The Site Build
James, his fellow Trees organisers, trusted crew and a small army of 40 volunteers have descended on Upcote Farm in preparation for scores of bands and 15,000 music lovers who will follow suit in two weeks' time. But what exactly goes into prepping a massive outdoor festival? From who puts in the Sainsbury's order to feed and water the entire team on day one, to who clears the sticks from the forest, to counting power points and checking batteries in the power tools, James breaks down...
26 Juni 1h 38min
Carving a Career in Live Music (with James Spence)
There's more poor musicians out there than rich ones and depressingly, even being a founding member of the incredible Rolo Tomassi isn't going to pay the bills. James Spence explains how he clawed his way out of the hospitality trade to make a career in the music business work, between booking bands, repping shows and touring. He also spills the beans on plans for Rolo's special 20th anniversary set at this year's ATG. But before all that we have Outbreak to discuss, Damnation's latest ann...
19 Juni 1h 45min
Two Old Men Vs Sugar Horse
The gloves are off as OAPs Gav and James take on International Men of Talent, Sugar Horse, over their problematic clash at ATG. Shots have been fired, jokes have been missed and insults hurled... now it's time for our Super Subs to settle it. First though, is the new Turnstile album the worst thing ever uploaded to Spotify? Should we ditch Ghost for Creeper? And are Dimscûa the greatest thing to happen to UK metal this year? Maybe, yes and yes... We go again, every Thursday ...
12 Juni 1h 47min
Fortress Frolics, Cost Cutting & ATG Clashes
Burzum, beans and budgeting... we're all over the gaff this week as Gav returns from Fortress Festival in Scarborough a shell of a man and James comes to terms with some difficult decisions with the ATG site plan as well as explaining some clashes. And is it the pit security's job to save fans from a hospital trip or do you crowdsurf at your own risk? P.S. There's also Kneecap. We go again, every Thursday morning.
5 Juni 1h 24min
Metallica, Machine Head and Meal Deals - Q&A 13
The drinks are flowing as the mailbag is plundered for a good ol’ fashioned Q&A. Gav and James tackle secret sets, the latest Metallica tour, favourite festival memories, worst Machine Head records and of course, meal deals. Cheers. We go again, every Thursday morning.
29 Maj 1h 45min
Talking Headliners
Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Corrosion of Conformity and Napalm Death are FINALLY announce to top the festival bills... but it wasn't plain sailing. In fact, it was a series of sleepless nights aboard SS Nightmare which left Gav and James wondering whether "headliners" for events likes Damnation and ArcTanGent are really worth the effort at all? There's also James being accosted at the school gates about his views on Kneecap, a Dragged Into Sunlight boxset and two headline offers from Eyeso...
22 Maj 1h 30min
The Industry with Meryl Streek
Irish punk Meryl Streek has bagged a unique hattrick of bookings at Trees, ATG and Damnation this year. But for one-man live revolt, who refuses to play the music industry game, how has he found himself being embraced by the those on its fringes, from the promoters and press to politically driven young students and crusty old grindcore fans? He discusses picking up the mic after 15 years behind the drumkit, winning over "Mr John Lydon" while touring with PiL and pissing people off in as can...
15 Maj 1h 29min
How Much We Made on Tour
The settlements have been paid, the bank statements have been printed off and the spreadsheets collated. Exactly how much were Gav and James paid on their debut tour and how much of it did they spend, and on what exactly? The importance of merch sales, thinking outside the box to drum up extra income and keeping James as far away from hipster coffee shops as possible. £226 on taxis for three drunks and £20 so Gav can have a nap in Birmingham is just the tip of the spending spree. ...
8 Maj 1h 35min
