tab."
Lieberberg has heard all the stories about the difficulty of doing business here.
"Whether it's Aloha Stadium, Blaisdell Arena or the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, everyone here has been very helpful and open to our company," he said.
Still, Lieberberg isn't naive about some innate difficulties of promoting concerts in Hawaii, primarily the state's remote location.
"There's always the concern that tours might be canceled or delayed here because Hawaii is so dependent on other markets like Asia. We are vulnerable to that. And certainly getting a large amount of equipment here is extremely expensive.
"I think venues need to be upgraded slightly. A modern arena would do Hawaii a lot of good in enhancing more business."
Lieberberg, who particularly enjoys "introducing" new bands to the public, says what Honolulu really lacks is "a proper club venue" that holds about 600 people.
"Honolulu needs a place where new talent can be seen on a regular basis. New talent is what builds a breeding ground for expanding to do bigger things."
The obvious advantage of Hawaii is its natural beauty, which allows performers to combine business with pleasure, Lieberberg said. Dion, an avid golfer, will spend 12 days in Hawaii, including five on Maui vacationing.
Lieberberg believes there are too many "stargazers and yea sayers" in the promotion business.
"I'm the devil's advocate, the person who tells the downside, the potential risks."
Should Hawaii promoters be worried about Lieberberg entering the market?
"I hope. Worry creates creativity and creativity is good for the business ... If I'm the thorn in the flesh of people I'm happy with that."
Concert notes
What: Celine Dion
