FKP Scorpio

In January 1981, aged 17, Folkert Koopmans promoted his first concert for a local band named Amuthon in Marienhafe, where he grew up.{{cite web |last1=Gottfried |first1=Gideon |title=Folkert Koopmans - Pollstar News |url=https://news.pollstar.com/2022/11/22/folkert-koopmans/ |website=Pollstar |access-date=2023-02-24 |date=2022-11-22 |issn=1067-6945 }} After dropping out of Hochschule Emden/Leer, Koopmans moved to Hamburg, where he worked as a booking agent for Große Freiheit 36 and Docks.{{cite web |last1=True |first1=Holger |title=Der Mann, der die Stones nach Hamburg bringt |trans-title=The Man Who Brought The Stones To Hamburg |url=https://www.abendblatt.de/hamburg/von-mensch-zu-mensch/article211788369/Der-Mann-der-die-Stones-nach-Hamburg-bringt.html |website=Hamburger Abendblatt |publisher=Funke-Mediengruppe |access-date=2023-02-24 |language=de |date=2017-09-02 |issn=0949-4618 }} He founded "SCORPIO" Konzertproduktionen GmbH in October 1990, named after the Scorpio zodiac sign.

In 2000, a band named SCORPIONS sued Scorpio, claiming that the similarity of the name could cause confusion. Folkert and the band eventually settled, renaming his company FKP SCORPIO Konzertproduktionen GmbH (FKP standing for Folkert Koopmans Presents).{{Cite news |last=Irler |first=Klaus |date=2010-09-19 |title=Konzertveranstalter Folkert Koopmans über Festivals: "Die Superstars werden weniger" |trans-title=Concert Organizer Folkert Koopmans On Festivals: “There Are Fewer And Fewer Superstars” |language=de |work=Die Tageszeitung |url=https://taz.de/!5135458/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |issn=0931-9085 }}

In 2013, Koopmans promoted Stephan Thanscheidt to co-CEO and partner of the business.{{Cite news |last=Masson |first=Gordon |date=2023-10-03 |title=Stephan Thanscheidt’s journey to FKP Scorpio CEO |work=IQ |url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2023/10/stephan-thanscheidts-journey-to-fkp-scorpio-ceo/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |issn=2633-0636 }}

In 2014, FKP acquired Finnish booking agency Fullsteam.{{cite report |author= |date=2017-05-24 |publisher=Business Register System |title=Jahresabschluss zum Geschäftsjahr vom 01.01.2014 bis zum 31.12.2014 |quote=Die Tochtergesellschaft hat in 2014 ferner 100 % der Anteile an der finnischen Konzertagentur Fullsteam Agency Oy erworben. }}

In 2017, CTS Eventim bought a 50.2% stake in FKP Scorpio, effectively acquiring the business.

In November 2017, FKP's Hamburg offices were raided by the Hamburg Dienststelle Interne Ermittlungen (internal investigations department) after an anonymous tip-off that the company offered 100 free tickets for a Rolling Stones concert to the Hamburg-Nord district office that approved said concert.{{Cite web |last1=Fengler |first1=Denis |date=2017-11-16 |title=Bezirksamt Nord: Razzia wegen Rolling-Stones-Freikarten |trans-title=Northern District Office: Raid Over Rolling Stones Free Tickets |url=https://www.welt.de/regionales/hamburg/article170663552/Razzia-im-Bezirksamt-wegen-Rolling-Stones-Freikarten.html |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=Die Welt |language=de |issn=0173-8437}} The so-called "Freikarten-Affäre" (Free Ticket Affair) ended in the district chief being fined and no bribery charges being found on FKP's behalf.{{Cite news |last=Knödler |first=Gernot |date=2022-04-08 |title=Hamburger Freikarten-Affäre: Nur noch Geldstrafen |trans-title=Hamburg's Free Ticket Affair: Only Fines |language=de |work=Die Tageszeitung |url=https://taz.de/!5848313/ |access-date=2023-09-06 |issn=0931-9085}}

