Question 5: Have you considered leaving the industry, looking into other opportunities?
Steffen Rabe, a booker with FKP Scorpio, who lives in Germany and has worked with Amanda Palmer, Pond and Gov’t Mule: “I had my first tour 1987 and it never stopped loving concerts/shows. There is nothing I want to change. I will wait to start again, doesn’t matter when this will be.”
Rémi Bruggmann, a booker and artistic coordinator with the Montreux Jazz Festival, who lives in Switzerland: “No, I’m glad I had a reality check a few years back, making me realize that’s what I want to do and pursue in the future.”
Zöé Caldwell, an agent who lives in Australia and has worked with the Blue Man Group and Cirque Du Soleil: “I had thoughts of leaving the industry around mid-2020, but I felt quite strongly that I would stay within the arts. I started training as a career/life coach last year, which I thought could either be a new career for me eventually or a good addition to my current one.”
Natasha Gregory, an agent with Mother Artists, who lives in the UK and has represented Amy Macdonald, IDLES, RY X, Tom Misch and Foster the People: “Who hasn’t, right? I don’t think I want to leave the industry ultimately, so I have set up a company that I feel can be part of future endeavors and that I’m able to adapt quicker than I would have before. I have such a great roster and team that has kept my focus and spirits high. There is this belief from some that agents don’t have much to do! But that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Clotaire Buche, an agent with Junzi, who lives in France and has worked with Woodkid, Aaron and Chassol: “Yes, every day since the second lockdown (November), I still do.”
Dany Hassenstein, a booker with the Paléo Festival Nyon, who lives in Switzerland: “Nope, far too busy fighting for our industry.”
Josh Javor, an agent with X-ray Touring, who lives in the UK and has worked with Queens of the Stone Age, Coldplay, Snow Patrol and Eagles of Death Metal: “No.”
Rahel Feidler, a production manager with Showtime Entertainment Services, who lives in Belgium and has worked with Rock Werchter, Rock-A-Field, Rammstein (Lux), Tomorrowland and Jean Michel Jarre: “No, I tried once to step out of the industry, but came back really quickly. There is no business like show business. It’s not only a job, it’s a way of life.”
Björn Harder, a tour and stage manager with Try Harder Productions, who lives in Germany and has worked with Rammstein and Apocalyptica: “You always have to look for better opportunities.”
Dick Meredith, a freelance tour manager, who lives in the UK and has worked with Bastille: “Yes, I have (obviously notwithstanding my current work in retail).”
Jan Smeets, an agent and booker for Live Nation Belgium and Rock Werchter, and has also worked with Passenger, who lives in Belgium: “In the grey days of the first lockdown, it definitely crossed my mind, but since it became clear that we could cope with the crisis thanks to government support, I have let it go. I’m eager to build further on the careers of the acts I’m promoting and representing, and to develop the relationships with international agents and local managers.”
Luke Bell, a freelance tour manager, who lives in the UK: “No, not at all. I will just wait patiently and do whatever I need to do until such time as I can return to what I love doing. The UK government ran a retrain ad campaign about people like me learning to do something else. It was exceptionally insulting. They can stick that idea up their collective asses.”
Silvio König, a tour manager and production manager with Thirteen Fourteen Productions, who lives in Germany and has worked with Paul Kalkbrenner and Kraftwerk: “No, never!”
Ton Maessen, a freelance tour manager, who lives in Portugal and has worked with Nick Cave and dEUS: “At my age (61) it is pretty hard to get an opportunity to do something else.”
Alex Bruford, an agent with ATC Live, who lives in the UK and has worked with Nick Cave, The Lumineers, Metronomy and Fink: “No.”
Silke Westera, a booker with FKP Scorpio, who lives in Germany and has worked with Tom Odell and Tom Walker: “No, I haven’t. This job has been a huge part of my life for nearly 20 years now and I am not ready to give up on it, as long as I am not forced to do so.”
Dirk “Bats” Dillen, an electrician with Powershop, who lives in Belgium and has worked with Rock Werchter, Rock-A-Field and Rammstein (Lux): “At the moment, I still believe in it and I will certainly not leave the industry yet.”
Danny Simons, an agent with Grand Hotel van Cleef Musik, who lives in Germany and has worked with Thees Uhlmann and Kettcar: “No.”