Complaining About Concert Licensing Fees In Indonesia, Promoters: Even Firefighters Must Be Paid

Discussion at the 2025 Indonesian Music Conference (Ivan Two Men/VOI)

JAKARTA - Dino Hamid as Chairman of the Indonesian Music Composite Association (APMI) revealed the complexity of licensing music concerts. This was conveyed during a discussion at the Indonesian Music Conference (KMI) which was held at The Sultan Hotel & Residence, Central Jakarta on Thursday, October 9.

According to Dino, the number of permits taken care of has forced the promoter to spend a larger amount of money to hold a music performance. In many cases, the promoter even has to spend money on firefighters (damkar).

"When we talk about promoters, we are business owners (business owners). What we do is investment. It's like a payer, we pay anything, until we pay for the make-up," said Dino.

"We pay the permit until the Parks Service, we also pay the fire department. If we don't pay, the permit doesn't come out," he continued.

Dino, who has worked on several music performances abroad, explained that licensing in Indonesia is still very much and complicated, different from other countries that are more concise and easy.

"Hopefully it can make it easier for promoters as well, because there are 12 to 13 permits. If possible, it will be summarized into 3 permits, if possible, only 2 permits, permission to perform the rights with the license for the event," he said. .

The amount of costs incurred for licensing, said Dino, had an impact on many promoters who had difficulty paying royalties for performing rights.

Dino said the royalty collection system for music concerts in Indonesia so far, was carried out after the event was over. On the other hand, the promoter actually lost money from the concert that was held.

"And all this time, he has always billed it at the end. Meanwhile, he knows the tagline is the promoter, tail but famous'. I'm sure, when asked by anyone, there are more who lose than the profit. Sure, I guarantee it," said Dino.

"So all this time, when the loss continues to be billed (royalti), it's hard, even vendors don't get paid," he said.