Artist & VIP protection
Close protection for artists, creators and VIPs
For artists, musicians, creators, streamers and public figures: protection from the hotel, on the drive and all the way to the stage and back, coordinated with management, the promoter and the security team on site.
At a glance
VIP protection in brief
- What is VIP protection?
- Close protection and on-site support for artists and anyone else who is recognised in public: a close protection officer – commonly called a bodyguard – at their side. Their job is to keep shows, appointments and travel running to plan, even when fans, media or onlookers turn up.
- Who is it for?
- Artists and musicians, DJs, creators, streamers and influencers, presenters, athletes and other public figures, as well as their management teams and agencies.
- Typical occasions?
- Shows and concerts, sports events and stadium visits, meet & greets, trade fair and media engagements, IRL streams and shoots, hotel stays, transfers and multi-day tours.
- Working with venue security?
- Yes. Close protection focuses on the person, while the venue's security team looks after the floor and the audience. Routes, access points and timings are agreed in advance with the promoter and the security staff on site.
- What does it cost?
- DERLO bills close protection at a day rate; if it is only needed for a few hours, a minimum of six hours is charged. The amount depends on the duration, the number of appointments and locations, the travel involved, the number of close protection officers and whether a security driver is needed. You receive a quote after the initial consultation.
- Who is responsible?
- Marc Derlich, owner of DERLO Consulting & Protection. He plans every assignment himself, is personally present on most of them, puts the team together and is the point of contact for management and promoters.
A show day
From the hotel to departure
The critical moments of a show day rarely happen on stage. They happen on the way from one place to the next.
Hotel
Pick-up coordinated with the hotel and management, through a quiet exit if needed.
Drive
A planned route, with a security driver on request; arrival time agreed with the promoter.
Arrival
Vehicle access and entry to the artist area, with no waiting in front of the audience.
Backstage and stage
Clear routes between dressing room and stage; access for authorised people only.
Meet & greet
Clear procedures for photos and autographs; close to the fans, without a crush.
Departure
Vehicle ready and route clear before the audience leaves the venue.
Who it is for
For people who get recognised
Artists, musicians and DJs
Shows, club nights and festivals with fans who want to get close.
Typical situations
- Concerts and club gigs
- Festivals and open-air shows
- Routes between hotel, venue and after-party
Creators, streamers and influencers
When online reach shows up in the real world and your locations are public.
Typical situations
- IRL streams and shoots
- Fan meet-ups and meet & greets
- Trade fair and brand appearances
Public figures
Presenters, athletes, speakers and guests with a public profile.
Typical situations
- Galas and award ceremonies
- Media and press engagements
- Sports events and stadium visits
Management and agencies
One point of contact who builds security into production and tour schedules.
Typical situations
- Planning tour days
- Coordination with promoters
- Single dates and longer projects
Services
What VIP protection covers
Tailored to the date, your reach and the setting.
Protection at shows
Protection at concerts, shows and events: arrival, backstage, stage and departure. More about event security.
Meet & greet and fan contact
Procedures that make fans welcome while keeping the situation manageable.
IRL streams and shoots
Protection in public spaces when your location and route are visible live and people turn up spontaneously.
Hotels, travel and tours
Hotel stays, travel days and multi-day projects in Germany and abroad. More about international travel protection.
Transfers with a security driver
Journeys between airport, hotel, venue and appointments on planned routes. More about our VIP chauffeur service.
Coordination with everyone involved
Management, promoter, venue security and hotel know who is where and when, without any details becoming public.
Working together
Part of the schedule, not part of the show.
A show involves many parties: management, booking, production, the promoter, the hotel and venue security. Close protection works well when it fits into these processes instead of creating its own.
That is why times, routes and responsibilities are agreed early. On the day, close protection stays in the background, so that the show and the moments with the fans remain the focus.
- One point of contact for management and promoters
- Coordination with venue security and the promoter's security staff
- Discretion about plans, locations and times
- Single dates as well as multi-day projects
Accountability
Planning and responsibility in one pair of hands.
Marc Derlich plans every VIP assignment himself, is personally present on most of them and remains the direct point of contact for management and promoters. For larger dates or tours, he puts together a team of experienced close protection officers from his network. He has protected artists, including international ones, in Berlin and Frankfurt am Main, among other places, and guests of major sporting events in Munich. As a matter of principle, DERLO never names its clients.
- Certified security and protection specialist (Fachkraft für Schutz und Sicherheit, trained 2017 to 2020)
- Close protection training in Germany and abroad
- Active in close protection since 2020, in the security sector since 2016
- CQB courses, close protection medic training, driver safety training
- International operational experience, including in crisis regions
- Evacuation from crisis regions
- Preparation for travel abroad
- Licensed under section 34a of the German Trade Regulation Act (§ 34a GewO), based in Frechen near Cologne
More services
Pairs well with VIP protection
VIP chauffeur service
Security drivers for transfers and appointments.
Event security
Entry, security staff and backstage.
International travel protection
Protection when travelling and on tour.
Close protection Cologne
Protection over a longer period.
Escort protection
For individual appointments and occasions.
Event organisers & agencies
Artists, VIP guests and backstage.
Frequently asked questions about VIP protection
How much does VIP protection cost?
DERLO bills VIP protection at a day rate; if it is only needed for a few hours, a minimum of six hours is charged. The price depends on the duration, the number of appointments and locations, the travel involved, the number of close protection officers and whether a security driver is needed. After the initial consultation, you receive a specific quote.
Does DERLO work with the venue's security team?
Yes. Venue security and the promoter's security staff look after the floor and the audience; close protection looks after the person and their routes. Access, timings and responsibilities are agreed beforehand.
Does DERLO also provide protection during IRL streams?
Yes. During IRL streams, location and route are often visible live, and people turn up spontaneously. Close protection plans routes and fallback options and stays out of shot as far as possible.
Are multi-day tours possible?
Yes, in Germany and abroad. For tour days, hotels, transfers and venues are planned together with management.
How quickly can an assignment be arranged?
Short-notice enquiries are possible. Whether a date can be covered at short notice depends on the scope, the location and availability. The quickest way is to call or message us on WhatsApp.
Does DERLO give references?
No. As a matter of principle, client names are never published. Marc Derlich is happy to talk about his experience and approach in person.
Who books – the management or the artist?
Either is possible. Often the management or the promoter makes the enquiry; the contact person during the assignment is then whoever was agreed in advance.
Request VIP protection
Briefly tell us the date, the location and the type of appearance. Marc Derlich will get back to you personally and in confidence.