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Next week on THE BACK LOUNGE it’s Who’s Driving This Tour? with Marty Hom guesting, industry legend and prolific Tour Director. Every tour needs someone at the wheel, but who’s actually steering? Marty will be joined by Nikki Edmonds, Backstage & Wardrobe Coordinator, with me hosting, for a conversation about the people who keep the whole show on the road. From how the role of Tour Director came about, to what qualifies someone to step up from TM to TD, and what really makes a good one… and what doesn’t! This one’s all about moving up, for the young and not-so-young guns alike, whether you’re just starting out or have already clocked up thousands of miles of road life. Wednesday 28th October 6pm GMT London / 7pm CET / 2pm EDT / 11am PDT (Note clock change in Europe but not yet in US) This is an open discussion with plenty of opportunity for questions throughout. To join, email info@thebacklounge.org for the Zoom link.

Next week on THE BACK LOUNGE it’s BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP. Touring & event teams now span 18 to 60+. That should be a strength, but how well do we actually talk to each other across two or three generations? …’Want to be crew chief by next Tuesday’…’Always on their phones’…’Gatekeepers’…’Won’t share what they know’…We’ve all heard it so let’s get the stereotypes out in the open and talk about how to ease some of the tensions between us. Joining host Suzi Green, Psychotherapist, Tour Manager are Hannah Eakins, CEO Production Futures, Sarah Rushton-Reed, The Fifth Estate (no longer defined by job title, gender or age!), Josh Barnes, Production Director and Tracy Bass, Film Producer, Educator & Consultant. How newer people can get a foot in the door and have their ideas welcomed and how experienced crew can pass on what they know and have it land well, and what actually gets you rebooked and moved up. 📅 Wednesday 21st October 6pm London/ 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT Email info@thebacklounge.org for the zoom link. Whether you’re yet to land your first gig or you’ve been on the road for 30 years, your voice is welcome. This is an open discussion.

This Wednesday on The BACK LOUNGE let’s just check in. It’s been a strange year for a lot of us. Quieter for some, and for most it’s taken a lot more effort to keep the work coming in. Everything costs more and the effort to stay afloat can feel like hard going. If you’re feeling the struggle, join our call, you are far from alone in this, and knowing there are lots of us head down and grafting in our own corners of the world, helps keep the faith. Here’s to remembering the ‘why’ we do this, what we love and to share some optimism for the future. To join our zoom email info@thebacklounge.org for the Zoom link. 📅 Wednesday 14th October, 6pm BST (London) / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT

Next week on The BACK LOUNGE it’s the tricky subject of WOMEN, AGEISM & WORKING IN LIVE. If you’re a woman over 45 working in touring and events, how valid is your experience? Feel like a career peak or more of a career cliff?! Join us for an honest conversation about being ‘older’, how we value our own worth, and how others perceive our experience. With an illustrious panel of beautifully seasoned and award winning (every single one) women from across the industry – Michelle Salbolchick, FOH Engineer, co-founder Soundgirls.org, Creator MixingMusicLive.com – Malle Kaas, Live Audio Engineer, Nurse Anaesthetist (Roadie Medic) and CEO https://womeninlivemusic.eu/ – Tracy Bass, Film Producer, Educator & Consultant
– Liz Madden, NoNonsense Group, PSA – Sarah Rushton-Read, no longer defined by job title, gender or age! The Fifth Estate – and me, ‘vintage’ Tour Manager, Music Industry Psychotherapist and host of The BACK LOUNGE. We’ll share the realities and the challenges and welcome your comments and lived experience in the discussion 📅 Wed 30th Sept, 6pm BST (London) / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT. To join the zoom, email info@thebacklounge.org for the link. Guys, don’t worry, your time will come soon. We feel some of the issues are a little different across genders. Your call coming soon

Next week on The BACK LOUNGE it’s a check in. No theme, bring what you want. If you work across music and events, wherever you are in the world and wherever you’re at in your career, join our call to talk about pretty much anything that affects you – odds are you won’t be the only one. Here’s the place you can talk about this stuff! To join, email info@thebacklounge.org for the Zoom link. Wednesday 23rd September, 6pm BST (London) / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT The image below is available for sale (see internet) for anyone going to fancy dress as a ‘roadie’ anytime soon. Obligatory band tour shirt your own choice. Is this what roadies look like? This and more to be discussed… 🤘

This week on The BACK LOUNGE it’s FREIGHT UNPACKED. Whether you work across big shows or little shows, sooner or later this will keep you awake at night. Add in a global context of wars, politics, and constantly changing regulations and there’s a lot to keep up with Joining us are freight experts Bridget Fitzpatrick & Chris Palmer at Rock-It Cargo, alongside tour pro Nikki Edmonds, sharing a few anecdotes of her own. No question too small, no war story too unbelievable.
To join us, email info@thebacklounge.org for the Zoom link
📅 Wednesday 16th September, 6pm BST (London) / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT Plenty of opportunity for questions, all welcome, whatever size of tour or event you work on or aspire to

Does touring have a behind the scenes culture problem? Is there anyone here who hasn’t been on one of ‘those’ gigs? From banter to bullying, and it can take your confidence a long time to recover. Join us on this week’s BACK LOUNGE with Don Harman, safety anarchist and advocate for best practice at https://www.backstage-pass.ca/ for a conversation about psychological safety, ally-ship, and the responsibility we all share in calling out toxic behaviour and creating a better touring culture. To join our zoom call email info@thebacklounge.org to register in advance for this meeting (pre register closes one hour before we start). 📅 Wednesday 24th June 6pm London/ 7pm CET/ 1pm EDT / 10am PDT.

It’s a check in next week on The BACK LOUNGE. No special guests, just me asking how you are! If you have seen our posts and thought what is this back lounge thing….here’s your chance to find out  We are a global community of touring and events professionals. No denying this isn’t the easiest or most linear or careers, and it really helps to hear from others out there doing the same thing, good days, bad days and for better or for worse. Come and check it out. No pressure to speak, welcome to listen. Email info@thebacklounge.org to get the zoom link registry (closes one hour before we start). 📅 Wednesday 13th May 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT

As we roll into summer season and that familiar swing between no work panic and total overwhelm, our next BACK LOUNGE is a ‘how to’ stay grounded and keep your focus on what really matters- the work you’re passionate about AND that enables your life (and pays your rent). Matthew Hales VP, Team Leadership & Culture at Tait, will be helping us navigate the wobbly moments, from exploring a sense of psychological safety, without which we feel under threat and act out of sometimes unconsciously, to wherever you’re landing on the barometer of coping. Email info@thebacklounge.org to pre-register for the zoom link (closes one hour before we start). 📅 Wednesday 6th May 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT

CYBERSECURITY is this week’s BACK LOUNGE with Jason Danter Production Manager and Maks Czuperski CEO/Co-founder of Sweep. Every time a tour goes out, we trust that sensitive info – passports, travel details, personal data, financials – is kept safe, but just how secure is it? From unsecured WiFi networks to fake hotspots, tours are increasingly exposed to potential breaches. And as routing expands into emerging markets, understanding digital landscapes, surveillance and online presence becomes even more critical. THIS CALL WILL NOT BE RECORDED. To join the zoom, email info@thebacklounge.org to pre-register (closes an hour before the call starts) Wednesday 22nd April 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT.