IQ is the essential magazine for the international live music business and this month’s 61st issue introduces ten of tomorrow’s new bosses featuring none other than DHP Family promoter Scott O’Neill.
2015 marks IQ’s eighth year of it’s New Bosses segment, which boasts a fiercely contested selection of just 10 individuals from around the world who are seen to be thriving entrepreneurs in the live entertainment sector. It is a fantastic achievement for Scott to be featured in this prestigious segment. Read on for Scott’s interview with IQ’s New Bosses editor Gordon Masson.
Aged 15, Scott started organising gigs by accident as a way to try and get his “terrible” ska punk band support slots in Liverpool. Dismayed that none of his favourite bands were visiting Manchester, where he was studying chemistry at university, Scott used his student loan and overdraft to persuade acts to perform in the city, where he promoted shows by the likes of Animal Collective, Band of Horses, and Sun Kil Moon, and started developing good relationships with American indie acts.
How did you turn your hobby into a career?
I ran my own promotions company for five years, based in Manchester, until 2011, when I moved to DHP.
What are the most memorable moments you have of running your own company?
Promoting Wu Tang Clan at Brixton. The day before the show I had to fly to Germany to round them up and put them on a plane, because their tour manager quit and they hinted they might not turn up to my show. I also promoted Gil Scott Heron at Manchester Opera House, and managed to negotiate a contract with Manchester Cathedral to hold their diary, run the bar and handle all music events.
How did you find making the step up from local to national?
I was actually promoting 150 shows a year across the country, including many acts nationally. But since I started at DHP, nearly five years ago, I’ve been an integral part of the company’s recent growth from a Midlands regional promoter, to a leading national promoter.
Who is on your roster?
Acts I now personally work with include The War on Drugs, Milky Chance, Bonnie Prince Billy, Cat Power, Slowdive, The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Catfish and The Bottlemen, Lianne La Havas, Half Moon Run, The Staves, Wild Beasts, The Tallest Man On Earth, Future Islands, Warpaint and Rodriguez.
Click here to read the full September issue of IQ.