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Feeder and Gruff Rhys were an absolutely brilliant experience for everyone involved .”
During the pandemic , Galbraith was instrumental in helping to establish the UK ’ s first trade body representing all elements of the live music industry . LIVE ( Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment ) was launched in early 2020 and provided a unified voice that helped drive change at a government level .
With the Covid 19 lockdowns an ever more distant memory , and with the flow of business returning to more reasonable levels , Galbraith is confident that
It ’ s been a pleasure to work with Stuart and the Kilimanjaro team over the years . Thanks to them we ’ ve been able to bring world-class artists including Andrea Bocelli , Simply Red , Donny Osmond and Craig David to Liverpool ’ s vibrant music scene .
– ACC Liverpool head of sales – concerts , entertainment & sports Kay Wilson
Kilimanjaro Live has a bright future : “ The success of Kilimanjaro is a reflection of the strength of our team ; they ’ re all fiercely competitive and ambitious . We like the fact that we
can provide an independent boutique alternative to a global multinational . We continue to deliver for our fans , clients , artists and authors with passion , and will continue to do so for many years to come .”
Tilley says that after 15 years , promoting has definitely not got any easier : “ The competition for new talent is probably as intense now as it has ever been . Artists and their teams have got the choice of working with a lot of big companies and a lot of great promoters . It ’ s about staying relevant , competitive , and achieving the business that you want . It ’ s hard but it ’ s enjoyable . I ’ m still bang up for the challenge of it all .”
On the ascendance
The director of Cardiff-based SC Productions , primarily a production and site management company , Sarah Hemsley-Cole has worked with Kilimanjaro since the early days on projects including Wakestock , Sonisphere , Stereophonics ’ outdoor shows , Ed Sheeran ’ s stadium gigs , and for the past five years her company has been the site management provider for Kew the Music at the Royal Botanic Gardens , Kew .
Hemsley-Cole first met Zac Fox and Stuart Galbraith in 1998 when she was working for Cardiff City Council on the European Union Summit at Cardiff Castle . With a Stereophonics concert incoming , she helped the nascent Kilimanjaro team turn the venue around in time . In the years that followed , Kilimanjaro repeatedly called on Hemsley-Cole to work on an ever-growing number of projects , with Galbraith repeatedly encouraging her to set up her own company .
“ Stuart is the reason I have SC Productions ,” she says . “ He sat me down when I was in my mid-20s and said , ‘ What are you doing ? You could do this full time , come on !’. Stuart is very good at giving people opportunities and inviting growth in an individual . He can see that promise in people , and he is very loyal .
“ With all of the projects we do with Kili , there ' s a real synergy and sense of teamwork . Zac and I have grown up in the industry together and really work to celebrate women in the industry . I have tremendous respect for Zac and the work she ' s achieved with Stuart in taking Kilimanjaro forward . It ’ s the same with Steve Tilly , he is such a lovely man , very genuine . They ' ve always got time for people , and I think that ' s what Kilimanjaro brings – they bring out the individual .”
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