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Kilimanjaro to expand comedy ventures, promotes Tilley
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 4 June 2013
UK-based tour promoter Kilimanjaro yesterday announced that it was stepping up its activity in the comedy space by hiring the former GM of the [PIAS] comedy business, and that Steve Tilley, part of the firm’s team since 2008, was becoming a director and minority shareholder. The developments come just over a year after the live company’s management, led by CEO Stuart Galbraith, bought founding shareholder AEG Live out of the business, taking the firm into independent ownership.
Commenting on its first year as an independent player, Kilimanjaro said in a statement yesterday: “Despite the current economic downturn, the company has had an excellent start to this next phase of its development, working with major established artists such as Robbie Williams, The Rolling Stones, Andrea Bocelli, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Donny & Marie Osmond, as well as seeing investment in developing artists begin to bear fruit with the likes of Bastille and The 1975”.
Having previously promoted live shows in the UK for comedians like David Sedaris, Louis CK and Jerry Seinfeld, Kilimanjaro is now looking to further expand into the ever lucrative world of top-end stand-up comedy, with Andy Townsend, formerly with [PIAS] Comedy UK, on board to help develop that side of the business. This will include co-promoting a number of shows at this August’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Elsewhere, long-time Kilimanjaro man Steve Tilley will become a director of the company. On that, Galbraith said: “Steve has been instrumental in the success of Kilimanjaro through the development of new acts such as Ed Sheeran, Band Of Skulls, Example and also as the booker of Wakestock and Belladrum Festivals, as well as diversifying into comedy with David Sedaris. Steve has had a very successful period professionally and Kilimanjaro will now benefit from his dedication and experience across the whole company”.
