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2 Promoters, 1 Pod — Music
2 Promoters, 1 Pod

ArcTanGent and Damnation organisers, James Scarlett and Gavin McInally, discuss the good, the bad and the downright ridiculous of promoting festivals.

Copyright: © 2024 2 Promoters, 1 Pod

Latest Episodes:

Damnation and a Day Oct 31, 2024

It's here...Damnation is tomorrow, Gav is stressed and James is ready to go big.
Gav chats us through some of next year’s Damnation plans, and boots off about lanyards and car number plates. Whilst James gets stuck into some questions and talks about whether he is mid feud with Bloodstock or not.
We go again, every Thursday morning.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The BIGGEST Trees announcement EVER! Oct 25, 2024

Five headliners for three nights with an unbelievable reunion coup on top?
2000trees dropped an atom bomb of a band announcement and it exploded over every self-respecting rock fan’s socials.
Gav and James quickly reconvened for an instant reaction pod to the news the Kneecap, Pvris, Taking Back Sunday, Coheed & Cambria, Alexisonfire AND Million Dead will invade Upcote Farm in 2025.
But nothing is ever completely without a little ballache with the billing!
Enjoy some rare Friday fun.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

It's a Sick New World - Q&A 7 Oct 24, 2024

Gav and James dive back into the virtual mailbag to address the most pressing concerns of the listeners.
Would we allow an artist to "curate" our festivals? What's our thoughts on oversold shows? And why did James have the police at his door earlier this year?
More importantly, is Gav really going to slag off the mighty Black Sabbath?
First though, can we all just take a moment to discuss THAT Sick New World line-up poster!?

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Fan Denial: Ahab v Dragged Into Sunlight Oct 17, 2024

The Damnation clashfinder is out and Gav is ready to take his licks as the fans demand to know what idiot clashed Dragged Into Sunlight with Ahab and why?
But before the slot by slot lines-ups of A Night of Salvation and Damnation can be explained there's some Trees headliner news, a change of ArcTanGent's Wednesday plans and another late cancellation for Gav to contend with.
And is it a face cloth or a flannel?

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Band Manager with Andy Farrow Oct 10, 2024

Let's get down to business. And who better than to pour over the industry spreadsheets, receipts and album charts than Mr Andy Farrow, manager of the likes of Opeth, Devin Townsend, Paradise Lost and Katatonia?
The Northern Music Company boss talks promoting to publishing, The Wildhearts to Oceansize and the chances of ever seeing Strapping Young Lad again.
Get your pen and paper ready, this is a crash course in music management.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Karnivool to Kylesa: ATG 25 Oct 03, 2024

The first wave of bands have been announced for 2025, and it's a tsunami worth diving into.
Karnivool, Melvins, Rolo Tomassi, Kylesa, Between the Buried and Me playing Colors, The Fall of Troy playing Doppelgänger and not just one, but two We Lost The Sea sets, including "the greatest post rock album ever"... Departure Songs.
Plenty to get swept away by but first, what's the issue with international bank transfers, music award bashes and agents selling you a dummy!
Curly fucking Wurly, indeed.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Tour Manager Torment Sep 26, 2024

When you're up to your eyes in it on show day a friendly tour manager can save your mood but an aggressive tour manager can ruin it.
But what is a tour manager, why are they so important to bands and why do their roles and attitudes vary so wildly?
Gav and James do their level best to describe the role before sharing their experiences of dealing with the good, the bad and the downright ridiculous sides of the hard-grafting TM.
And what the fuck are ginger shots?

We go again, every Thursday morning.

After The Booking (Advancing) Sep 19, 2024

You've made your offer for the band, it's been accepted and even the ballache of billing the poster might have been settled... but now what?
There's a series of hurdles to deal with before your prized booking ever sets foot on your stage; press and promo, backline, production, hotels and ground transport and did you remember there's no onion or garlic allowed in the hot meal?
Gav and James pick through the pitfalls of "advancing" any band and explain that even when everyone appears to be on the same page, maybe the drummer hasn't read the memo.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Q&A#6 - "Gender equality, Deftones records and Trap" Sep 12, 2024

Gav and James commit 90 minutes to catching up with as many questions as they can to clear the backlog... and fail miserably.
Slam Dunk taking a gender balancing beating from the BBC, the pressures of Damnation mounting, a film review no one asked for and an unprompted Deftones discography chat take centre stage instead.
Oh, and there's some questions from listeners to finish the pod off.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Dynamic Pricing & The Road to Damnation Sep 06, 2024

