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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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

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Welcome to Part 1 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 explore the world of live events and ticketing with Christoph Radjeh, TicketSwap's regional lead for Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Our conversation examines how the ticketing landscape, and resale in particular, has dramatically evolved, from risky exchanges on Facebook or tense chats outside venues to becoming an every day, established, often-used part of the live events ecosystem.

Christoph explains how TicketSwap was founded as a direct response to witnessed ticket fraud and says why resale has become an increasingly important part of helping fans buy and sell tickets safely whenever circumstances and demand change.

We explore some of the unique characteristics of the German market, where attitudes towards ticketing and resale often differ from those in other countries. Despite the industry's move towards digital solutions, many German fans still prefer physical paper tickets, seeing them not only as proof of entry but as keepsakes and lasting memories of live experiences. This preference has influenced how ticketing providers, like TicketSwap, operate in the region.

A key part of the discussion focuses on TicketSwap's partnership with Die Toten Hosen, one of Germany's most iconic bands. The collaboration combines official resale with technology that allows fans holding physical tickets to resell physical versions of them safely while protecting buyers from fraud and invalid tickets. Christoph explains why initiatives like this are helping to bring greater transparency and trust to the secondary market.

We also discuss the responsibilities of artists, promoters and ticketing companies in creating a fairer marketplace, the challenges of balancing commercial realities with fan expectations, and how new technologies could be utilized to reduce fraud and improve the ticket-buying experience in the years ahead.

There are unique insights regarding TicketSwap's recent research into changing audience behaviour across Europe, via the Inside The Future of Live Events report they commissioned, revealing how Gen Z customers especially, but not exclusively, are reshaping expectations around flexibility, community and live experiences.

Whether you're an event organiser, artist, industry professional or dedicated event-goer, this episode offers an inside look at the forces shaping the future of ticketing.

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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This is the eleventh edition of The Delicates' Lounge - a podcast for all us music event tourists who love to be where the action is and occasionally like to grumble about having to queue for our passes or a beer or to get into a venue. You know, all things that we missed for so long during the pandemic (remember that?).

Now and again we’ll get together with a handful of delicate delegates at one of the many events we love to go to.

This time we're joined by: head of Bella Union, Cocteau Twins bassist, & author Simon Raymonde; the busy MD of ESNS Anna van Nunen; Canada's NXNE legend Brian Hetherman; Linnéa Svensson of Greener Events; Pollstar's Brij Gosai; Guna Zučika of Every Little Thing & Riga Music Week; & c/o Pop's Ralph Christoph.

We talked about our experiences at this year's Eurosonic, as it celebrates its 40th year anniversary, as well as all the projects we are working on.

We recorded this conversation during Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen, Netherlands on Thursday 15th & Friday 16th January, 2026.

A huge thank you to the very helpful Eurosonic conference team - especially Frank Janssen & Eveline van der Sijde - for bringing us to their event and providing us with the lovely space to set up our little studio.

For further information about some of the things & people mentioned in this episode:

Linnéa Svensson - Greener Events

Brij Gosai - Pollstar

Simon Raymonde - Bella Union / In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor and Me

Anna van Nunen - ESNS

Brian Hetherman - NXNE

Guna Zučika - Riga Music Week

Ralph Christoph - c/o Pop Convention

The Delicates' Lounge Podcast is a SuperSwell production.

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When an impressionable young Daryl Bamonte saw Marc Bolan on Top of the Pops, he couldn't have imagined the extraordinary musical journey it would trigger. Growing up on a council estate in Basildon alongside future Depeche Mode members, Daryl's life took a pivotal turn when he left school and became their first roadie in 1980.

From hauling keyboards on beer crates, driving the band's van, and managing backing-tapes to overseeing world tours and even eventually stepping on stage as a performing member of Depeche Mode himself, Daryl shares the remarkable inside story of working with legendary bands who went on to define the alternative music scene.

He tells host, Alex Maiolo, about Mute Records' Daniel Miller's crucial influence on Depeche Mode's idea of artistic freedom, the surreal experience of being thrown in to playing to a stadiumful of fans without any prior performing experience, and the profound bonds he has formed with others over decades in the music industry.

As well as his work with Basildon's finest, Daryl's touring career extended to a similar role with Hall of Famers, The Cure, where his brother, Perry, had taken a similar path - going from guitar tech to full-time member of the band - and we hear about the fantastic connections between these seminal British acts.

