Back Lounge Live
Welcome to our BACK LOUNGE recordings!
To date, we’ve hosted more than 250 calls and here you’ll find unedited, as-they-happened records of a sample of them. Some are simply social check-ins, with no specific subject set in advance; they are spontaneous talking shops, guided by whoever turns up on the night and where the conversation takes us. Others have pre-agreed topics, which can range from the general – such as how to get a foot in the door of the touring world, how to be asked back or how to manage your finances – to the deeply personal mental health issues – understanding neurodiversity, maintaining sobriety, workplace bullying and so on – often led by a professional in their field.
Please note that calls are never recorded without the express permission of those taking present and with subjects which are felt to be emotive, personal or triggering, it is not even considered as an option. The BACK LOUNGE is a safe and confidential space, in which to not only express an opinion or let off steam within a supportive community of peers, but also to listen and learn from others who are possibly going through something you may have encountered in the past or may have to deal with in the future. There is a lot of laughter and occasionally, tears. No one is compelled to contribute and cameras can be switched off if preferred, but anyone who wants to is allowed to speak without interruption or judgement. Every voice counts, and every story helps us all widen our horizons.
BACK LOUNGE live
The BACK LOUNGE ‘getting work’ and ‘raising your profile’
Whichever side of the pond you in habit, there’s no doubt work has been unsteady this past year. This is the first of 3 sessions we ran about how to look your best.
Be more punk
‘BE MORE PUNK’ on The BACK LOUNGE. Join us for some inspiration whether you run or not. This is about staying motivated. ….if your aim is to drag your sorry arse off the couch and get fit, our guest Jimmy from RUNNING PUNKS https://www.runningpunks.com/ may help you find your mojo. It’s well proven that being accountable and being a part of a group helps you keep going. Running Punks are incredible & awesome individuals with a punk mentality and a thirst for life & self-improvement.
Here’s a man not afraid to wear pink.
'Misdemeanors' and the visa process
With Matthew Kushner, US immigration lawyer specialising in the entertainment industry. If you’re worried about how a past offence might impact a visa application, whether you’re applying from the US, heading there for work, or navigating the petition process, this session will help break it down. We also look at group applications, if you regularly apply on the behalf of others. Most importantly, this is a non-judgmental call, having a history isn’t uncommon, and we look at the practical realities to help you better understand your options.
Medical care for touring
Many of us have been on tours where the rock doc has been called out to save the day (or more to the point ‘the show’), but as working crew, we often don’t have access to this level of care and understanding. Here’s your chance with guests Roadie.Medic with a doctor, a nurse and a physio to answer all your questions from coping on the road, medication, pain and sleep management, to what to do in emergency scenarios. Are we underselling if we say this could save someone’s life?!
Pt 1 Getting your CV into shape
The days of your ‘CV’ being solely a list of whichever bands you’ve worked with, are changing. Here’s a discussion how to format it into a useful document, and what to say and not to say
Pt 2 How to use LinkedIn
Thought LinkedIn wasn’t for freelancers? Here’s how to use it to show off your skills.
Pt 3 Going Corporate
How to diversify into the more corporate side of things.
So You’re Going on Tour
Here are 2 useful sessions for handy things to know (that you might be afraid to ask) when you’re going on tour. We all learnt something from these 2, even some us seasoned road dogs. Definitely worth a watch no matter how long you’ve toured. As for Etiquette, where does one begin?!
‘So You’re booked on your First Tour ‘ Part 1
Congratulations you’re hitting the road! Here’s a recording about some of the practical things its useful to know before you go
Part 2 ‘Etiquette’ and good behaviour
What is and isnt acceptable, controversial for some! But basically, how to get asked back
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE and how to pitch it, overselling your skills, and what happens when you fake it…til…you can’t. Whether you’re climbing the ladder or have years in the game, join the conversation. With guests Josh Barnes (Production Director), Daithi ‘Pinky’ Farah (Audio Engineer), Maria Porcaro (multi skilled Touring Professional) and Aubrey Wright (AWrightWorld).
ATTITUDE
CLEVER PACKING
This BACK LOUNGE session is all about PACKING. From first tour to road pro, from the must-have bag, adapters and geek stuff to smart ways to make life fit 23kg as you cross the globe. Guest hosts Nick Gosling (Production Manager & Luggage Enthusiast), Nikki Edmonds (Backstage & Wardrobe Coordinator, Purveyor of Packing Cubes), and Makeila Estelle (Production Coordinator & Promoter Rep, Aspiring Minimalist) are sharing tips and inviting yours.