In 2020 and 2021, FKP expanded its operations in the booking agency space. FKP Scorpio acquired Nordic Live in January 2020. At the time they represented over 60 artists including Alan Walker, Ina Wroldsen and Kurt Nilsen.{{Cite web |last1=Bøe |first1=Eivind |date=2020-01-14 |title=Tysk konsertgigant tar over store deler av Nordic Live |trans-title=German Concert Giant Acquires Majority Of Nordic Live |url=https://e24.no/i/3Jwl9L |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=E24 Næringsliv |language=nb }} In the same month, Koopmans launched the All Artists Agency "full-service agency", after CTS were blocked from acquiring the Four Artists Agency.{{Cite news |last=Chapple |first=Jon |date=2017-11-27 |title=Eventim under investigation as Four Artists buy blocked |work=IQ |url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2017/11/cts-eventim-investigation-four-artists-blocked |access-date=2023-09-09 |issn=2633-0636 }} It also formed a partnership with Berlin-based agency Area One in April 2021, named FKP Area One, which specialises in rock/metal acts.{{cite report |author= |date=2022-01-10 |publisher=Business Register System |title=Jahresabschluss zum Geschäftsjahr vom 01.01.2021 bis zum 31.12.2021 |quote=Ebenfalls im April 2021 wurde eine Mehrheitsbeteiligung an der deutschen Konzertagentur FKP Area One GmbH erworben. }}

In 2024, FKP's UK subsidiary merged with indie promoter Communion Presents, forming "Communion ONE".{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dave |date=2024-03-25 |title=UK Promoters Communion and FKP Scorpio Announce Merger |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/touring/communion-fkp-scorpio-merger-europe-1235640528/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326094504/https://www.billboard.com/business/touring/communion-fkp-scorpio-merger-europe-1235640528/ |archive-date=2024-03-26 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Billboard |language=en-US |issn=0006-2510}}

FKP operates a number of festivals, namely:

• Since 1997: Hurricane Festival
• Since 1998: Highfield Festival
• Since 1999: Southside Festival
• Since 2000: Chiemsee Summer,{{Cite news |last1=Linneweber |first1=Katja |date=2009-08-14 |title=Chiemsee Reggae: Interview mit Folkert Koopmans |trans-title=Chiemsee Reggae: Interview with Folkert Koopmans |language=de |work=Münchner Merkur |url=https://www.merkur.de/bayern/chiemsee-reggae-interview-folkert-koopmans-zr-441987.html |access-date=2023-02-26 |oclc=724789943 }} M'era Luna Festival
• Since 2001: Indian Summer Festival (Netherlands)
• Since 2003: Malakoff
• Since 2005: Greenfield Festival
• Since 2009: Plage Noire, Rolling Stone Beach
• Since 2010: Elbjazz
• Since 2012: Deichbrand{{Cite news |last1=Unruh |first1=Jan |date=2011-08-17 |title="Deichbrand"-Crew kooperiert mit "FKP Scorpio" |trans-title="Deichbrand" Organizers Partner with "FKP Scorpio" |work=:de:Niederelbe-Zeitung |url=https://www.cnv-medien.de/news/deichbrand-crew-kooperiert-mit-fkp-scorpio.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |language=de |oclc=724155517 }}
• Since 2013: Metal Hammer Paradise, Best Kept Secret
• Since 2014: Tuckerville, Provinssirock
• Since 2015: Where's The Music?, A Summer's Tale, Sideways Festival
• Since 2019: METAStadt Open Airs
• Since 2022: Tempelhof Sounds,{{Cite news |last=Yorke |first=Ana |date=2022-05-18 |title=Tempelhof Sounds Revives Berlin's Festival Appeal in June |work=PopMatters |url=https://www.popmatters.com/tempelhof-sounds-berlin-festival |access-date=2023-02-24 |oclc=1122752384 }} Meadowlands,{{Cite web |last=Gallop |first=Joe |date=2021-09-22 |title=FKP Scorpio to debut Meadowlands Festival in 2022 |url=https://accessaa.co.uk/fkp-scorpio-to-debut-meadowlands-festival-in-2022/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=Access All Areas |language=en-GB |oclc=1109575570 }} Rosendal Garden Party, Syd For Solen, Aairport, Loaded, Live Is Live
• Since 2023: Lido Sounds Festival

FKP Scorpio also formerly operated Danish festivals Tinderbox and Northside with Down The Drain Holdings, from 2015 up until it sold its stake to DTD in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Chapple |first=Jon |date=2018-04-16 |title=FKP Scorpio parts ways with Tinderbox and Northside |url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2018/04/fkp-scorpio-sells-stake-tinderbox-northside-down-the-drain/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=IQ |language=en-GB |issn=2633-0636 }}

FKP Scorpio have promoted concerts for a number of notable artists, including The Rolling Stones, Roger Waters,{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Ben |date=2023-02-22 |title=German Politicians Step Up Demand for Cancelation of 'Antisemitic' Roger Waters Concert Tour |work=Algemeiner Journal |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/02/22/german-politicians-step-up-demand-for-cancelation-of-antisemitic-roger-waters-concert-tour/ |access-date=2023-02-28 |issn=1084-4317}} and the Foo Fighters.{{Cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Rhian |date=2017-05-09 |title=German promoter FKP Scorpio hires Freddie de Wall as COO |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/german-promoter-fkp-scorpio-hires-freddie-de-wall-coo/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US |issn=2632-5357 }}

