ESBJERG, Denmark (CelebrityAccess) — Esbjerg Municipality and Musikhuset Esbjerg announced a new partnership that will see Musikhuset take on operations at the Danish concert venue, Tobakken.
Under the terms of the agreement, Tobakken will officially re-open its doors on August 1st with a concert multi-genre concert lineup that will appeal to broad audiences but with a focus on younger fans.
The deal includes 3 years of subsidies to bolster operations at the venue with the municipality contributing NOK 5.9 million annually while Musikhuset provides programming in the venue’s large hall, small hall, and on the café stage.
Other provisions in the agreement include a requirement that Musikhuset leave 40 free days on the calendar each year to allow local community groups and youth organizations to use the venue and the establishment of an advisory forum with representatives from music associations in Esbjerg Municipality who will provide input on programming.
Additionally, Musikhuset/Tobakken must submit a detailed annual accounting of how the municipal subsidy is used.
News of the planned re-opening of the venue comes a little more than a year after Tobakken filed for bankruptcy and shut its doors. The 1,200-capacity venue, a former tobacco factory, has been hosting concerts since 1993.