Women Advancing Live
Women Advancing Live
Lissete Vega
Tune in to learn more about the many amazing women who work behind the scenes to make live events a reality! Looking to work in the live event industry? This podcast is meant to provide you with insightful advice and inspiration from established professionals as they share their personal stories of how it's like working in the world of live music. Make sure to stay up updated with us Instagram: instagram.com/womenadvancinglive and our website at https://womenadvancinglive.com/
An Interview with an Assistant Tour Manager & VIP Manager - Justine Randle
Justine Randle is an Assistant Tour Manager and VIP Manager who knew from an early age that she wanted to dedicate her time and make a career out of music. She has been involved in the live event industry for many years and got her start by volunteering at festivals. She has gone on to work various roles in live events such as box office, hospitality, and VIP, and in 2022 went out on her first tour for KARD as an Assistant Tour Manager. Since then she has gone on to work various tours for artists such as NCT 127, Mamamoo, Lauryn Hill, and WOODZ to name a few. You can follow and connect with Justine over on Instagram @jujurockstar. Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Justine Randle (01:42) Icebreaker questions (04:19) Justine's start working in live events (09:35) Transitioning to touring (15:24) Prioritizing well-being on the road (18:20) Responsiblities as an Assistant TM (26:25) Challenges working in the industry (35:40) Advice for aspiring live event industry professionals (39:20) Career highlights working in the industry
May 14, 2024
43 min
An Interview with a Production Manager - Clarissa McElroy
Clarissa McElroy is a Production Manager who got her start in the industry back in 2016 and has worked a wide variety of jobs across many departments such as guest services, ticketing, VIP, production and more. Clarissa’s passion and love for live events were evident to those she worked with and her hard-work as led her to her current position as a Production Manager for Live Nation! You can follow Clarissa over on Instagram @clarissaaamichelleee Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Clarissa (01:41) Icebreaker Questions (05:04) Clarissa's start working in live events (09:22) Persevering when experiencing rejections and hardships (18:09) Transitioning to her current role as a Production Manager (23:02) Overview of what a Production Manager (25:06) Overcoming challenges in her career (32:23) Personal achievements working in the industry (39:04) Advice for aspiring live event professionals
May 7, 2024
45 min
An Interview with a Systems Engineer - Sam Boone
Sam Boone is a Systems Engineer who got her start in the industry back in 2019 when she starting working with a local production company. Sam hit the road for the first time working as the Systems Engineer for Volbeat's 2022 tour. She has worked with various acts such as Lee Brice, Lindsey Stirling, and Miguel to name a few. Just this year Sam was awarded the 2024 NextGen Parnelli award for the work she's done as a systems engineer. You can follow her over on ⁠Instagram⁠ @officiallysamboone. Also, make sure to head over to her website www.samanthabooneaudio.com where you can check out all the amazing work she's done! Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Sam Boone (01:31) Icebreaker Questions (04:28) An overview of what a Systems Engineer does (07:54) Sam’s start working in audio (12:09) Connecting and meeting her mentors (15:47) First experience on tour (17:46) Typical day as a touring Systems Engineer (21:52) Overcoming challenges in her career (24:47) Sam’s interest working in live events (30:11) Highlights and milestones in her career (35:13) Surprising things about the industry (36:56) Maintaining a work-life balance (40:32) Advice for aspiring live event professionals
Apr 30, 2024
45 min
An Interview with a Marketing and Live Event Professional - Stacey Morales
Stacey Morales is a live event professional who got her start in the industry back in 2019 when she began working on street teams and volunteering for concerts. She has gone on to work various roles in the industry as a VIP Assistant, Production Assistant, Tour Manager, and more. Currently, she works as a Tour Marketing Coordinator with Live Nation and has worked on tour marketing campaigns for artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, TWICE, ITZY, and IVE to name a few. Passionate and dedicated to giving back to the next generation of music industry professionals, Stacey established her own music mentorship program, 1520 Vision. You can follow Stacey over on Instagram @staceymorales. You can also follow and stay updated about 1520 Vision on LinkedIn or Instagram. Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Stacey Morales (01:32) Icebreaker Questions (04:53) Stacey's start working in live events (10:55) Role as a tour marketing coordinator (17:48) 1520 Vision - Establishing a mentorship program (24:14) Dealing with hardships in the industry (30:26) Surprising things about the industry (34:52) Advice for aspiring professionals
Apr 23, 2024
43 min
An Interview with a Tour Manager - Lotje Horvers
Lotje Horvers is a Tour Manager who has been working in the live event industry for 21 years. She got her start by putting on DIY events, working as a stagehand, and agent assistant. She has toured with various artists such as Fever Ray, Within Tempation, M83, Röyksopp, and Robyn, to name a few. She’s super passionate when it comes to teaching and giving back to the younger generation of live event professionals. As well as being a big advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry. During the pandemic, she started the non-profit Backstage Pass which aims to inspire and encourage young women in the Netherlands who are looking to pursue a career in live music. You can follow Lotje over on Instagram @lotjeTM. Also, definitely check out her website diversityontour.com where she shares an abundance of tips and resources for aspiring live event professionals. Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Lotje (01:59) Icebreaker questions (11:34) Lotje's start working in live events (18:17) Work coming to a stop due to pandemic (21:12) Overview of Backstage Pass - A non-profit aimed at empowering women who are aspiring live event professionals in the Netherlands (28:13) Uplifting next generation of live event professionals (31:01) Advice for aspiring live event professionals
Apr 16, 2024
37 min
An Interview with a Production Coordinator, Production Manager, & Tour Manager - Lou Rochdi
