If you don’t feel like reading the recap from EPS 10, scroll down to the “LIVE TALKS EPS11” section of this post for the Zoom link to our next session, June 21st at 20:00 CEST
We had an absolutely brilliant session for EPS10 on Monday as we welcomed Walter Hoeijmakers of the infamous Roadburn Festival to our live Zoom session.
Walter discussed with us the difficulties in getting responses from the government during the early phases of Covid-19 in 2020 and the heartbreaking decision he had to make to cancel not one, but two years of this beloved festival as it became clear that April of 2021 would also not be possible under the restrictions at that time.
He took us through the struggles he faced with increasing restrictions placed even on filming in an empty venue, with zero audience, for this year’s Roadburn Redux, the online version of the festival which featured a mix of both live streams from the 013 in Tilburg, NL (home of Roadburn Festival) and pre-recorded performances from bands from around the world. With 15 bands recording live at the 013 during Roadburn Redux, if just ONE person had tested positive for the virus, the whole production could have been shut down. This is for a livestream event. Can you imagine the potential struggles we are going to face when things go back to full capacity? Especially when touring internationally… a different country, every day, each with their own set of rules in place that are seemingly ever-changing?
If you have ever been involved in the production of a festival, you know how much work is involved. The crew works tirelessly and everyone needs to be on high alert at all times as there are at least 10 fires that need to be put out at any given time, despite months and months of preparation. Life is unpredictable. Pulling off a live festival is no easy feat. Yet, as Walter explained, this was one of the hardest things he ever had to do. Much harder than the actual live version of the festival with 4500 international guests in attendance.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom in our talk. Roadburn Redux‘s 4 day streaming event was a massive success in the end, and all of the Roadburn Team’s hard work definitely paid off, with over 87,000 viewers worldwide each day. Most surprising, he mentioned, was the amount of viewers for the newer bands on the scene, in some cases, higher viewing numbers than some of the more established acts. There were some theories about why this could be. What are your thoughts?
LIVE TALKS EPS11
(Keep scrolling down if you just need the link)
What a week.
I know I’m far from alone when admitting to you all that some weeks, you just feel completely drained. It’s not one thing in particular, or even a series of events that you can pinpoint as the cause of the lack of motivation. It’s amazing sometimes, how “nothing” can burn you out. I remember the good old days of working 20 hours on average a day and still having more than enough energy to continue doing it for another 6 months and completely thriving on the adrenaline and satisfaction I got from doing what I love. These days, trying to navigate through the ever-changing rules and regulations is a full time job in itself. Only to inevitably, have the event cancelled or realize it is simply not feasible after you’ve added an additional 30 hours minimum per project to try to keep up with the varying governments’ latest decisions in each country.
I’m sick of it.
We’re all sick of it.
I have no less than 72,896 questions on any given day.
Maybe you do, too.
Join us on Monday, June 21st at 20:00 CEST / 19:00 BST / 18:00 UTC / 14:00 EST / 11:00 PST as we host C.R.E.W Coalition’s 11th Live Talks on Zoom and attempt to get some of these questions we’ve all been asking, answered.
We will be joined by Martin Goebbels of Miller Insurance, a leading broker for live music / touring. Martin recently spoke at this year’s ILMC where he joined a panel entitled, “Insurance: The Big Update” to discuss what the next 12 – 24 months will look like for policies and insurance for each role played in live events in the aftermath of Covid 19. He also wrote a must read article entitled 4 Risks That Live Event Organizers Can’t Ignore, which I highly recommend reading before our chat on Monday.
We’ll also be joined by Alison Haragli, who is the Director of Event Operations at the Coca-cola / Dubai Arena – ASM Global (17,000 capacity). Alison hails from Sydney, Australia with 16 years experience in event operations and has worked for Qudos Arena Sydney/AEG Ogden previously. With her unique perspective running events at an arena level in a country that has been extremely strict with vaccination regulations in place (you can’t even go for a cup of coffee without showing proof of vaccination in some establishments), in a location with a high rate of business travelers from abroad for live events and exhibitions, we’ll hear from her on what things are looking like as Dubai begins to open for events and what challenges she is currently facing.
More guest speakers TBC at the time of writing this, so be sure to keep an eye on our socials and subscribe to the blog so you’re always in the know.
Here is the link for the next Live Talks, EPS11. Click “Join Meeting” underneath the countdown clock.
Meeting does not exist: 82726964711.
^^^^^^^^^CLICK JOIN MEETING
As usual…. a few reminders.
This is an open forum and we want to hear from everyone who wants to speak. We LOVE the enthusiasm these bring out in everyone, but let’s be respectful to our fellow C.R.E.W members. Please be sure to mute your mic upon entering the Zoom. Once we’re all in, we’ll go through a very brief introduction of ourselves so we know who is in the room. One minute or less. We’ll kick off the conversation with a current topic and let the conversation flow from there. PLEASE use the little “raise your hand” emoji in the reactions bar located at the bottom of the Zoom screen if you’d like to say something and one of our moderators will call on you. Be sure to utilize the chat as well if you’d like to add something or share information with the rest of the participants.
The Zoom will be filmed and by attending, you agree to appearing in any future C.R.E.W Coalition free promotional based videos / photos shared on our platforms. We encourage participants to keep their camera on so we can see your beautiful faces, however you can always choose to keep your camera off if you prefer. We will always inform you ahead of time if and when we choose to post audio or video.
Finally, we encourage you to subscribe to our blog so you’re always the first person “in the know”.