Our first (and hopefully last) Friday pod after a Spanish drama that required an Emergency Passport.
Gav and James tackle the hot topic of Oasis' "dynamic pricing" PR disaster before getting stuck into Damnation planning and your questions.
We also pick our very first 'Super Sub' to play their part in next week's pod.
Thanks for your patience, and enjoy.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

ATG Debrief & Six Months of 2 Promoters Aug 29, 2024

It's exactly six months from the release of episode one and we're in the mood to celebrate but first we have to savour the delights of another spectacular edition of ArcTanGent.
Best sets of the weekend, how surreal the live pod was and the benefits of Bossk's bus.
And Gav has a wee rant about "wet wipe Karens" who find any reason to complain about everything from tall people to kids blowing bubbles.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Live at ArcTanGent Aug 22, 2024

Gav and James took the stage in a PACKED Elephant In The Bar Room Stage at ArcTanGent for their second live outing, only for the "curse of Johannes" to strike just as they were warming up.
But it takes more than a full power outage to stop this pod.
And if the show keeps growing at this rate, it might just become a "real job".

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Q&A#5 "Sonisphere, Metallica albums, instalment ticket risks..." Aug 15, 2024

As we near the end of a summer of chaos, James prays the wi-fi holds up from a campervan in Fernhill Farm to tackle the most pressing of fan questions.
What is our favourite Metallica record? Are payment plans and risky business strategy? What's the story with noise curfews and would James rather cancel Trees or ATG if he had to?
We answer them all in our fifth Q&A session.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Countdown to ArcTanGent (feat. Bossk) Aug 08, 2024

ArcTanGent's 10th birthday bash is almost upon us and we're in the mood to party.
Co-hosting from a campervan in Fernhill Farm, James talks us through the "holiday mode" site build, where Spiritualized appeared from at the 11th hour and some last-minute shuffles with band cancellations and replacements.
And we're joined by the man, the myth, the bassist of Bossk, Mr Tom Begley, fresh from TMing Converge, to reveal the band's grand plans for their two sets next week, and the highlights to catch in between.
If you didn't think you could be more excited about ATG, you're wrong!

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Exact Cost of Our Festivals Aug 01, 2024

Gav and James dust off their old budget sheets and company accounts and crunch the numbers of running festivals over the past two decades.
How is it possible that in 2024 James paid more for diesel than the ENTIRE bill for Damnation 2005?
And it costs how much to have bins emptied!?
We get in about pounds and pence.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Trees Review & Clown Core No More Jul 25, 2024

Fresh from a successful 2000trees festival, Gav and James hit us up with a breakdown of all things that went off over the weekend.
They talk Live Podcasts, Merch, Hot Sauce, Toilets and even a bit about bands!
And in true form, they decide to do it on opposite sides of the world via an iPhone and Mexican Wi-Fi, We Go Again...or, Nosotros vamos de nuevo!

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Live at 2000trees Jul 18, 2024

Gav and James break free from Zoom for the first live 2 Promoters, 1 Pod show at the brilliant 2000trees.
And yes, there were towels.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The People Vs 2 Promoters Jul 11, 2024

Stand in boss, Bri, reports:
They’ve tackled wi-fi dramas, festival set-up demands and even drink issues but they’ve still managed to record their thoughts for this week’s pod.
You asked about gender equality, Biffy Clyro playing b-sides and their favourite bands of 2024.
And they answered.
Today the first 2 Promoters, 1 Pod live show happens at 2,000 Trees.
If you can be there. Be there.
Links for all things 2 Promoters:
https://linktr.ee/2promoters1pod

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Plan B... and Outbreak Jul 04, 2024

Recorded over a five-day stretch with limited wi-fi at Upcote Farm, Gav and James persevere with a Plan B podcast tackling some follow-up topics raised by listeners and tales of trying to book Ed Sheeran for £75.
And discuss Outbreak festival's successful return to BEC Arena, backed by an army of hardcore fans.
It's our Frankenstein pod. We went again, and again, and again...

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Q&A#4 "Why weren't AFI rebooked?" Jun 27, 2024

Why didn't AFI come back to Trees post-pandemic? How big do you want your festivals to grow? Why do you announce bands in waves? Is booking two sets overindulgence?
We tell you, in the fourth of our monthly 2P1P Vs The People Q&As.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Talking 2000trees with Frank Turner Jun 27, 2024

Fresh from selling out Ally Pally in hours and a successful tour Stateside, Frank Turner joins 2 Promoters, 1 Pod to declare his love for all things 2,000 Trees.
But before he takes the stage for a SEVENTH time at Upcote Farm, he discusses what it takes to tackle America, his "woeful" attempt at being a promoter for Botch's first UK tour and gets James flustered with some exciting Million Dead developments.
Enjoy.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Download Debrief Jun 20, 2024

