Sanctuary acts as live booking agent for Robbie Williams

Sanctuary, which owns the biggest live booking agency outside the US, saw its pre-tax profits rise 19.7% to �17m.

It prides itself on being the only company to be involved in all aspects of the music industry - from tours to artist management and releasing CDs.

The UK live music scene is said to be in its healthiest financial state ever.

And Sanctuary said it had the best year for live music in its history, booking 7,000 gigs across Europe, Asia and Australasia.

Do you think 2003 was the best ever year for live music?

The turnover for Sanctuary's artist services arm - which includes management, the live agency and merchandising - reached �63.8m in the year to 30 September 2003.

That was up from �36.8m in the previous 12 months.

Chairman Andy Taylor said: "Live performance continues to be a key driver in the success of an artist's career.

"And each year brings ever more innovative ways for artists to create revenue from their music, through merchandising, ringtones, downloads and sponsorship."

Sanctuary has been going since 1979, when it was launched as a management company for Iron Maiden.

It has now grown into what its founders describe as a unique "360 degree" music company.

It has steadily expanded over the years, moving into all major areas of the industry when most companies concentrate on one aspect - such as releasing records or managing artists.

It has built up its record label with establish artists who have loyal fans but are often not wanted by major labels - such as Morrissey, Alison Moyet and the Pet Shop Boys.

And in October, Beyonce Knowles' father sold his music management company to Sanctuary for $10m (�6m).

Involved

Phil Hardy, editor of industry newsletter Music and Copyright, said Sanctuary's success was down to building a successful back catalogue and being involved in all parts of the industry.

When most bands go on tour, their record companies have little to do with the related activities, and get little out of them, he said.

"But Sanctuary is involved in all these bits - so when Iron Maiden go on tour, Sanctuary can organise the record and organising the merchandising all at the same time."

Last week, the Performing Right Society recently said the British live scene was in its healthiest financial state ever.

It said it expected to take �10m from live shows in 2003, the highest figure since it was set up 90 years ago.

Do you think the British live music scene is healthier than ever? Have you been going to more gigs in the last 12 months? This debate is now closed but please see below for a selection of your comments.

I saw Robbie at Murrayfield and the Stereophonics at SECC and both were fantastic. Last year was great for live music, so many acts but not enough money! Role on 2004.
Jo, Belper, Derbyshire

I suppose things are looking up, the Darkness seem to have it sussed but I don't think any band will come close to Led Zeppelin live. That's my opinion from the DVD only, unfortunately I'm 21, I wish I was 30 years older!
Paul, Coventry, England

2003 was an excellent year for gigs. Saw Feeder and Stereophonics (twice each). Robbie at Knebworth was spoilt by the time took to get there and the time to get out. But the highlight for me was Paul McCartney at Earl's Court. Great atmosphere and fantastic music. Hopefully 2004 will be just as great, hoping to see some of the above again as well as concerts by Oasis, The Darkness, Foo Fighters and Eric Clapton.
Sam Miller, Hastings UK

I saw Robbie Williams, on his last night in Sydney. Absolutely phenomenal. By far the best enetertainer out there in the industry. If Robbie continues with the music scene, 2004 looks to be a very exciting and promising year for Mr Stoke-on-Trent Williams!
Jaymi Winters, Sydney, Australia

The Rolling Stones 40 Licks and Robbie Williams world tour were THE events of the year, nothing bigger has happened (apart from Glast ) since Live Aid. I was lucky to see Robbie Williams in Barcelona and I have never been to a big stadium gig with such intimacy and energy.
Paul Griffin, Barcelona, Spain

2003 was by far the busiest for me, as an avid concert-goer, I ended up going to 78 gigs. There are definitely more bands touring these days, the quality is improving and there are more venues appearing. 2004 will be excellent, and it's good to see some US bands beginning to return to these shores also.
Gareth Fraser, Paisley

I've personally been to more gigs in the past 12 months than ever before. Here goes..

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Chris Rea, Bryan Ferry, Paul McCartney (3 times), Simply Red (twice), Mel C, Erasure, Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, Glenn Tilbrook, Level 42, Jools Holland, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Colin Vearncombe, REM, Robbie Williams, Rolling Stones (twice), Limp Bizkit, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Kelly Rowland, Sting, Bob Geldof, Craig David, Pavarotti, Ocean Colour Scene, Duran Duran, Def Leppard, Flaming Lips, Jane's Addiction, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Stereophonics, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Linkin Park, Fleetwood Mac, Blur, Radiohead, Human League, Simple Minds, Iron Maiden, UB40, The Stranglers, Sheryl Crow, Meat Loaf and Justin Timberlake.

