Marc Nickts, director of the Society of Music Authors, Composers and Editors (SACEM), joined Stephen Steps Loew in the RTL Today Radio studio to chat about SACEM and the highly successful year it has been for Luxembourg's music creators.
At SACEM's general assembly, they presented figures showing more than €1.7 million distributed to local artists for music played in Luxembourg and abroad. "It's a big number", Nickts said, explaining that about 1,000 people received royalties from a community of 2,000 author-composers.
Nickts explained that the higher payouts reflect Luxembourg music is "vital and representative, and is in good shape", adding that each year more than one hundred new artists join SACEM Luxembourg.
SACEM Luxembourg collects royalties not only for local artists, but also for the worldwide repertoire played in the country. "We have in total numbers more than €6.5–7 million that we collect for the worldwide repertoire here in Luxembourg", Nickts stated, which reflects the ever-growing reach of Luxembourg-produced music abroad.
Not all artists are obliged to join SACEM, Nickts said, but managing rights independently is complex. "Some people just want to handle their rights on their own, but then it's complicated to negotiate individually with RTL or with other users." For artists focused on Germany, GEMA may be a better fit, he explained.
Royalties are also collected for music played at concerts, in shops, bars, and public spaces. "Everything, every location that is open to public – and you use music as part of your environment – then it's under license", Nickts clarified. Playing music privately, however, does not require a licence.
Community-building events like the bi-annual SACEM Hangouts help connect people in the music industry. "It's now the sixth edition of SACEM Hangouts, a moment where the local community can meet, have a drink and just talk about the music", Nickts said.
The event is open to all, not just musicians.
Membership is now fully digital, making it easier for new artists to join. "The whole process to become a member is now fully digitalised, so you can do that all in a few steps by having just one song released", Nickts shared.
Catch the full chat between Marc Nickts and Steps:
Marc dropped by to explain what Sacem does for all those registered and working within the music industry in Luxembourg
The next SACEM Hangout on Thursday takes place at Mirador, Montée de Clausen, from 6pm to 9pm, and all members of the music community are welcome.