Gav and James took a road trip to the big dog of UK metal festivals, Download, for an all too literal dirty weekend.
Swamp conditions aside, we discuss the best and worst sets, our take on the Barclays sponsorship protests and what can go wrong when you take an innocent photo of Pantera's crowd from the top of a ferris wheel and post it on the internet.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Farm to Festival Jun 13, 2024

This week's pod is James' emotional rollercoaster: from opening up about a serious health scare, being "pissed off" with a rival festival, to his passion for fence posts and playing invisible Minecraft... this one has it all.
He also explains the challenges of turning a sheep field into a festival site where you can watch The Gaslight Anthem and invites YOU to get involved.
We. Go. Again.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Dissecting Download with Kam Haq Jun 06, 2024

3 Promoters, 1 Pod!
Download's Kam Haq joins us to lift the curtain on the workings of the UK's biggest metal gathering.
What's life like at the top of the ladder, all Champagne and cigars at Live Nation HQ? Or is it the same headaches and hassles with billing, booking headliners and clashes as the rest of us mere mortals suffer?
We get in about it all and pick some must see bands from this year's line-up as we look forward to Download 2024.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Q&A#3 "Why did you buy two tour buses?" May 30, 2024

We (drunkenly) go again!
Gav and James get the pints in and tackle some of the more light-hearted questions.
Favourite food vendors at our festivals? What bands would we go back and see with a time machine? Top three bands we've ever seen live?
And why did Gav buy not one, but two tour buses?
Hiccup!

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Suffering for Salvation May 30, 2024

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.

Tour Tales & Trees Clashes May 23, 2024

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 manages to put one fire out.
We also discuss the Forest sets. How it’s decided who plays twice. The ‘TBAs’ and James’ masterplan to one day rope Biffy Clyde into playing.
This is our love letter to 2000trees.
But before all that, Gav has some tour tales to share and owns up to why he’ll likely never be a tour manager.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Riders May 16, 2024

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", and how they handle the infamous rider.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Great Merch Debate May 09, 2024

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 same manner and even if you offer artists a free merch table, would they prefer to pay?
We get in about it all.
**NOTE: There was a connection issue which led to a small section of buffering video and audio being edited out.
Discussed was price fixing when headliners force support bands to charge the same prices as them, which ATG, 2000trees and Damnation don't endorse or agree with.
And the huge increase in raw merch costs: Damnation paid £3.66 for tee reprints in 2021 and £16.93 for tee reprints in 2023.**

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Lessons Learned May 02, 2024

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.

Q&A#2 "Why was Opeth's set cut short?" Apr 25, 2024

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.

Clashfinder Confessions: ATG Apr 25, 2024

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?
James finally breaks his silence...

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Headliners of The Future Apr 18, 2024

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 Tooth?) .
And there's Blanket and The Moth Gatherer and Meryl Streek and Pig Destroyer and Anaal Nathrakh and Spirit Adrift and...
This is our fanboy episode.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Cancelled Festivals & The Near-Death of Damnation Apr 11, 2024

21 UK festivals have been cancelled or postponed so far this year with up to 100 at risk without Government support, according to the The Association of Independent Festivals.
It's grim reading, so how are ArcTanGent, Damnation and 2000trees coping in this brutal landscape and what can be done to help the situation?
Gav and James have a plan and it involves you!

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Breaking Bands Apr 04, 2024

Bob Vylan to Din of Celestial Birds, Idles to Amenra... have our festivals helped "break" bands to a larger audience in their scenes and if so, is that important to us or a byproduct of the job?
Gav and James get in about it.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Agent Strikes Back Mar 28, 2024

After a month or so of agent bashing, it was only a matter of time before someone stepped up to put us back in our place.
And that someone is the brilliant Mr Tom Taaffe, the man behind the bookings of the likes of Every Time I Die, Pallbearer, Spanish Love Songs, Deafheaven, While She Sleeps, Beartooth and Elder at our festivals.
What's his take on the ballache of billing and A-Z line-up posters, the rising fees for bands and promoters asking US arena-level bands to play club shows in England?
What's happening with Sleep and are The Reytons a suitable headliner for 2000trees?
Tom gives his honest take on it all.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Q&A#1: "Do Promoters Discuss Band Fees?" Mar 28, 2024

The mailbox is full and the questions keep coming in, so here's an episode dedicated to all your curiosities.
Do festival promoters talk to each other about band fees?
Have we ever got into a bidding war over a band we wanted?
What other festival would we like to book?
What are the marketing challenges in 2024?
We answer them all, and plenty more, in the usual candid fashion.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Mogwai, Baby! Mar 21, 2024

