Carving a Career in Live Music (with James Spence)

Not all events are booked the same. Some promoters enjoy a professionally packaged tour arriving on their doorstep, others don't mind the challenge of luring over bands who rarely play and then there's Damnation, who want artists to dust off old records and perform them as a world exclusive sets in Manchester. Problem is, that's as time consuming, expensive and as difficult as it sounds. But in the end, is it worth all it? We go again, every Thursday morning.

30 Maj 20241h 21min

There weren’t too many clashes at 2000trees that raised an eyebrow, but the ones that did raised an army! What kind of cruel world forces you to choose between Bob Vylan and Palm Reader? Are they being serious about Gaslight Anthem and Better Lovers? Surely Sean McGowan and The Sleeping Souls is a twisted joke and you’re misreading Frank Turner clashing with Lonely The Brave, right? Right? The man behind the plan, Mr James Scarlett, takes his licks and explains all... even manag...

23 Maj 20241h 19min

The humble catering rider, which surely started life as a simple hot meal for touring band members, has morphed beyond all recognition to a sprawling wishlist, often with no rhyme or reason. Seasoned headline acts can ask for so little while fresh-faced tour supports demand so much, but what MUST be provided and who decides where to draw the line? Like most things in this industry... it's complicated. James and Gav share their experiences, from 24 McDonald's cheeseburgers to "Gollum Juice"...

16 Maj 20241h 31min

One viral photo of Gojira's merch list prices - including an £80 hoodie - sparked a row that refuses to die and lifted the lid on the murky world of merch concessions at venues and festivals. But is it as black and white as greedy venues or promoters dipping their hands into the pockets of hard working bands, or is there a more nuanced conversation to be had about what services are provided in return, from a toilet tour to a major outdoors festival? Do all events approach the issue in the s...

9 Maj 20241h 1min

As the old saying goes, you learn from your mistakes, but that doesn't make those mistakes any easier to deal with! From bogged down loos, stages with no stage managers, the importance of building a team and what weather you can survive and what weather you can't... Gav and James relive some horrors from down the years. And what do we want to see in a band's press pack? We go again, every Thursday morning.

2 Maj 20241h 12min

In the second of our monthly Q&A bonus pods, we try to get through as many burning questions as possible. Our biggest triumphs and screw ups? How has Brexit impacted attracting bands? What happens to our festivals if one of us is hit by a bus? Have we ever been held to ransom by a greedy band? And why didn't Opeth play their full set length at ATG last year? We answer them all. We go again, every Thursday morning.

25 Apr 20241h 27min

The ArcTanGent stage times are out and everyone has been colour coding their digital day plans and having a social media rant about the decisions they've been forced to make. But what does the man responsible for the clashes, which can make or break your weekend, have to say for himself? How did Clown Core and Author & Punisher find themselves pitted against each other? Is Torpor at 11am on the final day really a bright idea? And do fans really want to see both Amenra and Tokky Horror? ...

25 Apr 20241h 7min

Green Lung, Creeper, Brutus, Malevolence, Zeal & Ardor, Bob Vylan, Dinosaur Pile Up, Bleed From Within, Boston Manor... all names we hope to see headline our festivals in the future. But what does it take to get there and why does the path to the top of the bill seem so clear at 2000trees, yet so complicated at ATG and Damnation? Gav and James also have a bash at booking a stage for the other's festival, from the sublime (We Lost The Sea and Tomb Mould) to the ridiculous (Moon Too...

18 Apr 20241h 24min