Logistics, Volunteers & Spreadsheets - Q&A 26

The biggest (and best?) Damnation ever is in the books and Gav, James and guest star Paul are here to tell you all about it, from showering during a soundcheck, projecting into fog, unbelievable acts of kindness… and almost choking to death on a Pot Noodle.Oh, and there’s bands.Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

This one is 20 years in the making - Reuben are finally playing 2000 Trees!!! Gav and James go through all 67 Trees bands in this mega announcement. Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

Damnation is so nearly here, we can smell the BEC. Gav is smashing out the last few bits and James is definitely not helping him (he’s actively adding to the workload)So come get hyped for a weekend of face melting metal!!There’s all 18 new ATG bands discussed just to get you excited for next August too. Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

At 44 years old, Gav is handed his first ‘report card’ since high school in the shape of a “Damnation 2026 Performance Review” he didn’t ask for. So how did he fare? Why don’t women and his fellow Scots love his festival? Why are profits down when revenue is up and what can he do about it in 2027?It’s all in the pie charts, graphs and percentages, apparently.Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

The Production Manager, an almost mythical creature found back stage stressing about about “patch” engineers and impossible changeover times. Who are they and why are they so important to the running of our events?Thankfully, Marios of Damnation, Outbreak and Radar fame is in hand to attempt to explain it all, from “recharges” and “dead spots” to risking his life for the game. Pay attention.Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

Ok nerds, you want to hear about the the logistics of booking Mariner and making sure the stage is set for it exactly as planned? The importance of volunteers and why James and the ATG crew hope the army of familiar faces follow them to the new site? And Gav's questionable grasp of spreadsheets and tech to run a £1million festival?Well, today we're here to tell you.Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

It's exactly one month out from Damnation and planning is in full tilt with stage times, merch runs, flyposting campaigns, extra day tickets and a macaroni van all top of the agenda.But who takes control of what? What tweaks have been made to make the weekend even better? And how do you make sure a fresh face wants to return?It's a lot to consider, especially at a time when the 2027 tickets are already on sale. This is your (detailed) path to Damnation...Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

James unveils the first wave of bands for his “absolutely not a metal festival” with headliners Blood Incantation and Neurosis playing alongside Møl, Holy Fawn, Conjurer, Slift, Messa, Employed To Serve and The Ocean… But before the boys get to the ATG ‘27 deathfest, they both have site visits to discuss, more new bands to fall in love with and yes, of course, tennis on the agenda.Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

You might see yourself as a bit of a festival veteran because you’ve  managed an impressive four events this summer but today’s guest calls that tally “July”. Mr Rob Kellas, of TPD TV and View From The Afternoon fame, plugs in a third mic and explains why “just” 19 festivals, across the UK, wider Europe and the States is a quiet year for them.How his insanely popular channel and pod are succeeding in a world where not all promoters recognise their value. And why it’s important never to be bought by a shiny pass and promise of backstage glamour.Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

Just when we thought it was going to be a quiet week, Ed Sheeran sets fire to himself and Slipknot drop a single that the music press love while the rest of the world hate. Gav and James absorb it all alongside rating new music, the rise of rock and metal influencers and a “mad” journalism tale from a past life. Oh, and there’s a horse.Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.