Ten years of increased offers, multiple snubs, endless fan demands and with almost all hope lost... Mogwai finally agreed to play the final night of the 10th anniversary of ATG.
It had to be part of the masterplan, right? Or a chance phone call, "going big" with an offer over text and the dilemma of having no headline slots left.
Turns out landing the dream band is never straight forward, as Bolt Thrower playing Damnation had its own unique quirks too.
Gav and James get in about it all.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Dark Arts of Booking Bands Mar 14, 2024

Booking bands is the Wild West of music promotion, where cash, gamesmanship, ego and relationships clash in the process of sealing a deal.
But it isn't as simple a just working out a fee. There's hotels, flights, catering, drum kits, video walls, billing and exclusivity to haggle over... and don't forget that nudity clause!
Then, even if that's all agreed, it might not stay that way because half the contract doesn't make sense, or the agent might just "forget".
Understand, no? Neither do we...

We go again, every Thursday morning.

(The Dummies Guide) To Starting Festivals Mar 09, 2024

2,000 Trees, Damnation and ArcTanGent have carved themselves out solid reputations on the UK festival scene but not without almost two decades of graft, good fortune and the odd costly mistake, or twenty, along the way.
Thankfully we fell into those traps so you don't have to.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Hunt for Headliners Mar 07, 2024

The right headliner can make or break your year, whether the rest of the line-up is excellent or not.
But it's not as easy as just throwing heaps of cash at your favourite band to land the booking you need.
With more events to choose from, competitive festival exclusive deals, fees going through the roof and bands booking further and further in advance, it can be a nervous time trying to get the right cherry on top.
James and Gav get into it...

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Slayer's Marketing Plan Feb 29, 2024

In a short space of time, Slayer transformed themselves from dependable festival fodder, who filled academies on tour to an arena outfit who have returned to share top billing alongside the likes of Slipknot and Motley Crue with one simple trick: the fake farewell.
Should fans be delighted with the return, or question why they were duped in the first place? Will other bands and their management follow the same strategy? And where are promoters left in the mix of booking the panto?

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Ballache of Billing a Festival Feb 29, 2024

Who goes one line up on the poster? Whose logo needs to be bigger? Who goes left or right when two bands are virtually identical in stature? And who decides?
The art of billing the line-up poster is a messy and confusing one, which often leads to heated rows, fall outs and promoters being left with tough calls to make.
But do fans even notice or care?
James and Gav share their pain and misery on 2 Promoters, 1 Pod.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Dillinger Escape Gamble Feb 29, 2024

Dillinger are back and everyone is buzzing, so why aren't they playing any of the UK festivals?
Is Calculating Infinity worth the gamble? Is there anything to learn from the At The Drive In, Refused or Botch reunions? Will we see Dimitri and co. play London in 2024 instead?
Damnation and ArcTanGent organisers, Gav and James, share their thoughts on the first episode of 2 Promoters, 1 Pod.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs Napalm Death Oct 21, 2023

After three decades on the road, grindcore Godfather Shane Embury has committed his tour tales to paper with the release of Life...? And Napalm Death.
Shane joins Damnation Vs to discuss the decision to publish the novel and where to draw the line with what's for the masses and what stays on tour.
Playing arenas to Volbeat fans, why he needs to see the faces of the crowd when he's playing and rediscovering Cult of Luna.
#napalmdeath #damnation #damnationvs

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs Anaal Nathrakh 2 Aug 01, 2023

It looked like it could all be over for Anaal Nathrakh but Dr Dave Hunt has some "unfinished business" to attend to, which will include a one-off headline performance at this year's Damnation Festival.
How did it feel to release Endarkenment in the middle of a pandemic and have no stages to take it to?
What was the process of rebuilding a live band with no Mick Kenney?
Will we ever see Nathrakh live again after 2023?
And is there any hope of more records in the future?
Dr Hunt tackles it all, in his brilliantly blunt fashion on Damnation Vs.
#damnationvs

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs Radar Festival Jul 18, 2023

Packing out their debut year only to crash into a global pandemic, moving to Manchester then being chucked out their new arena shortly afterwards and landing Sleep Token before they became the band who'd sell out Wembley Arena in 10 minutes...
The first few years of Radar have been a rollercoaster and as they head into this year's festival, co-organiser/director Ash Cook joins Damnation Vs to share the highs and lows.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs Conjurer Dec 01, 2021

