logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2020
27m 22s

Gigs might fly: LIVE MUSIC’s last chance...

PODMASTERS
About this episode

Hundreds of thousands of people should be heading to Glastonbury right now. Instead the live music industry is hanging on by its fingernails, hundreds of venues are threatened with closure, and the Government hasn’t included music in its ‘Cultural Renewal Taskforce’. Music agent JAMES WRIGHT of United Talent Agency talks to Andrew Harrison about what this multi-billion pound industry needs to survive. 


  • “Music is this country’s cultural background. And it’s being taken away from people.”
  • “Our business just doesn’t work with ANY social distancing in place.”


Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.


See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Oct 2
Burnham’s big moment and the return of Musk – Weekly Wrap-Up with Alex von Tunzelmann
Looking back at the past week... Burnham has set out his vision and was praised for delivering Labour’s “best conference speech since Tony Blair”. What did he actually announce – and can his ideas stick? Plus: Donald Trump gathers the tech billionaires at the White House and brin ... Show More
30m 23s
Oct 1
Burnham ‘channels Oprah’ and iced coffee outrage – Hot Take Time Machine with Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge
Paper Cuts survivors Miranda Sawyer, Jonn Elledge and Jacob Jarvis are back to pick apart the strangest takes from the op-edverse over the past month. This week: Andy Burnham has been accused of channelling his inner Oprah, and his Labour conference speech compared to a “Beatles ... Show More
34m 45s
Sep 30
Europe's “firewall” against the far-right is holding. But for how long?
The far-right is reshaping politics across Europe. So what is driving its rise? What do these movements have in common? How did we get here – and what might happen next? Steven Erlanger, The New York Times’ chief diplomatic correspondent for Europe, joins Rafael Behr to discuss w ... Show More
42m 52s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
The trouble with live music
Elton John, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran - all artists who've had sell-out world tours in recent years. And new markets, such as India, are being added to the global tour map. But the same can’t be said for smaller venues. In the UK and Australia, the lights are off, and ... Show More
17m 40s
Jul 2021
The (Not So?) Tentative Return of Live Music
A look at the challenges touring musicians faced over the last year, and how the industry is adjusting to the new normal. Guest: Ben Sisario. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https: ... Show More
30m 33s
Aug 2025
Commons people: when politics and music collide
From Glastonbury performers to classical music buffs, Westminster has always been packed full of music obsessives. But the music industry has not always been so obsessed with politicians. Who could forget Stormzy calling out Theresa May over Grenfell or Elton John calling Keir St ... Show More
42m 4s
Sep 2022
Can festivals bounce back?
The global events industry was valued at more than $1.1 billion in 2019, before the start of the covid-19 pandemic. Live music and concert events alone lost $30 billion in 2020 and most outdoor festivals were cancelled. This year, in 2022, with more people vaccinated around the w ... Show More
17m 29s
Dec 2012
Live music events
From Hackney Weekend to Glastonbury, major live music events present a great opportunity for broadcasters. But if you fail to properly plan and prepare for health and safety issues your broadcast or event could be memorable for all the wrong reasons. Simon Smith is joined by Radi ... Show More
25m 38s
Dec 2023
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and the Sphere: The Year in Live Music
The touring business saw record revenue in 2023 and major tours made news, but fans still struggle with ticket prices and access — and political leaders are watching. Guest: Ben Sisario. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscr ... Show More
48m 35s
Sep 2024
Crisis of Conference: What to expect from the party gatherings
• OGWN Live in Hove, Weds 9 Oct. Tickets here. Party conference season is here and there’s much to talk about. What really goes on at these events, do they matter and what kind of vibe will Starmer give now he’s at the helm? Plus, the UK’s creative arts industry has some of the l ... Show More
58m 46s