Welcome to another special episode of the SuperSwell Podcast.

In November 2025, the SuperSwell was invited by the Future Of Festivals Conference in Berlin to host a series of one-to-one interviews with leading professionals from the live music industry, to take place over 2 days at the Roundtable Stage in the heart of the event.

Part 1 of this 2 part series brings together four conversations with people tackling some of the biggest challenges facing festivals, venues and touring today. From the economics of independence to audience experience, climate risk and the wellbeing of touring crews, we explore what it really takes to build a sustainable future for live music.

First up, John Rostron, CEO of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), explains why more than 200 UK festivals have disappeared since the pandemic, and how turning anecdotal concerns into hard evidence has helped put the crisis on the government’s radar. We discuss the growing divide between the headline success of major concerts and the struggles further down the live music pyramid, the importance of community-rooted festivals, and why collaboration, safer spaces, sustainability initiatives and proposed music festival tax relief could make a real difference.

Then, Dirk Dreyer, General Manager of AEG Germany’s Uber Eats Music Hall, looks back at taking over a new venue just as Covid brought live events to a standstill and how he helped rebuild the profile of the Music Hall post-pandemic , competing in Berlin’s crowded mid-sized venue market, and how naming-rights partnerships can become more than a logo on a building when they genuinely improve the audience experience. As expectations around comfort, security and service evolve, Dirk explains what it takes to make a venue stand out.

Next, Jana Posth, festival director of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, shares how one of Germany’s most established rock festival brands balances tradition with change. With audiences spanning generations and demand reaching new heights, we explore investment in sound, production and comfort, rising costs even when an event sells out, and the growing operational challenges posed by extreme weather, political protests and the need to create safe, inclusive spaces. Jana also makes a compelling case for more women to pursue leadership and technical roles in the festival industry.

Finally, Dr Arun Castro of Roadie Medic talks about his work with various artists and turns the spotlight on the people audiences rarely see: the technicians, crew and freelancers whose health and wellbeing underpin every successful show. We discuss the physical toll of touring, disrupted circadian rhythms, burnout, performance anxiety and hearing damage, alongside the case for on-site clinics, better access to mental health support and clearer industry-wide guidelines. Because looking after the people who make live music possible shouldn’t be an afterthought.

So, this episode managers to cover four very different conversations with extremely experienced guests, covering essential issues in today's business. All of them focused on how we can make all aspects of live music work better for everyone.

This episode was recorded at the Future Of Festivals, Station Berlin, on Thursday 27th & Friday 28th November 2025.

More about:

Future Of Festivals: https://futureoffestivals.com/en/main/

Association of Independent Festivals (AIF UK): https://www.aiforg.com/

Uber Eats Music Hall: https://www.uber-eats-music-hall.de/en/

Rock Am Ring/Rock Im Park Festivals: https://www.rock-am-ring.com/en / https://www.rock-im-park.com/en

Roadie Medic: https://roadiemedic.com/

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Welcome to Part 3 of this short series of podcasts brought to you by TicketSwap, the safest and fairest way to buy and sell tickets online.
In this episode, we speak with Phil Simpson, a passionate concert-goer and sports fan whose calendar is packed with gigs, festivals and football matches across Europe. From intimate club shows and forest festivals to major arena tours and international sporting events, Phil represents the modern event consumer: informed, enthusiastic and increasingly conscious of the challenges facing live entertainment.

Our conversation begins with the emotional side of live events and why music and sport continue to play such an important role in people's lives. Phil reflects on the unique connection that comes from experiencing artists live, the growth of concert tourism, and the sense of community that can emerge when thousands of strangers come together around a shared passion. Whether travelling to Madrid for a concert or attending matches closer to home, he explains why live experiences remain a central part of his lifestyle.

We also explore how rising ticket prices are changing consumer behaviour. Phil discusses becoming more selective about the events he attends, the growing cost of following favourite artists, and the difficult balance between affordability and the desire to experience live music. From arena tours and football matches to smaller independent shows, he shares how price increasingly shapes decisions about where, when and how often fans can attend events.