Sustainablity and behind the scenes with Jamal Chalabi TM for Massive Attack
Sustainablity for touring and events with Jamal Chalabi, tour manager for Massive Attack and Eloise Clarke, Sustainability Consultant at A Greener Future
Workshop - Mindfulness for Touring with Craig Ali
Finding some here and now in the midst of what can sometimes feel like madness, when personal space and decompression time feels precious
Workshop - Laura Ferguson workshop-Healthy Boundaries
There’s no denying when you work in events and touringand spend long periods away from home, the boundaries get blurred. This one is about staying true and defining what you need.
The year Christmas was cancelled. Yoga Nidra and visualisation with Becky Pell
Back when we were in a lockdown Christmas, this session was a life saver. Christmas isnt the easiest time for many of us, and this beautiful session hosted by Becky Pell, yogi and audio engineer, will help you find balance. And its a great one to fall asleep to
How to get into Tour Managing
This question gets asked so many times, how DO you get into tour managing? No simple answer! But hopefully this will help. With tour manager and diversity advocate Lotje Horvers
What Future for Live Music
Recorded late 2024. Watching this back more recently, has anything changed? Where does all the money go?
Decision making around Perimenopause
The often-overlooked impact of perimenopause and menopause, not just on the body, but on confidence and everyday decision-making. With more of us ladies in the industry workforce, I promise you will find it an interesting listen. With guest Arva Valika Director of Clinical Ops CiC Wellbeing https://www.cicwellbeing.com/
Perimenopause and Menopause Part 2
The follow up to our earlier call, and the impact peri/ menopause can have on our decision making – the focus this time will be on relationships and the big life decisions we may make at this time. Relationships when work takes you away from home can be hard to maintain at the best of times, and hormones and the impact stress has on them doesn’t help.
Freelance 101 – good to know!
The stuff no one tells you when you start. Wisdom from the community!
ADHD and better communication
This session is about ADHD and better communication with Tristan Hunt www.tristanhunt.co.uk ADHD coach for the music industry. Music touring and events involves a great deal of teamwork, whether you are neurodiverse – diagnosed or undiagnosed – or you have colleagues who are. This is about bringing understanding for better collaboration when working together. Lots of information here!
Shades of Sobriety
Thank you to all our guests who shared their journeys with sobriety on this call. Its a brave and honest share and we hope it provides inspiration, whether you’re coming to the end of a dry spell, or you suspect alcohol may be more of a problem than you want to admit.
Visas - What’s the latest
With visa specialists Sophie Amable & Oleg Gaidar. What’s the status right now and what might be changing, from US to China, what it means for your work, and what you need to know to plan ahead. Recorded 4 Feb 2026 – please note things change fast!
The Shitty Committee with Jack Williamson
We all have those days…weeks… months. When the critic in your head gets the better of you. Jack Williamson is a psychotherapist, author and songwriter. Can we keep him?!
Better Habits
We could all use cultivating some better habits, here’s how to! With coach Nicole Blonder
The BACK LOUNGE meet Roadies in Recovery
With our beloved Joanne Croxford, tour manager and sobriety activist, hosting. Everything you wanted to about the 12 step fellowship, Thank you Roadies in Recovery for everything you do
In-Betweening
This is classic BACK LOUNGE, recorded 9th Oct 25. From axe throwing to yarn bombing. How you can make those bits when you finally go home inbetween jobs meaningful. With Joanne Croxford (Roadies in Recovery)
Suicide Awareness
These 2 sessions are to raise awareness of something tthat’s vitally important to highlight and to hopefully save lives. However this subject affects you, we hope you will listen and take comfort and perhaps some courage to have the difficult conversation where there may be need. There is also a list of resources in the description for both calls. Please share anywhere it’s useful.
Male and male identifying focus
Female and female identifying focus
Huge thanks to everyone who supports The BACK LOUNGE and who works to make our beloved industry a better place. And a special thanks to the PSA for spreading the word and sponsoring this page
We hope this gives you a taste of what we’re about.
Alongside these recorded sessions, our main support meetings are confidential and never recorded, so everyone feels safe to share openly. We meet weekly and if you’d like to stay updated, join our mailing list or keep an eye out for us on social media. The BACK LOUNGE