Lou Rochdi is a Production Coordinator, Production Manager, and Tour Manager who got her start in the industry when she worked her first Coachella in 2022. A few months later, her first tour opportunity presented itself and she went out on the road as the Production Coordinator for Joji. She has since had the opportunity to work for various other artists under the label 88rising such as Stephanie Poetri, Rich Brian, and Warren Hue, to name a few. Just this year, Lou was nominated for best production coordinator at the Live Production Summit and the Production Futures Breakthrough Talent Awards. Outside of her work in live events, she has also helped establish a non-profit organization known as ⁠Gen Admission⁠ which aids in providing educational content and resources for other aspiring music industry professionals. You can follow her over on ⁠Instagram @lou_rhd⁠. You can also check out her website here: ⁠lourochdi.wixstudio.io/production. You can access the episode transcript here: https://womenadvancinglive.com/lou-rochdi-transcript/ Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Lou Rochdi (02:05) Icebreaker Questions (08:10) Lou's start working in live events (16:04) Preparing for her first tour (22:44) Dealing with anxiety and negative emotions on the road (27:21) Jump from theater to arena tours (30:36) Useful skills for her roles (34:34) Overview of Gen Admission - a resource for aspiring music industry professionals (38:39) Advice for aspiring live event professionals
Apr 9, 2024
48 min
An Interview with a VIP Tour Representative - Vivienne Huynh
Vivienne Huynh is a VIP Tour Representative who has been working in the live event industry for four years. With a big love for music, she got involved in the industry by joining street teams, selling merch, and working as a local assistant. Her hard work and dedication eventually led her to become a VIP Tour Representative for VIP Nation and went out on her first tour in 2023 for SUGA of BTS. She has gone on to work tours for TWICE, Jonas Brothers, and IVE. You can follow and connect with her over on Instagram @viviennehuynh. Also make sure to check out Jaded Productions, a music industry resource which Vivienne works with as the Chief Marketing Officer. You can access the episode transcript here: https://womenadvancinglive.com/vivienne-huynh-transcript/ Timestamps: (0:00) Introducing Vivienne Huynh (1:48) Icebreaker Questions (3:54) Vivienne's start working in live events (8:10) An overview of what VIP entails (10:22) Transitioning to working on tours (13:20) Coping with homesickness and hard times on the road (15:12) Surprising things about the industry (17:54) Realizing that working in live events can be a career (22:06) Responsibilities as a VIP Tour Rep (26:01) Advice for aspiring live events professionals - Authentic networking
Apr 2, 2024
31 min
An Interview with a Tour Manager - Maya Dottin
Maya Dottin is a Tour Manager who got her start in live events back in 2021 when she began working for a local concert promoter in Toronto, Ontario. Her passion and eagerness to grow in the field were evident to those in her network and Maya would soon land opportunities through which she would develop her skills in live events further. She hit the road for the first time in 2023 working as the Production Coordinator for NxWorries’ European and UK run. She has since had the opportunity to work on other tours as a Merch Manager and Tour Manager and has worked with acts such as Cavetown, Röyksopp, MAY-A, Housewife, and Meet Me @ The Altar. You can follow and connect with her over on Instagram @maya_j_main. You can access the episode transcript here: https://womenadvancinglive.com/maya-dottin-transcripts/ Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Maya (01:32) Icebreaker questions (04:56) Maya’s start working in live events (10:55) Adjusting to her first touring role (14:02) First experience as a tour manager (16:56) Maya’s interest in tour management (18:04) Overview of what a tour manager does (19:39) Dealing with burnout on the road (22:50) Useful skills for being a tour manager (25:08) Overcoming challenges (29:04) Advice for aspiring live event professionals
Mar 26, 2024
37 min
An Interview with a Concert Photographer - Priti Shikotra
Based in Manchester, UK, Priti Shikotra has been freelancing as a concert photographer for over five years. During her career so far, she has been commissioned to work with clients such as Kerrang! Magazine, BBC Introducing, Manchester International Festival, and more. She has also had the opportunity to shoot amazing artists including Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Usher to name a few. You can follow her over on Instagram and Twitter @pshikotraphoto. Also, make sure to head over to her website www.pshikotra.com where you can see her portfolio and all the amazing work she's done! Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Priti Shikotra (01:30) Icebreaker Questions (03:29) Priti's start with concert photography (07:21) Booking concert photography gigs (13:27) Things about that industry that were surprising (14:54) Experiencing imposter syndrome (18:02) Job versatility with photography (20:22) Adjusting to motherhood (23:00) Returning to work post-Covid (25:38) Relaxation time (29:09) Advice for aspiring concert photographers (33:59) Being paid for your work (37:02) Advertising yourself and your work
Mar 21, 2024
40 min
An Interview with a Tour Coordinator - Kelly Redl
Kelly Redl has been working in the live event industry since 2016 and is currently a tour coordinator for the K-pop production company Studio PAV. Originally starting out in sports, Kelly has used her relevant skills and networking to break into live music. In just a few years she has worked for over sixty concerts and has helped coordinate seven tours for the likes of Dreamcatcher, VAV, Teen Top, and more. You can follow her over on Instagram @kkellyy.___, where she gives tips and shares her experience working in music. Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Kelly Redl (01:34) Icebreaker Questions (03:48) Kelly's start in live events (06:26) Things that surprised Kelly when starting her touring career (09:30) Thinking on your feet in unexpected situations (11:50) Getting gigs when being green in the industry (15:14) Transitioning from a career in sports to live music (17:19) Volunteering to gain hands-on experience (18:42) Gaining more responsibilities on tour (20:42) Being a team player and learning opportunities (22:48) Finding balance amongst a rough schedule on the road (24:31) Advice for those wanting to get into the live event industry (27:02) Effective networking
Mar 21, 2024
32 min
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