Have you ever wished you were part of life-changing tech innovations in their early stages, like Facebook or Google? Imagine sitting in a room with those who invented social media or blockchain, exposed to their vision, present in their brain storming dynamic.
Born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Pérez was immersed in a vibrant culture, which he later introduced to the European continent. His journey began at the famous Mangu Disco Bar in Punta Cana, where he started as a stagehand before becoming a bartender. Observing the powerful impact of music on audiences proved invaluable as he transitioned into his role as a promoter.
In 2008, Pérez moved to Switzerland with his wife, seeking new opportunities. Initially, he took on odd jobs—washing cars and working in construction. However, by 2009, he found work as a bartender at the Latin Palace Club in Zurich. Two years later, he convinced his boss to let him organize parties at the club. Despite early skepticism, Pérez succeeded in transforming Sundays, typically the slowest day of the week, into a hit—turning those nights into a phenomenon that transcended Switzerland.
His next logical step was booking live artists, and in 2011, he seized his first opportunity with a Gente de Zona concert. Overjoyed, Pérez spent the entire event celebrating from the front row. But success didn’t come without challenges. In 2017, while organizing a J. Balvin show at Stadthalle Dietikon, the unauthorized use of the artist’s name to promote an afterparty nearly derailed the event. Despite these hurdles, the concert was a resounding success, teaching Pérez crucial lessons about the legal complexities of the music industry.
Another pivotal moment was the production of the Zion & Lennox concert. Despite slow ticket sales and pressure from the directors of Mainland Music, with whom Pérez was working in co-production, to cancel the show, Pérez remained committed to his vision of strengthening relationships with major Latin music artists. He decided to personally absorb all potential losses and proceed with the event, which turned out to be one of the finest of his career. His persistence caught the attention of Edgar Andino, who at that time was the manager of Zion & Lennox. Andino, one of the pioneers responsible for elevating and bringing iconic groups like Wisin & Yandel, Don Omar, and others to success, introduced Pérez to Walter Kolm, one of the most important figures in Latin music management. Although Andino no longer works with Zion & Lennox, the relationship between Pérez and Kolm remains key to his career trajectory.
In 2018, Pérez organized a Maluma concert at Zurich’s Hallenstadion, selling out 15,000 tickets. Following this triumph, he parted ways with Mainland Music to focus on expanding his company, Old Music Group. Operating across several European countries—including France, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland—the company diversified into concert promotion, festival organization, and talent management under the brand Old Music Live. In 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pérez’s hard work earned the trust of Walter Kolm, and Pérez successfully managed Maluma’s European tour across seven countries, selling out every show and generating over €4.5 million in gross revenue.
For Pérez, success is not measured by luxury or wealth but by creating a platform where artists can grow their careers and connect directly with fans. However, his journey has been far from easy. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely strained OML financially. By 2023, further difficulties emerged when production issues and poor ticket sales forced the cancellation of several events, including the much-anticipated Trapeton Summer Bash Festival in Poland.
These cancellations put OML in a precarious position. “I felt completely devastated,” Pérez admits, reflecting on a time when financial collapse seemed imminent. Desperate for support, he turned to long-standing ticketing partners, only to be met with silence. This experience opened his eyes to the inequities of the traditional live event business model, which favors large agencies and leaves promoters at a disadvantage.
Determined to change the status quo, Pérez began developing a new vision: a fair and equitable business model that benefits fans, artists, and promoters alike. Today, he is working on a revolutionary platform designed to democratize access to live events through innovative technology and transparency, ensuring a more just distribution of income and opportunities. We plan to launch the first prototype of the platform in 2025 and are seeking investment funding to bring this project to its full potential.
Renelio Pérez continues to prove that with passion, vision, and relentless hard work, it is possible to transform the music entertainment industry. He not only takes it to new heights but also creates opportunities for emerging artists. His early experiences—honed from the streets—are central to his success as a promoter, and his story remains a beacon of inspiration for many.