FKP has a close relationship in particular with Ed Sheeran, having promoted him in Germany since 2011, early on in his career.{{Cite news |last=Gottfried |first=Gideon |date=2022-02-09 |title='Relieved And More Than Satisfied': Q's With FKP Scorpio CEO Folkert Koopmans |website=Pollstar |url=https://news.pollstar.com/2022/09/02/relieved-and-more-than-satisfied-qs-with-fkp-scorpio-ceo-folkert-koopmans/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |issn=1067-6945 }}

FKP have previously organised musicals like "Mein Freund Wickie" and wrestling shows. Since 2008, it has also run the "Palazzo" Dinner theaters across Germany.{{Cite web |title=Stephan Thanscheidt – ILMC 34 |url=https://34.ilmc.com/speaker/stephan-thanscheidt/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=International Live Music Conference |language=en}}{{cite magazine |last1=Masson |first1=Gordon |date=2015-11-06 |title=Palazzo: In-tents Entertainment |page=32 |url=https://issuu.com/gregiq/docs/iq62 |format= |language=en |magazine=IQ |location=London, UK |publisher=ILMC/Suspicious Marketing |access-date=2023-09-12 |via=Issuu |issn=2633-0636 |issue=62 }}

In 2008, FKP created the subsidiary FKP Ausstellungs und Betriebs ("Exhibitions and Operations", now FKP Eventservice), primarily to operate the Beatlemania Hamburg museum, which operated 2009-2012.{{Cite magazine |last=Mentz |first=Miriam |date=2012-06-07 |title=Beatles-Museum in Hamburg muss schließen |trans-title=Beatles Museum In Hamburg To Close |language=German |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.de/beatles-museum-in-hamburg-muss-schliessen-353374/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |issn=1612-9563 }}

In 2013, FKP Scorpio launched its "Grün Rockt" (English: Green Rocks) suistainability initiative with the aim of reducing waste and emissions at its festivals. Since 2013, it has published a report for each festival detailing how much waste was produced and an evaluation of its sustainability measures.{{Cite web |last=Emmers |first=Kevin R. |date=2023-02-22 |title=Müllaufkommen und Nachhaltigkeit: Festivals sind besser als ihr Ruf |trans-title=Waste Management & Sustainability: Festivals Beat Expectations |url=https://frontstage-magazine.de/2023/02/22/muellaufkommen-und-nachhaltigkeit-festivals-sind-besser-als-ihr-ruf/ |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=Frontstage Magazine |language=de-DE}} One of these measures, Trasholution, aims to gamifies recycling. FKP donate 1€ for each bag of waste collected by festivalgoers to local social projects; the live results are displayed on site.{{Cite web |last=Conrads |first=Simon |date=2023-06-19 |title=Southside 2023: Mehr als 10.000 Säcke: Wenn die Southside-Fans gehen, hinterlassen sie oft große Mengen Müll |trans-title=Southside 2023: More Than 10,000 Sacks of Trash: When Southside Fans Leave, They Often Leave Large Amounts Of Trash Behind |url=https://www.suedkurier.de/baden-wuerttemberg/mehr-als-10000-saecke-wenn-die-southside-fans-gehen-hinterlassen-sie-oft-grosse-mengen-muell;art417930,11612091 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Südkurier |language=de |oclc=1184800329 }}

In 2022, FKP launched a new subsidiary named FKP Show Creations, a production business focused on "musicals, shows, family entertainment and opera."{{Cite web |last1=Malt |first1=Andy |date=2022-03-22 |title=FKP Scorpio launches FKP Show Creations |url=https://archive.completemusicupdate.com/article/fkp-scorpio-launches-fkp-show-creations/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111180038/https://archive.completemusicupdate.com/article/fkp-scorpio-launches-fkp-show-creations/ |archive-date=2023-11-11 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Complete Music Update |language=en |oclc=226089383}} Since renamed FKP Scorpio Entertainment, the division has produced licenced shows that have toured worldwide, for brands like Formula 1, Disney, Jurassic World and Minecraft.{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Christopher |date=2024-07-15 |title=From Formula 1 to Minecraft, FKP Scorpio Entertainment ups its game |url=https://accessaa.co.uk/from-formula-1-to-minecraft-fkp-scorpio-entertainment-ups-its-game/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Access All Areas |language=en-GB}}

{{reflist}}

Category:Entertainment companies established in the 1990s

Category:Entertainment companies of Germany

Category:Companies based in Hamburg