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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:

Bob Vylan Cancelled (with Radar Festival) Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Following their "Death to the IDF" chants at Glastonbury, punk duo Bob Vylan found themselves in the firing line of everyone from the US State Department to the perpetually applaud Keir Starmer.
Unfortunately, Manchester's Radar Festival happened to be the next date on the UK tour schedule and the organisers were targeted by a campaign of hate before being forced to pull the show and carry the can in public.
Co-organiser Catherine Jackson-Smith joins the pod to discuss the reasons behind the decision which left her and her team taking abuse from all sides.
NOTE: The interview the Catherine begins at the 50-minute mark, without James Scarlett due to a series of technical issues faced while he's on site building 2000trees.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Site Build Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

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 EVERY job and the timescale the have to complete them before the campsites open on July 9.
Just don't give him a mouldy fridge!

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Carving a Career in Live Music (with James Spence) Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

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 announcement and Dim Skewer's mental week of fame.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Two Old Men Vs Sugar Horse Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

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 morning.

Fortress Frolics, Cost Cutting & ATG Clashes Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

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.

Metallica, Machine Head and Meal Deals - Q&A 13 May 29, 2025

Show notes

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.

Talking Headliners May 22, 2025

Show notes

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 Eyesore Merch and Lou's Brews.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

The Industry with Meryl Streek May 15, 2025

Show notes

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 candid fashion as you'd hope for.

And explains how much he loves hearing he'd better with a live band...

We go again, every Thursday morning.

How Much We Made on Tour May 08, 2025

Show notes

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.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

Cancelling Kneecap, Death Threats and Trees Clashes May 01, 2025

Show notes

It was supposed to a fun afternoon arguing over the 2,000trees clashfinder but Sharon Osbourne, Scotland’s First Minister and the pesky bloody Tories had other ideas…. so the spotlight is back on the Kneecap lads.

But what about the promoters, like James, who have red hot Irish trio on their poster?

Well, there’s death threats for a start.

We go again, every Thursday morning.

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