After a wee summer holiday, The BACK LOUNGE is back! September’s creeping up, and that back to school feeling is in the air, and after some time off I’ll admit I’ve been a bit twitchy (guess it only hurts when you stop, right?) This session is a check in, no theme just how you’re doing and how the summer’s treated you. Email info@thebacklounge.org for the zoom link, any time from now ‘til 30mins before the call begins. Wednesday 27th August 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT
‘WHEN YOU GET LET GO’ also known as ‘NOT ASKED BACK’ – is our subject next week on The BACK LOUNGE. It happens to the best of us, and even though it might be a right of passage, it can sting and take a while for your self-esteem to recover. Our guest helping us unpick the associated feelings is Lara Cullen joining us again @_thepeopleperson, author and executive coach with lived experience of the live music industry. Our focus will be how to pick yourself up, forgive on every level, and move on. This call will not be recorded. Everyone welcome. Email info@thebacklounge.org for the zoom link, any time from now ‘til 30mins before the call begins. Wednesday 6th August 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT/10am PDT
Next week on The BACK LOUNGE, it’s a FEISTY & FURRY takeover with Joanne Croxford, Tour manager – & Chez Stock, Audio engineer – both of whom are outspoken advocates for making touring better. It’s a pet special and we welcome you to bring your best furry friend/s or photos of them and let’s get together and share the laughs, whines and whoops of why we love our pets so fiercely ???????????????????????????? Email info@thebacklounge.org for the zoom link, any time from now ‘til 30mins before the call begins. Wednesday 16th July 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT/10am PDT
As summer peaks, this week’s BACK LOUNGE is ‘protecting your space & staying sane’. No magic solutions, more a catch up for anyone feeling the pressure and overstimulation and impact of others that is this season. Tour Manager Tom Green and Event Producer Jo Hartle are helping figure how to maintain those boundaries. Email info@thebacklounge.org for the zoom link, any time from now til 30mins before the call begins. Wednesday 9th July 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT/10am PDT
5 years ago when the pandemic hit, our planet shifted on its axis, and so many of us were left out of work with no idea what was going to happen to us and our beloved industry. With little financial support or recognition by ‘those in charge’, The BACK LOUNGE was born out of a need to connect and find other people that understood what it felt like to have it all shut down overnight. I’d heard about this thing called ‘zoom’ and posted out on FB if anyone felt as disconnected as I did… And so our meets began 30th June 2020, once a week, every week, sometimes more and we held together through the worst times, and since then our community has grown, with 1000s connecting, first online at our meets, then later at shows and festivals around the world. If you work in live events and touring, in whatever capacity, and at whatever stage of your career, starting out, in the thick of it, or retired and wanting connection with the tribe, come along. Wednesday is our 5th birthday, and literally 100s of zooms and themed calls later, this one is to celebrate what it means to be part of something with people who can relate. No one pays us to do this, its free and we all support its continued running for free. If you’ve been before and we’ve not seen you in a while, or its your first time, be brave, reach out and come along ???? Email info@thebacklounge.org for the zoom link, any time from now til 30mins before the call begins. Wednesday 2nd July 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT/10am PDT. Thank you everyone who’s shown up, devoted their time and expertise and just shown willing ❤ Happy 5th birthday to us ✊????
Our next BACK LOUNGE is a focus on men’s mental health. If that’s how you identify, or to show support & camaraderie for the guys in your life, this session is with mental health advocate Rowan McDonagh & music industry psychotherapist Chris Madden. Email info@thebacklounge.org for the zoom link, any time from now til 30mins before the call begins. Wednesday 18th June -Slightly later start 6.30pm London / 7.30pm CET / 1.30pm EDT/10.30am PDT. This call is a safe space and will not be recorded. Everyone welcome
Next week on The BACK LOUNGE, its about maintaining CALM, how do you incorporate a yoga and/or meditation mindset into your life, and if you haven’t managed to when you’ve tried, what’s got in the way? Our host is Sytske Kamstra, Event Producer and Yoga Therapist, who by her own admission, sometimes is able to successfully show up for herself, and sometimes life gets in the way = call it being HUMAN. To join the discussion email info@thebacklounge.org to register AT LEAST 30 MINS before the call starts for your zoom link. Wednesday 4th June 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT
Managing grief and bereavement is our discussion next Thursday on The BACK LOUNGE with music savvy guest psychotherapist Adrianna Irvine http://adriannatherapy.com/ Whatever you may have unfolding back home, it can be hard to manage when you’re on the road. Many of us are avoidant at the best of times, and touring can be a great place to hide, so how can we manage our feelings without being avoidant, and not let the team down? Thursday (note not our usual Wednesday) 29th May 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT
If this resonates in any way, to join our call, email info@thebacklounge.org to register AT LEAST 30 MINS before the call starts for your zoom link
Managing grief and bereavement is our discussion next Thursday on The BACK LOUNGE with music savvy guest psychotherapist Adrianna Irvine http://adriannatherapy.com/ Whatever you may have unfolding back home, it can be hard to manage when you’re on the road. Many of us are avoidant at the best of times, and touring can be a great place to hide, so how can we manage our feelings without being avoidant, and not let the team down? Thursday (note not our usual Wednesday) 29th May 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT
If this resonates in any way, to join our call, email info@thebacklounge.org to register AT LEAST 30 MINS before the call starts for your zoom link
Meet Ashlee Veghte – winner of TPI Rigger of the Year Award 2025. Not what you were expecting? Things come in different packages these days! This week on The BACK LOUNGE we’re challenging preconceptions and celebrating all genders working across ALL roles backstage. We’d like to inspire anyone who’s keen to do it their way. Guys so welcome too, this discussion is not meant to be an echo chamber. To join our discussion, email info@thebacklounge.org to register AT LEAST 30 MINS before the call starts for your zoom link. Wednesday 21st May 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT
Next week on The BACK LOUNGE, it’s the truly fabulous Joanne Croxford in charge. Tour Manager, Tour Asst and proud ‘Roadie in Recovery’ long term advocate of destigmatising recovery on the road. All welcome! To join our discussion, email info@thebacklounge.org to register AT LEAST 30 MINS before the call starts for your zoom link. Wednesday 14th May 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm
This week on The BACK LOUNGE, it’s a check in, whatever you do across live music and events, you’re welcome here and wherever you are at in your career. We’re here to share knowledge, cheer you on, and commiserate when you need it. Our chats tend to cross both, such is the way on the road. I’m away at the fabulous GTL Sessions, so Rowan McDonagh will be chairing this one. To join our discussion, email info@thebacklounge.org to register AT LEAST 30 MINS before the call starts for your zoom link. Wednesday 7th May 6pm London / 7pm CET / 1pm EDT / 10am PDT