A major focus of the discussion is ticket resale. Having used TicketSwap for more than a decade, Phil explains why safety and trust matter so much to buyers, particularly when purchasing tickets for sold-out events. We discuss the risks of fraud, the value of verified resale platforms, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing a ticket is genuine before arriving at the venue.

The conversation also tackles the ethics of the resale market. Phil argues that tickets should not be treated as investment assets and shares his frustration with excessive mark-ups that put events out of reach for genuine fans. We discuss why capped resale models appeal to many consumers, whether tickets should be governed purely by supply and demand, and how organisers, artists and platforms can help keep events accessible.

Along the way, we examine some of the biggest frustrations facing ticket buyers today, from online queues and overwhelming demand to hidden fees and a lack of transparency around where ticket revenue ultimately ends up. Phil also reflects on what he would like to see change in the future, including fairer pricing, greater transparency, more opportunities for genuine fans to access tickets, and stronger support for community-driven events and independent artists.

For anyone who has ever sat in a virtual queue, searched desperately for a sold-out ticket, questioned why attending live events has become so expensive, or wondered what fair ticketing should look like, this episode offers an honest and relatable look at the ticketing ecosystem from the perspective that matters most: the fan.

Get the "Inside The Future Of Live Events - Backstage With Gen Z" report: https://www.ticketswap.com/magazine/article/ade-report

TicketSwap Germany Partner Page: https://partners.ticketswap.com/de

TicketSwap Global Homepage: https://www.ticketswap.com

About TicketSwap: https://www.ticketswap.com/content/about-us

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ticketswap

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ticketswap

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketswap

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TicketSwap

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The SuperSwell

The SuperSwell Newsletter

Contact: podcast@thesuperswell.com

Welcome to Part 2 of this short series of podcasts brought to you by TicketSwap, the safest and fairest way to buy and sell tickets online.

In this episode, we speak with Jannik Badnowitz, a co-creater of Shifted Festival, the independent techno festival that has grown from a group of friends organising Berlin club nights and free raves into one of Germany's emerging community-focused electronic music events.

While the conversation explores the story behind Shifted Festival and its rapid growth, it also offers a fascinating organiser's perspective on ticketing, pricing and the role that resale plays in today's live events ecosystem.

We discuss how Shifted approaches ticket pricing, why early-bird tickets are so important for independent festivals, and the challenge of balancing rising costs with a commitment to keeping events accessible. Jannik explains how the festival's community-first philosophy influences everything from pricing structures and travel incentives to reduced-price tickets for those who might otherwise struggle to attend.

Trust is one of the most valuable currencies in live events so the conversation examines the growing importance of safe and transparent ticket resale as part of the responsibility an organiser has towards its customers. As a TicketSwap partner, Shifted adopted an official resale solution from the beginning to protect fans from scams, prevent excessive mark-ups and ensure tickets remain available to genuine attendees. We look at how organisers benefit from having visibility into resale activity, what resale data can reveal about audience behaviour, and why fair resale options are becoming an increasingly important part of the ticket-buying journey.

Along the way, we discuss ticket affordability, platform fees, the risks of excessive market concentration within ticketing, and whether primary ticketing companies operating their own resale platforms ultimately benefits fans. Jannik shares his thoughts on the importance of transparency, competition and maintaining fan choice within the wider ticketing ecosystem.

For anyone interested in the realities of running an independent festival, building a community around live events, or understanding how organisers think about ticketing and resale, this episode provides valuable insight from the front line of today's live music industry.

Shifted Festival takes place 06-09 August, 2026

Shifted Festival Homepage: https://www.shifted-festival.com

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shifted_festival

On Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shifted-festival

Get the "Inside The Future Of Live Events - Backstage With Gen Z" report: https://www.ticketswap.com/magazine/article/ade-report

TicketSwap Germany Partner Page: https://partners.ticketswap.com/de

TicketSwap Global Homepage: https://www.ticketswap.com

About TicketSwap: https://www.ticketswap.com/content/about-us

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ticketswap

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ticketswap

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketswap

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TicketSwap

More about the SuperSwell

The SuperSwell

The SuperSwell Newsletter

Contact: podcast@thesuperswell.com