“Everything Music” from 1994: Gadget turns 30

It all started 30 years ago in the warehouse of a paint shop that was an agency for artists. Founded in 1994, Swiss live entertainment company Gadget – today known entirely as Gadget abc Entertainment Group AG – is celebrating its 30th anniversary from May to September with a range of formats that “span the entire spectrum of the Gadget universe”, presenting “ progress and development made over the last 30 years.”

Gadget operates based on a 360-degree business model, unique on the Swiss market. As Christof Huber, Gadget’s partner and director of festivals and events, said Poll star“We act as a promoter of concerts, shows and festivals, but we also act as a management company representing some of the most important Swiss artists. Additionally, we actively engage in brand activation across our events and talent pipeline.”

We spoke with Huber last November, when he and the other four Gadget partners – Stefan Wyss, Cyrill Stadler, Eric Kramer and Oliver Rosa – were nominated for the 2023 Impact International Awards presented by Pollstar and VenuesNow.

Impact International UK/Euro: Gadget abc Entertainment

Gadget hosts approximately 500 shows annually, owns six festivals and represents a multitude of artists – all of which helps attract approximately 600,000 audiences each year for unforgettable live experiences and launch the careers of emerging artists, supporting them at all stages.

When Gadget was founded in 1994, daily communication was via letters, faxes and landlines. Even back then, artist management
and booking were the backbone of the fledgling company. Subzone i
Lovebugs are two examples of artists who helped Gadget shape the Swiss music scene.

Since 2005, in addition to its own label and publishing operations, Gadget has added live entertainment and entertainment marketing divisions. In 2018, Gadget and Rozbero Management, founded by Oliver Rosa, merged into Gadget Entertainment AG.

In 2020, after years of successful collaboration, Gadget joined forces with WePromote, a promoter network founded in 2015 that is responsible for some of Switzerland’s best-loved festivals, including OpenAir St.Gallen. CTS Eventim purchased a 60% stake in this newly formed company and incorporated André Béchir’s abc Productions, creating the full-service agency Gadget abc Entertainment Group AG, as it is known today.

See: CTS Eventim takes over majority shares in the newly established Swiss Live Entertainment Company

Gadget’s 30th anniversary celebration, which runs through September, gives fans the chance to win live experiences that can’t be bought — from exciting behind-the-scenes shots at festivals to an exclusive drinks reception over the rooftops of Zurich during Unique Moments at the Landesmuseum on the right to a visit at the artist Gadget and an invitation to Taylor Swift’s sold-out concerts at Letzigrund Stadium,” we read in the press release.

The highlight, however, has to be the ‘Everything Music Pass,’ giving you access to all Gadget performances and festivals throughout the year.”

The celebrations culminate in September with a birthday party attended by employees, pioneers, artists and friends.

On the occasion of the anniversary, the official name of the company will be changed
to Gadget Entertainment Group AG, effective from July 1, supplemented by the slogan “Everything Music”.

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