Tag Archives: Blog

Stage Managing The Conjuring 2025 at Pealie’s Barn

I don’t often get this personal on here, but today I have to. It’s Monday afternoon and I have just come back from my first festival weekend of the summer. I feel exhilarated, emotional, loved, appreciated, and a little tired. This year was my second of joining the team at The Conjuring and there’s not enough big words to describe the feelings it brings.

The heart that is put into these three days of live music is absolutely incredible, Jack, who I met through his spoken word, brings all he’s got to these days, as well as a community he has built over the years and that community is like no other I’ve come across. This gathering of stunning souls welcomed me, a stranger, into their inner circle and made me feel like part of the family.

Together with Dave and Sally and a bunch of brilliant others I managed the stage at the festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, at a venue that made the entire experience even more incredible. I hadn’t heard of Pealie’s Barn before Jack mentioned it to me, and after he did it kept popping up on my social media timelines as friends and musicians were all of a sudden gracing line-ups at the venue. I instantly fell in love with the place, the parlour, the courtyard, the stage, the barn, every nook and cranny of it, and most of all; the people running it. I live and feel fully, everything that passes the revue, it all gets my full attention, so when I meet people that feel like sunshine on my skin, they will get my full attention too. They took care of the sound, manned the bar, baked pizzas, made coffee and breakfast, cleaned, organised and made sure the place was secure.

When organising events, working with a venue is always easier than against them, and the same goes for promoters, Pealie’s Barn got that. The team did everything within their power to accommodate all of those that entered the gates throughout the weekend and helped make the event what it ended up to be; incredible. Now here comes the part we don’t often talk about, something I’ve tried to speak about at a previous job, and got ridiculed for; the post-festival transitional depression.

For three days – in this case – time ran differently, the communal focus had nothing to with the day-to-day, and I surrounded myself with like-minded sunshine souls that all had one thing in common; their love for live music and the goal to use it as an act of revolution. Once I returned to my laptop to check in on emails, PR-campaigns, upcoming tours and life admin, I crashed. The sounds and smells of the festival site had gone, no more breakfast on a barn with a coffee and a book, no more sleeping in the barn, no more exciting buzz from the crowd, fire dancers in the evening, and jokes with the security. The sounds and smells had evaporated and had left me a little empty.

Now I will be back on a festival site again tomorrow, but no festival site is the same, and they all leave me with an emotional hangover and that bit of heartache for the new friends I’ve met who I wish I would see more than once a year. It’s not easy, but a friend of mine recently shared these wise words with me; “Life is a never-ending drama, that’s what comes hand in hand with knowing so many folk and being close to them, but I wouldn’t change it for the world”, and I couldn’t agree more. Although I know that I’ll be fine, and distracted, again soon, don’t underestimate this emotional struggle, and know that it’s not just you who deals with it, I’ve been told we all do. With the enormous highs, come painful lows, but the highs make it all worth it or I would’ve stopped working in events long time ago.

Record Store Day 2025 at Beyond Vinyl

Ever since their move from Newcastle city centre to the west end, Beyond Vinyl has been evolving into what is now a new and eclectic community hub for music and vinyl enthusiasts, so it was no surprise to see an endless queue impatiently awaiting its opening this Record Store Day. Together with David I’d organised a series of in-stores to liven up Record Store Day; I’d booked a handful of grassroots musicians from within and outside of the region to play their songs acoustically.

Local folk musician Oliver Hunt, Americana duo Hels Pattison and Zach Savage, pop rock artist Sam George, and incredible rock’n’roll artist Megan Black graced the stage and brought their mesmerising sounds to an eager audience, making Record Store Day 2025 that bit more magical. This line-up had come together through various circumstances, I’d chosen Oliver Hunt as he was about to release a new single, Hels Pattison has been making waves within the local scene and has got a musical summer coming up, Sam George is about to release his debut EP, and Scottish rockstar Megan Black had just returned from a European tour.

Despite the fact that you might not yet know these artists, behind the scenes they are working very hard to make a name for themselves and to increase their on- and offline following, with myself and Beyond Vinyl aiming to support them in their endeavours. Collaborating with venues, promoters, festivals, and record stores has always been at the core of what I do within the music industry, because bringing together those that work towards the same goal makes for the most inspiring and wonderful of work environments!

Review: On Point Conference at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton

Tees Music Alliance and The Georgian Theatre collaborated on another inspiring music conference. On Point Conference took place on the last Friday of January and inspired me once again as well as connected me to those that inspire me within the northern music industry. The term ‘conference’ might sound intimidating but with a bunch of fantastic professionals and official wingman David Saunders, there’s nothing to be intimidated by.

On the panel about Dual Dynamism several northern industry professionals spoke, Supercat PR’s Matty talked about how it’s important for artists to utilise all social media platforms and to support those that support you in relation to PR specifically. “There’s no right or wrong way, focus on what excites you as a musician.” Radio DJ Shell added to that; “Have a strategy and a plan, block out periods of time for content creation and schedule posts, use the power of a mailing list, and be your authentic self on and offline.” Head of EMI North Scott Lewis highlighted an individual and different approach, “Take a different approach, support each other, and stay true to yourself.” No matter what your social media reach, just having a following most often doesn’t pay the bills, for performing artists live performances, merchandise, and syncs are where the money’s at. Scott continued, “Build a community around you and utilise your friends and family to help you with for example design, photo- and videography. Lean on the fear of missing out and make sure that those who pay for a ticket get a show they won’t soon forget. Make your gigs a social event, an event people want to be at.”