Few bands had a 2021 like Conjurer; levelling the main stages of both Download and Bloodstock before returning to their natural habitat of a packed indoor show at Damnation and leaving no one in any doubt that they are one of the finest metal acts the UK has to offer.
Guitarist Brady Deeprose joins Damnation Vs for a mammoth two-hour stint to pick through the bones of those sets, his feelings on open air performances to 10,000 fans compared to packed "sweatboxes" and the possibility of being the "new" UK band to (finally) headline Damnation one year.
£7 food tokens, landing slots at Hellfest, Brutal Assault (and Summer Breeze), mental health challenges, supporting Celeste in London, vinyl delays, killing Mammothfest by booking Amenra, a proposed UK tour, how the next album will sound and even some rare praise for the much-missed Temples.
All from his mum's basement.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs Pig Destroyer May 26, 2021

Will Pig Destroyer make it to the UK this winter to headline a sold-out Damnation and if so, where else are they planning to play on a rare overseas venture?
Blake Harrison, the band's electronics maestro, tour manager, manager and social media voice joins Damnation Vs to lay out the 2021 plans for the US grindcore kings.
He also takes a trip down memory lane to revisit the band's first taste of Britain - and haggis - on tour in 2004, their previous Damnation show in 2012 and the Temples double-header in 2015.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs ArcTanGent 2 May 21, 2021

ArcTanGent 2021 is cancelled.
Organiser James Scarlett explains why the decision was made, the fears about hosting events without government-backed insurance, the response from bands across the world and where the festival goes next.
Plans for an indoor event to mark the loss of 2,000 Trees and ATG this year, refreshing the line-ups for 2022 and the depth of talent emerging from the UK.
We get in about it all.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs Andy Farrow (Opeth / Devin Townsend) Feb 10, 2021

Andy Farrow, manager of Opeth, Devin Townsend, Paradise Lost, Katatonia, Bloodbath, Anathema and The Wildhearts, unpacks three decades of experience in an episode that digs deeeeeep into the business.
The importance of bands getting their master tapes back, licensing deals, filling in those PRS sheets, 'syncs' with gaming companies and, finally, an explanation of what 'publishing' actually means.
Pulling festival favours from Devin, setting up a merch company with Opeth, Zoom calls about Anathema's "indefinite hiatus" and his expectations of a domestic-focussed touring future for his bands.
There's some Terrorvision, Oceansize, Skindred, 65daysofstatic, Sons of Apollo, Anaal Nathrakh, Cult of Luna and Carcass chat thrown in for good measure.
And would he consider organising a seated Bloodbath show?
A masterclass in everything you didn't know about the metal business.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs Tom Taaffe Jan 20, 2021

Tom Taaffe - the hero responsible for Nails at Damnation - is this week's guest to discuss being a booking agent for the likes of Sleep, Exodus, Pallbearer, Higher Power, Every Time I Die, Loathe, Vein and... Vance Joy.
He discusses the imminent decisions facing the major summer festivals which could cost them "millions of pounds" if they don't call it right, the shock of being dropped by bands who "fancy a change" and the love/hate tussle between promoters and agents.
And why getting the most money for a show isn't always the smartest move for an agent or their band.
Surprisingly candid. Brilliantly revealing. And at two hours and ten minutes, a Damnation Vs record-breaker.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs ArcTanGent Sep 28, 2020

ArcTanGent and 2,000 Trees talent buyer, James Scarlett, opens up about the pressures of booking almost 300 bands each year for his festivals.
Why won't Mogwai just say 'yes'? How realistic is it that we'll see The Mars Volta finally take the stage in Bristol? The challenges of booking a line-up for fans two decades younger than him...
Puscifer's wrestling ring production being too big to consider at ATG, the stars aligning for a possible Pixies performance at 2,000 Trees and Dragged Into Sunlight "bustin' balls".
Why weren't Maybeshewill as big as Explosions in the Sky, can Nordic Giants make that leap and would Electric Wizard go down well at Fernhill Farm? We get in about it all.
Oh, and remember when Refused called James out for not doing enough to promote women in rock?

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation Vs Svalbard Sep 09, 2020

Serena discusses the band's sudden departure from Holy Roar Records following allegations of serious sexual assault made against the label's owner.
What's next for the album that is due to drop in just a couple of weeks, the uncertain immediate future for the band and how they digested the news along with the public in a stressful 24 hours.
She also talks about the challenges of life on the road as a woman artist, dealing with sexism and creeps and how the scene has changed - for the better! - in the eight years since Svalbard appeared.
And hopes for 2021 from a "bucket list" show on Bloodstock's main stage to back up plans should their tour with The Ocean fall through.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

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