With characteristic warmth and humility, Daryl (or "Daz" as certain rock gods are allowed to call him) reveals how growing up in a post-war new town like Basildon helped create energetic sub-cultures, shaping a crowd of "weirdos" to build and influence genre-defining movements of music and fashion.

Now running his own publishing company, Archangelo Music, and playing in bands Permafrost and Hence, Daryl's business philosophy of fair deals and creative partnerships reflects lessons learned from working with artists who maintained their artistic and operational integrity despite enormous commercial success and pressure. His attitude stands as testament to how genuine relationships and creative freedoms produce enduring legacies.

We recorded this conversation during the Act In Synch Summit at the Impact Hub in Athens, Greece on 31st October, 2024.

Here is the episode. Thank you for listening.
We made it just for you.

More about our guest:

Homepage: www.archangelomusic.com

Other Links:

Basildon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basildon

The Bridge House: http://the-bridge-house.co.uk/pages/about.html

Depeche Mode Storm LA - Wherehouse "near-riot" & news reports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKPtQojA8ws

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How does someone transition from managing hotels and holiday-makers to overseeing major entertainment venues across Europe? Well, quite easily, if you happen to be our high achieving guest, Marie Lindqvist.

Join us as we sit down with Marie, the Senior Vice President of Operations for ASM Global in Europe, to uncover her unique career path. From her early days in the tourism industry to her pivotal role in the post-pandemic resurgence of live events, Marie shares the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way.

Marie’s career is a fascinating journey through different cultures and industries. She opens up about her time at TUI, where she sharpened her leadership skills, and the dynamic shift to AEG, managing the iconic Globe in Stockholm. Discover how Marie balances a demanding career with personal life and the importance of family support. Her story is a powerful testament to the impact of strong leadership and the importance of building a diverse, inclusive team.

Get a behind-the-scenes look into the future of live entertainment, as Marie discusses ASM Global's ambitious redevelopment projects across Europe. Hear about the strategic planning that took place during the pandemic and the strengthened industry networks that emerged from it.

Marie's leadership philosophy underscores the importance of trust, communication, and being a role model, especially for women in leadership positions. Don’t miss her insights on organizing major events and the joy of shaping the future of live entertainment.

We recorded this conversation at the Södra Teatern in Stockholm on 7th August, 2024.

More about our guest:

Stockholm Live
ASM Global

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Your host, Paul Cheetham, is joined by one of the UK's most highly respected booking agents, Rob Challice, Senior Vice-President of the Wasserman Music Group.

Rob has over 40 years of experience in the live music industry as an agent, promoter and festival organiser. Starting in the early 1980s, Rob co-founded a series of music companies one after the other - from FAB to Concert Clinic to CODA - and evolved from gigging, wide-eyed, around the country with anarcho-punk outfits, to overseeing sold out world tours for a roster of artists that includes Beirut, Billy Bragg, Bon Iver, Charlotte Cardin, Christopher, Cory Wong, HAEVN, Kings of Convenience, Novo Amor, Sturgill Simpson, Toro Y Moi and Warpaint.

Our conversation with Rob is like a who's who of the live music industry and takes us on his inspirational and remarkable journey from creating fanzines and promoting shows in London's gritty 80s scene to booking legendary bands like Nirvana and going on to help operate mammoth global enterprises.

We talk about the hiring and firing, the network building, the need for innovation, the challenges and concerns of a post-pandemic world, and the inevitable need for consolidation and change in order to stay alive and competitive.

The episode also highlights the critical role of grassroots music venues in the UK, the efforts to sustain them, and how the pandemic has shifted the dynamics of the music ecosystem.

There's also time to remember colleagues who have sadly been lost - but not forgotten - and the growing need to reflect on his own legacy.

We recorded this episode during the Tallinn Music Week conference on Friday 5th April, 2024.

Thank you for listening. Here is the episode.
We made it just.....for......you!

Links:
Wasserman Music: https://www.teamwass.com/
Paradigm acquires CODA: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/paradigm-acquires-50-stake-in-coda-music-agency-5877120/#!
The Subhumans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhumans_(British_band)
Warchild RideLondon: https://www.warchild.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/find-an-event/ride-london


The SuperSwell intro/outro music: "Music Machine" - TV OFF

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