Wipe Out Publishing Marketing Manager Pippa Morgan mentioned the usage of a platform called Archive which pulls footage from social media, as well as a tool to automate direct messages sent to fans. To that, Matty added the data we can pull from streaming platforms, “to have an idea where your fans are based, and your most popular platform will give you an idea of the demographic that enjoys your music and art.” The consensus of this panel came down to how plans can give you a focus, and help you to look back on what you’ve already achieved, making sure you’re not drowning in big hopes and dreams that feel unattainable. On plans, Matty added that they shouldn’t feel like something that could not possibly move or change, but that they give you direction and help you make the most out of for example a new release. “Make sure to have more than one single recorded, so that you’re not stopping and starting continuously. Play as many shows and supports so that you’ll be rehearsed and ready when opportunities come in.”

On the next panel subjects include maintaining momentum, gaining financial stability and taking care of ones well being. A new organisation in the form of BAPAM is introduced to me, next to manager and sync specialist Chelsea Wood, PRS Foundation’s Lloyd Francis, and local artist Nadedja. Nadedja is a great example of an artist who’s been open about managing a work-life-social media balance, “I do what makes me feel good, and focus on a clear goal while trying not to compare myself to others. I choose opportunities that make sense for me and my career.” Chelsea makes sure to know her artists on a personal level when working as an artist manager, “the rat race never stops, so it’s important to zoom out and take time off, even though that might make you miss out on opportunities.” Dan added to that that people, and artists in particular, should act before things get to their worst, if you’re unwell, act, don’t simply push through, because the problem will only get worse.

On maintaining financial stability a common theme was to diversify and multiply income streams, options you have as an artist are to sell merchandise, this could be print on demand to minimise costs, and look at sync opportunities. Chelsea mentioned; “Don’t rely on funding, and think about getting a music lawyer.” Some music lawyers would be happy to work pro bono, and they are well connected within the industry which gives you the opportunity to extend your network. On collaborating with other professionals, audience-member Helen mentioned; “work with people you like and make sure that there is a need for what you’d like to do.” Dan added; “Communicate openly and set boundaries when you’re collaborating. To protect your mental and physical health, reach out to organisations such as Music Minds Matter, and make sure to stretch and warm up before a gig.” To add a last note on maintaining financial stability, Chelsea mentioned to not be afraid of change and to do what works for you as an artist, Lloyd added that PRS supports “risky pivots”, and Nadedja highlighted that not everything has to be for you, and that you have to do what feels comfortable and at the same time excites you.

Conferences might feel overwhelming, but when you take notes, be present, and introduce yourself to new connections, they can make a great deal of difference within your musical, or creative career. On Point Conference, organised by Tees Music Alliance, has always been a favourite, not just because it’s local, but also because of its caliber of speakers. With people that have just graduated, entered the scene, to those having worked within the creative industries for years, they all offer their own experience and perspective, and it’s always exciting and inspiring for me to connect with those that are like-minded and just as passionate as me about working in music.

We need your art

Music and politics are intrinsically entwined. Making music is an act of revolution. Using sounds and lyrics to share your thoughts, your feelings, and your perspectives on the world is a way of inspiring, mobilising others. Artists shouldn’t be afraid and fear what is thought of them, or to be disliked. Music and art should make people think and feel, be that about love, loss, or politics.

The world is on fire, she is burning because of us. We should be angry and up in arms to take back the reigns and show them how to lead compassionately. Our world leaders, they depend on us. Our multinationals, they need our hard-earned money to survive. When you decide to spend differently, their pockets will eventually start to empty. I have written before about part-time punks, and this is an extension of that point of view. What we need is more full-time punks, those truly living and breathing their music, their art. We suffer for our art and passions, because they are what makes us human.

Sadly I recently spoke to a well-known Dutch music journalist who found that artists shouldn’t bring their live show to a stand still to talk about politics. I was rather surprised to hear this from someone who is a fan of bands such as IDLES and Fontaines D.C., very much political acts. Artists have a stage, a platform, to share their views and to educate those that would not have been educated if it wasn’t for their favourite artists, a song they liked, a sound they were able to relax to. Artists, musicians, they decide to share their views, in their lyrics, their ethos, and on their stage. Frankly, I don’t think that anyone has anything to say about what an artist decides to do on stage as it is their show, their programme.

I am a fan of the bands I listen to and enjoy because of what they stand for. Their music, and their views are undeniably connected, and I don’t think they should be seen as separate. It is a privilege to be able to say that you would rather not hear about war, ethnic cleansing, and death. Most importantly, it is a privilege to be able to express yourself artistically, to share your thoughts and emotions into a language we all speak; music. We need your music, we need your thoughts, we need your art.