#115 - Is the Force Majeure Clause in the Contract the New Normal?

In this very special episode, we talk with Jack Forman who serves as Executive Vice President of BiCoastal Productions, the New York City-based concerts and theatrical booking agency. We talk about the Force Majeure Clause in contracts, an often-overlooked section where an actual "Act of God" situation can interrupt, postpone, cancel a show, or even an entire tour. With the current COVID-19 epidemic going on worldwide, it's affecting the music business on many levels, including the acts that Jack's agency is representing. We discuss what agents are having to do in order to keep tours alive, along with what are the new dates they're all looking at with regards to getting the bands back on the road. We also discuss what the future of the live music industry is going to be (with an estimated $12.2 billion in revenue in 2019). Are non-linear streaming platforms going to be the new way to be entertained? Are millennials becoming the "Netflix & Chill" society? Are shows going to become an interactive experience? What is the future of the booking agent? And ultimately is the Force Majeure clause in contracts going to be something all promoters and buyers look at with a whole new understanding. BiCoastal Productions roster includes Lee Rocker (of Stray Cats fame), Naturally 7, Colin Mochrie's HYPROV (of Whose Line is it Anyway?), The Hit Men (Legendary Rock Supergroup), Scotland's Red Hot Chilli Pipers and The Daily Show Writers Comedy Tour. Originally spearheading the agency's coverage of the Western United States, Jack now oversees the core agency staff and global touring strategy. He remains actively involved with industry organizations like the Western Arts Alliance (WAA), North American Performing Arts Managers and Artists (NAPAMA), and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP). Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (an avid Packers fan) Jack attended Chicago's Columbia College with a focus in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management while also working at The Windish Agency (now Paradigm) with Indie & Electronic music agents. After college, Jack was recruited to ICM Partners' New York City branch in the Urban Concerts department and he would later join BiCoastal Productions, adding to the growing team led by Ron Gartner & Fran Heller. Jack currently lives in Long Branch, NJ with his wife, Shelly, and their baby girl, Jeanette. www.bicoastalproductions.com The Business Side of Music ™ © 2020 Beyond the Music Produced & Hosted by Bob Bender  Creator & Technical Advisor (the man behind the curtain): Tom Sabella Audio Engineer (one really cool guy): Jim Tennaboe Director of Video (the brains of the entire operation): Deborah Halle Lighting Director (the inventor of video): Mark Pleasant Recorded at: The Coffee House and Underground Bunker in Franklin, TN Mixed & Mastered at: Music Dog Studios in Nashville, TN Website: businesssideofmusic.com  Stream or Download (free) businesssideofmusic.com  To submit to be interviewed: [email protected] Sponsorship information businesssideofmusic.com/sponsor-affiliate/ Join our mailing list for show announcements, career advice, industry discounts, free gifts and more.  Like Free Special Thanks to Tom Sabella and Traci Snow for producing and hosting over 100 episodes of the original "Business Side of Music" podcast, and trusting us to carry on their legacy. For our disclaimer and all its details, please click on the applicable link on our website. Our music today is provided my Marc Jordan "Wild Horses" off of his "Both Sides" CD Project www.marcjordan.com