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 Nathan Reed, founder and MD of event creator Mega Events.
What was your first job in the music industry
The first thing I ever did was try to run a music festival when I was 18 in some beautiful national trust gardens in Somerset. In hindsight it was bloody foolish, but it got me going and two years later I founded Mega. The festival did OK - I didn’t go bust.
How long have you been in your current role
Organising events is pretty much all I’ve ever done, but as managing director of Mega in its current incarnation, eight years.
What is your favourite thing about working in the music industry?
I love the creative side of building shows. As a company we like to focus on themes, interesting production, stage characters and skilled performers alongside the music. I love that special moment when all of a sudden the elements of your show coalesce to become more than the sum of their parts.
What is the one thing you would like to change about working in the music business?
Nothing really. It is what you make of it and we’ve got it pretty good in comparison with other industries.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
There are a good few moments that I would consider to be highlights, but in terms of a watershed, hitting 140,000 ticket sales in the last 12 months with my team, many of whom are good friends who have grown with Mega, had me pinching myself a bit.
What is the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Its between Justin Timberlake and Slayer…
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