So yes, you could say it was a good year. What was that? Pardon? I can't hear you . . . :-)
Huw Lynd-Evans, Mansfield, UK

I don't usually go to concerts or live gigs, but I was at Knebworth and it was amazing. It was an experience rather than just a gig. Not just Robbie, but the whole day - The Darkness, Ash and Moby were all excellent as well. (Kelly Osbourne... hmm... less said the better).
Megan, Nottingham

2003 was undoubtedly a great year for live music. Saw quite a few bands play live, although two really stuck out for me: Coldplay at Earl's Court, and the Strokes at Alexandra Palace. Obvious choices perhaps, but blinding all the same.
Colin, Nottingham

How about the unsigned band scene? There are only a limited number of places to go and watch decent young hopeful bands in London due to the 'Live Music Tax' venues have to pay. Outrageous, cashing in on art in that way!!!
Dave Beauclerr, London

I went to see Robbie Williams on the last day of Knebworth and he was absolutely spectacular! If that is anything to go off for live British music, it can't get any better!
Bex, Lancashire England

Depends what you mean by successful. Financially yes, but as with records the turnover is huge, the number of artists creating it is small. The live music circuit in this country is actually on its knees. In the past a band could start in tiny pub venues, graduate up to 5-800 capacity clubs, then to the 2000 capacity venues, arenas and if very successful stadiums. Nowadays most artists stall at the first hurdle, or jump straight to the 2000 capacity city halls or even arenas.

The clubs with capacities between 600 and 1500, once the mainstay of the live circuit, now miss out, having to put on artists who can't fill them in order to keep the doors open. This is a direct result of labels pushing a small number of acts only and giving most signings no chance of developing. Big business owns all aspects of the music industry now, including most of the large venues, and the genuine music fan who doesn't want to encounter sleep deprivation by sitting in a cold arena listening to unchallenging elevator music from Dido, Will, Coldplay and the like is the one who is missing out.

It may be making money but it is also destroying something very close to many people's hearts.
Martin Tibbetts, UK

In 2003 I saw Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Shane McGowan, Beth Orton, Rolling Stones, Ryan Adam and Patti Smith to name but a few. 2003 was definitely a great year for live music!
Ed Tombs, Woking, Surrey

The British music scene is as healthy as it always has been. If you actually look around then there are always lots of bands playing near you. I try and go out to see live bands at least a couple of times a month whether they are small unsigned bands or big 'name' bands. Just take a look around and you'll find someone exciting. More does need to be done to help small, new bands at the grassroots level though. As someone that plays in a band I know how hard it is to get a chance to play. But when it happens it is great fun.
Mark, London, England

REM, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan, Bob Weir, and of course the festivals!...2003 was one of the best years ever for live bands (and ticket touts!) Hopefully 2004 will also meet standard set last year!
Pete, Ilford, Essex

I attended one of Robbie Williams's concerts at Knebworth - it was outstanding. I also saw Bruce Springsteen at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, that was special too. I think if you make the effort, it's possible to see some really exceptional recording artistes.
Antony Forst, Stoke on Trent England

2003 was a superb year for live music, an improvement on even 2002. This has been due in part to the increase in fans involvement in the promotion of gigs. The chief result has been more high profile European acts, who may enjoy huge success in other parts of the continent but remain relative unknowns here, playing debut shows on British shores. With ever increasing numbers of music fans willing to put their money where their mouth is and either contributing towards bringing bands across, running festivals or promoting gigs, 2004 shall be yet another vintage year for live music in Britain.
Dave Cameron, North London, UK

Hardly. Little originality or innovation, probably due to the Pop Idol phenomenon, has stifled talent in the music business to such a degree that all we seem to see on the live music circuit is the same old acts peddling the same old stuff. Go to any number of summer festivals and see roughly the same line up. Where's the stage for the many new acts which never get any exposure cos there's more money to be made out of Will Young, Coldplay et al?
Dave Wright, Oxford, UK

It was a good year, good to see bands such as the Darkness, the Thrills and others break through with good live acts.. Rolling Stones leading the way of course. Let's hope for more of the same in 04, a comeback for U2, the Chilis and some more refreshing live dates for Joss Stone and other breakthru artists would be nice.
Ash, Nottingham, UK

Personally when U2 tour is the greatest time for live music, but still 2003 was a good year for the music industry. Saw Stereophonics and The Thrills last year, and would have liked to gone to a Coldplay or Darkness gig, along with seeing the bands which played festivals.

2004 looks to be another good one! :-)
Phill, Warrington