Fusion Corporate Partners

Lloyds Development Capital has completed the £7.3 million buyout of HMV’s Live Music division, MAMA Group, which is the UK’s second-largest live music business.

MAMA holds over 2,700 events annually in the UK, with up to one million people visiting its venues and 150,000 attending its festivals every year.

The transaction provides a strong platform for CEO Dean James, supported by a very experienced management team, to pursue a focused buy-and-build strategy targeting both UK and overseas opportunities. Future international acquisitions will increase the global influence of the Group and its brands, and enhance the prospect for faster growth from global sponsorship and promotions.

MAMA runs a nationwide network of live music venues with capacities ranging up to 2,300  These include, The Forum, The Garage, Camden Barfly, Jazz Cafe and The Borderline in London as well as the Edinburgh Picture House, the Manchester Ritz and the Birmingham Institute regionally.

MAMA’s stable of festivals includes international music brands Global Gathering, Godskitchen and UK based events Lovebox, The Great Escape and Wilderness, curated in association with Secret Garden Party.

MAMA also owns music magazine The Fly.

LDC has a growing track record in the leisure sector. Recent investments include Boom Pictures, Ocean Outdoors, WRG Creative, and Orion Media.

Alistair Pendleton, LDC Investment Director, comments:

“Live Music is a growing and increasingly important sector of the UK economy and in supporting the MBO of MAMA Group we believe we are backing the best management team and the most recognised, successful brand in the business.

“MAMA Group is renowned for its iconic venues, where some of the world’s most successful music artists have performed and hugely popular music festivals, both in the UK and overseas, which have attracted strong followings and showcased some excellent new artists. Management have an exciting buy-and-build strategy and LDC has the resources, skills and track record to help them accelerate their plans and develop the Group into a globally-recognised business and brand.”

UK, London