x

The latest industry news to your inbox.


I'd like to hear about marketing opportunities

    

I accept IQ Magazine's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

feature

The New Bosses 2018: Kevin Jergenson

Beginning a series of interviews with IQ's 2018 New Bosses, Kevin Jergenson is agent to HER, Suicideboys, Kamasi Washington and more at ICM Partners in Los Angeles

By IQ on 02 Oct 2018

Kevin Jergenson, ICM Partners

Kevin Jergenson


The New Bosses 2018 – the latest edition of IQ’s annual list of future live business leaders – received a rapturous industry response following its publication in IQ 78, with friends and colleagues of the winning ten agents, promoters and other rising stars rushing to congratulate the class of 2018.

In putting together the list, 2018’s New Bosses gave IQ lengthy interviews spotlighting their careers so far, as well as insights into their working methods and tips for those hoping to follow in their footsteps. While these were (owing to the limitations of a print magazine) edited heavily, they’ll be reproduced in full online and on IQ Index over the coming weeks.

First up is 29-year-old Kevin Jergenson, an agent with ICM Partners in Los Angeles. A native of Los Angeles, Jergenson graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in business management. During his studies, he was accepted into ICM’s summer internship programme. Interning for now-mentor, Scott Mantell, became a full-time job, which led to Jergenson being promoted to co-ordinator, and then agent in 2016.

 


What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently routing tours for artists such as HER, $uicideboy$, Kamasi Washington, Gus Dapperton, Blackbear, Roy Wood$ and Masego. HER will be playing 1,500- to 5,000-cap. rooms across Europe, including two Hammersmith Apollos in London. $uicideboy$ will be playing 1,500- to 4,000-cap. rooms across Europe, 2,000-cap. rooms in Australia, and 750- to 1,500-cap. rooms in Asia, and they just finished a run of European festivals which includes plays at Blockfest, Pukkelpop, Lowlands, Hip Hop Kemp, Reading and Leeds Festival and Hype Festival.

Kamasi just wrapped up a European festival run which included shows at Wilderness, Beat Yard, Haven, Way Out West and Flow, before heading to Asia to do a hard-ticket run and Summer Sonic. Gus Dapperton will be coming back to Europe this spring to do a headline run in 300- to 1,000-cap. rooms. This summer he played on such festivals as Great Escape, Dot to Dot, We Love Green, Le Magnifique Society, This is Not a Love Song, Best Kept Secret and Body and Soul. Blackbear and Roy Wood$ will be going into 1,000- to 5,000-cap. rooms across Europe, and Masego will be playing four festivals in Asia next year including several hard-ticket shows in the market.

What has been the most exciting event you have been involved with in 2018?
Having HER sell 5,000 tickets in London her first time in the market without an official album out was incredibly exciting to see and be involved with.

What advice would you give anyone who wants to get into the live music business?
I would let them know that this business is a true grind, and that nothing comes easy. It takes a lot of time and effort to build a quality business for yourself, and that you should always be eager to keep learning. I learn a lot from my colleagues on a daily basis, which in turn only helps my business and my clients.

“Representing an artist properly takes a village”

Where is the most exotic place that your work has taken you?
This summer I covered Haven festival in Copenhagen and Lowlands in the Netherlands.

What’s the biggest lesson that you’ve learned while at ICM?
Representing an artist properly takes a village. As a full-service agency, our clients are not only looking to be represented for touring, but also film and television, branding, digital, etc. I am extremely fortunate to work with some amazing colleagues who really help us touring agents surround our clients in all areas of the business.

What do you do in your spare time to relax?
Believe it or not, I still truly love going to concerts and music festivals. Spending time at these events with friends, and not having to think too much about work, is still a great escape for me. Outside of that, I am never one to pass up on a good meal and wine with great friends.

What do you see yourself doing in five years’ time?
I see myself still being an international touring agent at ICM Partners.

 


Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.