Welcome to the latest edition of Six Questions With..., a short and sharp interview with a live music figure. Email jhanley@nbmedia.com if you would like to take part or recommend someone for inclusion.
This week's Q&A is with Andy George, director of Lost Village Festival, which will be held in Lincolnshire from August 24-27.
What was your first job in music?
Creating our music brand, Moda and Moda Black, just after leaving school; it led to us promoting some pretty great club events, a record label and consequently led to us being asked to demo for Radio 1, then getting a show. We’ve always been hungry to try and create our own events and just try to do things slightly differently, creating things is addictive!
How long have you been in your current role?
We’d spent the last seven years travelling the world and being lucky enough to DJ at some of the world’s best clubs and festivals. There’s less and less time for that now as Lost Village has grown and it’s been incredibly satisfying being able to diversify what we do and invest time and energy into something we’ve spent years thinking about. We’re constantly evolving Lost Village and so now, in it’s third year, we’re more excited than ever about our plans for it, it takes us right though the spectrum of things we love; food, discovery, relaxation, comedy, immersive theatre and of course, music.
What is your favourite thing about working in the music industry?
I guess it’s the diversity and probably the people who make it. I’ve met some insanely brilliant people who have gone on to become some of our best friends. Having been in music for over 10 years now, you’re constantly learning something new or trying to do something differently. There’s no rule book and it means there’s endless opportunity to create.
What is the one thing you would like to change about the business?
From a festival promoter point of view, it would be super beneficial to everyone if, very occasionally, there was understanding that we’re putting huge amounts both personally and financially to create unique events. Sometimes it feels like everything has to be in the artist’s favour 100% of the time and it doesn’t need to be that way. More collaboration is probably key.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Selling out year one of Lost Village, after spending years obsessing over it, was pretty special. We’ve had some incredible pinch-your-self moments; from DJing on the beach in Tokyo, to presenting Pete Tong’s Radio 1 show and flying in the Red Bull air-race in Budapest - all pretty special!
What is the best gig you’ve ever been to?
A real life-changing gig was first seeing Soulwax back in 2004. Since then, probably DJ-ing in the grounds of an insane castle close to sunrise at Exit Festival in Serbia.
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