DHP's Scott O'Neill
Hello Scott, can you tell me how you first started promoting gigs?
Whilst studying for a Chemistry degree at Manchester University I was frustrated that my favourite bands were not visiting the city, so I would reach out and try and make something happen. After dabbling with organising shows for awful ska punk bands I played in as a teenager I knew the basics. My first show was for Bat for Lashes, Gang Gang Dance and Emmy The Great at an art centre in Hulme, Manchester in 2006. Suffice to say back then I didn't have a clue what I was doing and blew my student loan in one night! It was a great show though. It was only ever intended to be a hobby.
Congratulations on being nominated in the New Business Talent (Tomorrow's New Boss) category of the International Live Music Business Awards. How does it feel to be recognised by your peers in such a way?
I am very humbled to have been nominated for this award. At least my mum thinks i'm doing something right now anyway!
Most promototers that I know in the DIY-community never make any money or just make enough to break even. How did you take what can be an expensive passion and turn that in to a career?
I was lucky that when I started organising these shows, the music that I loved happened to develop a bit of a following and was slightly alien to the big national promoters. So I was able to work with such great artists as Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, Daniel Johnston. And apart from their loyal fans, 10 years ago the rest of the industry wasn't paying attention to these acts and I was able to work with them through to big shows, developing my own company which I ran for 5 years, organising shows across the country, before I joined DHP Family.
How long have you been working for DHP and can you explain what you do for them?
I have been at DHP as a national promoter for 5 years. I book shows across the country for artists including The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Catfish and The Bottlemen, The War On Drugs, Future Islands, Lianne La Havas, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Can you briefly explain what a typical day for you might entail?
Catching up on emails that came in the night before, then working on some offers for the upcoming tours on artists I have been working with a long time, all whilst constantly fitting in phone calls to agents to catch up on plans, pitching for new acts, chatting with colleagues in the office on new event ideas before leaving the office to head to a show.
How involved are you on the actual day of a show you are promoting?
The DHP production team and I are involved in all planning leading up to the show, through hospitality, production etc. We have a great team of brilliant show reps who will be the artists' point of contact on the day. They will be there first to get the venue and backstage ready. I will check in with a call to the rep to make sure everything is going OK, then often I might pop down to the venue during soundcheck to say hello to everybody, then stick around all night to watch the band.
What have been your favourite shows and artists to put on?
I have worked with Daniel Johnston for ten years and even toured as a guitarist and pianist in his band. So I will always have a soft spot for him. He's a rare artist whose lyrics are heartbreaking and I encourage everyone to check him out if you don't already know him. The documentary called The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a great start.
What have been you most memorable moments, either good or bad, as a promoter?
About seven years ago I took a crazy risk in my pre-DHP days. I organised a tour for a very famous hip hop act, and confirmed three shows, including one at Brixton Academy. The day before, they told me they were in Germany and were not going to come to England. I had worked all summer to sell out the shows and had persuaded a friend to remortgage his house to help with the huge deposit. So I was damned if this was going to happen. I grabbed a friend and the two of us went to the airport and asked for the first plane to Frankfurt. We speeded down the Autobahn and managed to get to the venue in time for them coming off stage. Us two little English guys surrounded by ten intimidating hip hop stars saying "Lets go to England!" and are met with a firm "no". We work hard on persuading them all night and manage to get to the first show and they played a sucessful tour. There were many more parts to this story not suitable for print. I'll tell you them over a beer!
Who are you currently working with?
Upcoming shows or recent favourite gigs of mine include Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds, The Lumineers, The War on Drugs, Future Islands, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Half Moon Run, Bonnie Prince Billy
Do you have any advice for any budding promoters out there who may be reading this?
One thing you can never buy is credibility. Stick to what you love and don't get lost along the way and good things will happen.
Scott O’Neill was one of the six finalists in the New Business Talent (Tomorrow’s New Boss) category of International Live Music Business Awards 2016 run by industry title IQ magazine.
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