Question 7: What’s your best memory of being in the industry?
Steffen Rabe, a booker with FKP Scorpio, who lives in Germany and has worked with Amanda Palmer, Pond and Gov’t Mule: “There is too much I could tell you in experiences of life in shows and festivals. I will never forget how much I love festivals and tours. Audiences turning up on schedule and leaving happy and enthusiastic. This all because we all--agents, bookers, (local) crews, artists--make it happen. Doesn’t matter if it’s a huge arena show or the small club show. My last show was Lady Lamb, 26 February 2020 (Aschermittwoch) in the Köln Jaki Club. The last show where I was in the audience was Kvelertak, 28 February 2020 in Hamburg Gruenspan. My last home match as a fan of FC St Pauli was versus Osnabrueck on 1 March 2020. I missed my mother’s birthday last year on 15 March 2020; I now don’t visit any kind of show to keep the covid-spreading as low as possible.”
Rémi Bruggmann, a booker and artistic coordinator with the Montreux Jazz Festival, who lives in Switzerland: “So many! It’s been quite a journey, so it wouldn’t be fair to the other memories to choose just one! But right now, just any sweaty show will do!”
Zöé Caldwell, an agent who lives in Australia and has worked with the Blue Man Group and Cirque Du Soleil: “There are too many and it’s hard to pinpoint one, but the first wild memory that springs to mind is... I was touring with Blue Man Group in Russia throughout winter 2018 and on a night off in Yekaterinburg (2hr flight east of Moscow) we managed to find an underground drag bar--a sight I never thought I would see in Russia!”
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: “Being able to share my work with my kids, and long may that continue.”
Clotaire Buche, an agent with Junzi, who lives in France and has worked with Woodkid, Aaron and Chassol: “Looking at the joy in the audience eyes when an artist is performing.”
Dany Hassenstein, a booker with the Paléo Festival Nyon, who lives in Switzerland: “Having visited many great events around the world.”
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: “The Breeders at den Atelier!!!”
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: “Too many memories to choose from, but working together with my friends from den Atelier during Rock@field festivals or more recently for the Rammstein show in 2019 is always something I look forward to!”
Björn Harder, a tour and stage manager with Try Harder Productions, who lives in Germany and has worked with Rammstein and Apocalyptica: “Getting insights into many things (and countries) not many people are allowed to have. To experience that people and countries are friendly with each other and in many cases not what politicians and media want to make us believe.”
Dick Meredith, a freelance tour manager, who lives in the UK and has worked with Bastille: “There are so many, but for me it’ll always be looking out at a festival crowd, wherever that may be (Glastonbury, Wercher, Pinkpop, Rock-A-Field, etc) and seeing 50,000 people having the best time, and knowing you had a small part to play in that. I’d love to do it again.”
Jan Smeets, an agent and booker for Live Nation Belgium and Rock Werchter, and has also worked with Passenger, who lives in Belgium: “Witnessing Snarky Puppy building a colourful party with their versatile jazz while the Cure was headlining the main stage at Rock Werchter was definitely one of the highlights of my career so far. I’m very much looking forward to the reunion tour of Rage Against the Machine as well--can’t wait!”
Luke Bell, a freelance tour manager, who lives in the UK: “I was lucky enough to be a performer before I was a [production manager or [tour manager]. My band opened for the big 4 (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax) at the Sonisphere festival in the Czech Republic. It was an incredible experience, one that 16-year-old me would never have thought I would do, but I did (admittedly it took 20 years as I was 36 when I finally got there, haha).”
Silvio König, a tour manager and production manager with Thirteen Fourteen Productions, who lives in Germany and has worked with Paul Kalkbrenner and Kraftwerk: “I have so many good memories in my mind! Anytime when I speak with my artists, crews, colleagues and friends, we remember good times and funny situations. But I can’t tell you more...”
Ton Maessen, a freelance tour manager, who lives in Portugal and has worked with Nick Cave and dEUS: “At the end of each day seeing happy faces in the crowd and on stage is the best memory.”
Alex Bruford, an agent with ATC Live, who lives in the UK and has worked with Nick Cave, The Lumineers, Metronomy and Fink, did not share a memory.
Silke Westera, a booker with FKP Scorpio, who lives in Germany and has worked with Tom Odell and Tom Walker: “There isn’t one in particular. It’s looking into happy faces at live shows both on stage and in the audience. Being a tiny part in helpingartists express themselves and fans to enjoy these moments singing along, connecting with each other. There is nothing better than this.”
Dirk “Bats” Dillen, an electrician with Powershop, who lives in Belgium and has worked with Rock Werchter, Rock-A-Field and Rammstein (Lux): “The best memories of this industry are that you get to know a lot of people and that you can visit many places in the world. It is sometimes a hard, but fantastic world.”
Danny Simons, an agent with Grand Hotel van Cleef Musik, who lives in Germany and has worked with Thees Uhlmann and Kettcar: “The best memory is being on the road, meeting local partners, from stagehand to promoter, that you have known for two or three decades. Seeing that you have grown together and that you still respect each other, that you always can have laugh and a bit of a party with old friends.”