WINTER | THE COLUMNISTS
Access’ 30 Under
30: Next Generation
columnists tackle
social media,
Christmas and mark
a tragedy...
Social cohesion
BeKnown Music co-founder Dan
Andrew
Discovering new digital mediums
can be a great way to boost your
artist’s profile, and tap into new
social tribes, but let’s not overlook
the traditional paths.
There are various outlets
online that represent a loyal and
passionate user base. Grime Daily
is such a channel dedicated to
the genre, and providing regular
updates and video content.
YouTube communities are
another rich source. SDTV and the
Mahogany Sessions are channels
that fit in well with our artists. But,
let’s not forget offline. Sofar Sounds
provides music fans with access to
gigs in intimate spaces around the
world. It aims to bring the magic
back to live music.
More familiar avenues for getting
noticed as an artist have also been
given a twist in the digital age.
Street performances, captured on
mobile phones, have gotten traction
around the world, leading to
lucrative record contracts.
Spotify playlists are another great
way to get onto peoples’ radars
and direct to consumer platforms
offer a way to stack official chart
points but there are other revenue
models taking off. When booking
gig tickets, it’s now common to be
offered a package with a physical
music product and a t-shirt.
Educate yourself, but always be
true to your artist.
In memory of the innocent
Kilimanjaro Live event manager
Simon Skelt
I am writing this article on 13
November 2019. On this day in 2015
over a thousand people went to
watch a gig, others went to work at
a venue and a group of people went
to perform.
This is a scenario we are all used
to, a scenario many of us have been
fortunate to be a part of, a scenario
many of us take for granted.
What happened at this particular
show in Paris needs no words - we
are all well aware of the distressing
and disturbing scenes that ensued.
Upsettingly there have been
similar atrocities targeting events
since, including here in the UK in
Manchester, across the pond in
Vegas and Florida, in Turkey, in
Germany, in Mexico... With that in
mind I do not wish to write a piece
on my thoughts, views or ideas on
the entertainment industry. Instead
I am dedicating this column to all
of the innocent gig goers, innocent
clubbers, innocent staff, innocent
artists and all of their innocent
families who have been affected
by any sort of twisted political or
religious agenda and its devastating
effects whilst attending a concert,
festival or club that is intended for
entertainment, enjoyment and fun.
Nothing else.
The joy of missing out
Mehram Sumray-Roots, founder,
YADA Events
As event professionals, we are
either attending or hosting an
impossible number of events during
the Christmas period. By the end
of October, if not earlier, people
won’t stop putting pressure on the
C word.
I was even invited to “Christmas
Drinks” on November 7th and it
hasn’t stopped. I’m no scrooge,
in fact I’m the first one awake on
Christmas morning (yes, at the age
of 27), however, even my Christmas
spirit is fading as we approach the
end of the year.
Friends, family, colleagues,
mentors, suppliers and networking
groups all want a slice of you and
sometimes you haven’t got enough
to go around.
Previously, I have made the
mistake of attending an event
every single evening. This year, I
promised myself that I wouldn’t
fall into the trap. Christmas isn’t
the same when everyone is either
exhausted, hungover or unwell.
With CareerCast’s 2019 survey
naming event planning as the 6th
most stressful job, burning the
candle at both ends is a reality that
faces many of us.
Domino’s Pizza recently launched
a campaign to get people feeling
JOMO rather than FOMO this
winter and I think that is a slice I
am keen to share. Who’s with me?
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