According to reports, EDM megastar Calvin Harris & Las Vegas nightlife brand Hakkasan Group are expected to announce a deal very soon that will lock the "Blame" producer in for reportedly three years and will net Harris $400,000 a gig. Calvin Harris is currently a resident at Hakkasan and was the DJ there on New Year's Eve, where you could have gotten a table for $500,000. Harris will also be reportedly playing shows at Hakkasan and Omnia Nightclub, the newly opened club in the Caesars Palace, which boasts a DJ roster of Afrojack, Armin van Buuren and Martin Garrix.
That is a ridiculous price tag per show no matter the artist, especially when most people are there just to drink and hook up. However, Calvin Harris is one of the biggest draws in dance music (and in any genre), with his Coachella 2014 performance drawing the second largest crowd in festival history. A night with Calvin Harris at Hakkasan can run anywhere from around $30-$150, depending on the weekend and your gender (guys pay more then girls).
Already raking in $66 million last year alone, according to Forbes Cash Kings list, Calvin Harris will be able to throw more fat checks onto his money pile. However, according to askmen, Harris won't be the highest paid DJ on the strip -- Avicii takes home that honor and paycheck.
The funding was provided by Abu Dhabi's wealthy investment arm Tesameem, which provides the cash for Hakkasan's lavish spending on top-flight DJs.
Hakkasan has been making it rain large checks recently. They purchased a 90% stake in Morgans Hotel-owned Light Group, which operates Light Nightclub and 1 Oak. Hakkasan announced its 2015 lineup with Tiësto making a return with familiar faces like Above & Beyond, Steve Aoki and Hardwell, but also new names Tchami, Don Diablo and others.
The challenge will be to try and maintain profits and continue growing the brand without raising prices so high as a result of skyrocketing DJ fees. It is an arms race to try and get the hottest and biggest acts in Vegas and the buyers that include Hakkasan Group, Wynn and Drai's (among others) are willing to pay.
© 2024 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
