AAA White Paper The political economy of informal events, 2030 | Page 117

“My skills reflect my experience of Acid House and the Rave movement in the 1990s. Britain does independent gigs, promotions and festivals very well. Having since moved to the US and gone on to organise some pretty big shows around the world, I believe, along with most promoters, that the greatest thrill comes when you look out on an ocean of happy, singing and jumping heads. All the pain and sleepless nights before the gig seem worth it at that point. “Music events in particular touch people’s hearts. Of course there are issues that Simidian has partnered with Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic to put on the world’s first Live Music Concert in space – complete with Lady Gaga. Approximate launch: 2020 come with big events; but that’s all about planning. Whenever you put big numbers of the public together, there’ll be some bad eggs. That’s just the law of averages. “The more ambitious the UK is in events – and the more magnanimous local authorities are in granting licenses – the better for everyone. The outstanding aspect of the original space race in the US was the can-do outlook, and JFK’s vaulting vision – the desire to go the moon not because it was easy, but because it was hard.” From northern dancefloors to the most out-of-this world gig ever: John Simidian, CEO of Zero G Colony, on the need to think big John Simidian 117