Andy Marsh , James Ralls and
Ben Miles
Entertainment is led by Creamfields founder James Barton , as CEO , and backed by Providence Equity Partners . Superstruct owns and operates more than 30 large-scale festivals and live music events globally . They include the UK ’ s Kendal Calling ( 25,000 ), Tramlines ( 40,000 ) and Boardmasters ( 50,000 ), along with Croatian festival Hideout ( 15,000 ), Sziget ( 95,000 ) in Hungary and Oya ( 15,000 ) in Norway .
“ Superstruct has expertise in every aspect of the international live events industry , and they ’ ve made it easy for event operators to share information and help each other ,” says Ralls . “ There is a lot of information and experience from different markets , which can be really useful .”
Despite the many supply chain issues caused by the pandemic and Brexit , Ralls says the organisation of this year ’ s event has not been problematic : “ Many of our suppliers have worked with us for the past 10 years . Last year some stopped operating in the industry , so that caused us a few problems specifically around toilets where there simply weren ’ t enough – we booked them , but they didn ’ t turn up .
“ This year we booked everything in really early , so now we ’ ve got
everything booked and , in some cases , we have intentionally overbooked . It has all cost a lot more money but we ’ re hoping that is going to be reflected in the customer experience , so it ’ s going to be worth it . The price of everything has gone up significantly but we just have to live with it .”
In between working on Victorious , the dozen-strong team outsource their services to other events ; whether that ’ s managing the catering for the Y Not Festival ( 15,000 ) or setting up new shows .
In 2018 they launched Victorious Events ( VE ), offering everything from event consultation to full delivery . It has worked as Portsmouth City Council ’ s event management delivery partner for the D-Day 75 commemorations , and on the Americas Cup World Series .
In 2019 , VE teamed up with the council , University of Portsmouth and Arts Council England to launch “ catalyst organisation ” Portsmouth Creates with the aim of promoting culture in the city . Last year it launched free event series We Shine Portsmouth ; which saw art and light installations set up across the city from 18-20 November .
Ralls says it is another way of enriching the arts and entertainment offering in Portsmouth : “ We have a
“ It ’ s looking like we will sell out for the first time . We ’ re about 40 % ahead of where we usually are .”
really positive relationship with the local council . We do a lot of work with them , and in the community . We ’ ve been doing that for years before Victorious started , we ’ ve got relationships going back 20-plus years .
“ All of us are local and I live near the site myself . We try hard to keep the residents happy and that ’ s why we get very few complaints . I ’ m always out having cups of tea with all the old ladies who may not be
Suppliers
Fencing - Steelshield Toilets - GAP , Tardis , L & S Waste and Gigloo Medical cover - ACOS Medical Audio - BCS Audio Lighting - GLS Lighting Radios - Mark Comms Portable buildings - Wernicks Water - Wicked Water Services Security - Vespasian Security Health & Safety and Welfare - Tiger Tea Waste Management - TJ Waste and Recycling Showers - GreenTree Mobile Showers Sound Management - Vanguardia Staging - Acorn Bars - Freemans
the most enthusiastic about the festival .” Each year the festival team coordinates significant local charitable contributions , and in 2021 £ 53,600 was donated to projects across the city , including Portsmouth Young Carers and Pompey Pensioners .
The team funds an annual report of the festival ’ s local economic impact , and Ralls says the next step is to fund a social impact study : “ That will put an economic value on all the social interactions that happen between people that wouldn ’ t happen if Victorious didn ’ t take place .
“ There hasn ’ t been a year when the economic impact has gone down , so we ’ re confident it will rise again this year .”
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