Warner Music Spain has acquired 100% of Halley Records, the Barcelona label behind Oques Grasses, adding a recorded music business to its operations in Catalonia.
News of the acquisition emerged on 9 October. Financial terms and the exact closing date have not been disclosed.
Ownership and leadership changes
Halley’s three founders have ceased serving as joint administrators. The company has been renamed Cosmic Sound, and its new board is chaired by Andrés Rothschild of Warner Music Iberia.
Maria Blay, Marc Isern and Ixent Sampietro founded Halley in Barcelona in 2015 through the merger of Èxits Management, Lizardqueen Music and Vibra Comunicació.
In its latest financial year, Halley recorded revenue of 1,6 million euros and an after-tax profit of 138.569 euros. Its catalogue includes Els Amics de les Arts, Txarango and Els Catarres, alongside Oques Grasses.
Warner’s operations in Catalonia
Two years ago, Warner acquired 100% of The Project, the concert promoter founded in 1988 by Tito Ramoneda and Joan Roselló.
The Project organises more than 700 concerts and attracts around 500.000 spectators annually. Its events include:
- Barcelona Jazz Festival
- Guitar BCN
- Porta Ferrada
Warner also formed an alliance with Èxits in late 2023. The Halley acquisition adds a record label to the group’s concert promotion and artist representation businesses.
Warner Music Spain recorded revenue of 90,1 million euros and profit of 10,7 million euros in the financial year ending in September 2024.
Oques Grasses’ farewell shows
The acquisition coincides with the farewell of Oques Grasses, the band from Osona, which sold out four consecutive nights at Barcelona’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys between 7 and 10 October.
Oques Grasses became the first artist from Spain to sell out four dates at the stadium, matching Coldplay.
Spain’s recorded music business grew by 11,6% in the first half of the year, according to Promusicae. Warner’s US parent is reviewing its portfolio and recently sold German retailer EMP.
