Articles - International News

Please note: This article was released on the 3rd June 2011.

Swedish House Mafia manager Amy Thompson shed light on the qualities required to land a high profile DJ residency in Vegas this week, telling Pacha Ibiza’s music conference IMS that being able to attract ‘lots of young, wealthy entrepreneurs’ is key.

"There is no love [in Las Vegas] for growing credible music, they are interested in what sells, and right now that is electronic music,” she candidly told delegates.

"Money talks in Vegas,” she added, "If your act was not bringing in big takings then they wouldn't be getting booked." (Guardian: http://bit.ly/kilzeF )

The explosion in celebrity DJ residencies in Vegas prompted Las Vegas Journal Review critic Mike Weatherford to ask this week whether the city’s undergoing a tipping point in DJs becoming the new Rihanna/ Billy Joel equivalents, also concluding ‘look at the economics’.

“The DJs are surely cashing big checks, too, but they have no production costs. No crew, no gear to tote around. They use the club's sound and lights,” he noted.

“In that respect, they are more like stand-up comics.”

USA Today critic Kitty Bean Yancey also concentrated on the money.

“I've been hearing this for months -- deejays are super-hot -- but the problem is that unlike Garth, Celine, or even Lady Gaga, I have no idea who most of the deejays are. Or what they're playing,” she admitted.

“But that's OK. They're big with the party people who pack Vegas night spots, so much so that some get six figures for spinning.” (USA Today; http://usat.ly/iqfIjV )

Article by Jonty Skrufff: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff

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