When Sh*t Goes Wrong At Events

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, we sit down with Beverley Whitrick, COO at Music Venue Trust, to explore the realities of running live music events and keeping grassroots venues alive. From her first steps into events to local authority run-ins and transport chaos, Beverley shares both the challenges and the rewards of working behind the scenes in the live music world. Topics covered in this episode:Local authority horror stories: Including the time she was reprimanded for stopping a mayor driving through a crowd.When agreements go wrong: Bars, venues, and security all having different interpretations on the day.The importance of team: Why trust and shared values matter more than anything.Deliverable vs perfect: Knowing when ‘good enough’ is actually the best choice.Control vs chaos: Why trains and transport can sabotage even the best-laid plans.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Beverley Whitrick, COO of Music Venue Trust.

In this conversation, Freddie speaks to Joe Worley about his experiences running Westival, a Welsh boutique music festival based in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Joe has worked tirelessly to create an inclusive, intimate festival that combines world-class music with a really great energy. It doesn't get harder than running a camping festival in the middle of nowhere, in terms of marketing, operations etc. it's tough! Tune in to hear more about how Joe has overcome many hurdles to make Westival into such a success, with genre-blending line-ups that nourish emerging artists whilst also hosting bigger live acts and DJs.

Today Zebu Live, the biggest Web3 Conference in London is being run by Harry and the Flight 3 team. Harry and Freddie started a festival in Exeter - and have been friends since. Listen to Harry's insights and learnings from his experience running events in this, our first episode of When Sh*t Goes Wrong At Events!

Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Duncan King, Head of Partnerships at Skiddle, whose career spans DJing, promoting, artist management, and working at the heart of the UK ticketing industry. From the EDM boom of the mid-2000s to today’s challenging market for promoters, Duncan shares a candid look at how the industry has evolved - and what it takes to survive in it.They explore the realities of life on tour, the pressures facing artists and promoters, and why attention to detail (from backstage care to financial planning) can make or break an event. The conversation also tackles mental health in the industry, the shift toward professionalisation, and why collaboration and diversification are becoming essential for long-term success.Topics covered:Duncan’s journey from teenage DJ to industry leader at SkiddleThe role of artist managers and life behind major toursWhy artist riders and backstage care matter more than you thinkMental health challenges for artists and independent promotersThe evolution from cash-at-door events to online ticketingCurrent market pressures and the need to diversifyTrust, relationships, and building sustainable careers in eventsConnect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest Duncan King, Head of Partnerships at Skiddle.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com.

Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Joe Heap, Towersey and Found festival organiser and university lecturer, whose family has been running festivals for generations. From the emotional farewell to the 60-year-old Towersey Festival to launching a new event and navigating burnout, Joe shares the highs, lows, and chaos of live event management.They discuss real-world challenges including travellers trashing a festival site weeks before build, floods, financial hits, and the evolving post-COVID event landscape.Topics covered:Growing up in a festival family and the legacy of Towersey FestivalLaunching a new festival focused on the audience experienceSurviving chaos on site - from rogue travellers to extreme weatherBurnout, stress, and the dangers of wearing exhaustion as a “badge of honour”Building strong teams and recognising your own limitsFinancial pressures and the importance of proper insuranceSoft skills as essential tools for future event organisersConnect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest Joe Heap, festival organiser and lecturer.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com.

Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Nick Steiert, events entrepreneur and founder behind student travel brand Invasion Events and Wellnergy festival. From running university events to choosing startups over a legal career, Nick shares the realities of building, and rebuilding, an events business under pressure.They discuss rapid growth, tough financial moments, surviving COVID as a travel events company, and launching into the fast-growing wellness festival space, along with lessons in resilience, sponsorship, and planning for the worst.Topics covered:Choosing events over a corporate law careerBuilding a student travel and nightlife events brandCOVID’s impact on travel events and refund pressuresRaising emergency funds to keep the business aliveLaunching a wellness festival and the growth of the sectorWhy founders shouldn’t be too ambitious too earlyReal world event mishaps and unexpected setbacksConnect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest Nick Steiert, Founder of Wellnergy and Invasion Events.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com.

Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Chris Carter, Founder and CEO of Eventwise, to unpack the financial realities of running live events. From promoting student club nights in Bristol to working across the festival supply chain, Chris shares how he found his way into accountancy, and why understanding the numbers can make or break an event.The conversation covers everything from overinflated artist fees and rising costs, to the importance of solid budget sheets and cashflow management. Chris also shares some unforgettable stories from the field, including managing festival finances in Mexico under intense pressure, and what resilience really looks like when events aren’t going to plan.Topics covered:How Chris went from promoting club nights to leading an events finance businessWhy budget sheets are essential for every eventThe reality behind artist fees and marketing spendManaging cashflow at festivals (including a high pressure situation in Mexico)Why many independent promoters haven’t survived, and advice for those trying toBuilding an events brand that lasts, and the role of resilienceConnect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest Chris Carter, Founder & CEO of Eventwise.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email info@ventoinsurance.com.

Welcome to Series 3 of When Shit Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, Freddie Sparrow chats with John Rostron, CEO of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), about a career shaped by a love of music, early chaos, and lessons learned the hard way. From losing money on first events to championing grassroots venues, John shares what it really takes to make live music thrive.Topics covered:How a love of music and organising led John into promoting.Why “never trust a promoter who’s never lost money” matters.Why local venues and knowledge are essential - and how co-promoting can work.Power outages, artists walking off stage, and handling live emergencies.Connect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest John Rostron, CEO of the AIF.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email info@ventoinsurance.com.

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, we speak with Craig Mathie, Managing Director of Project 30, about what it was really like to run a festival company through and after the pandemic. Endless cancellations, what it was like launching a business in the wash-out summer of 2023, and why resilience and the right skillset matter more than anything when sh*t goes wrong.Topics covered in this episode:Running a festival business during Covid: Cancelling, rescheduling, and surviving the unknown.Craig's biggest festival ever: Pulled off in just 42 days after restrictions ended.Launching in a wet summer: The highs, lows, and mud-soaked realities of 2023.Why skillsets matter more than knowledge: Lessons for anyone starting out in events.Tents, beds, and windy nights at Formula 1: How small oversights become big problems at Silverstone.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Craig Mathie, Managing Director of Project 30 Events Management.

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.This episode we sit down with Olly, Director of Acumen Safety, to talk about all things event safety, training, and crisis management in the live events industry. With years of experience helping organisers prepare for the unexpected, Olly shares insights on how to keep both teams and audiences safe when sh*t really does hit the fan.Topics covered in this episode:Fire in the Park Festival cancellation: The difficult decision to call off day two after extreme weather, a serious incident, and the long-term impact on the venue.Training and upskilling event professionals: Why continuous learning is key to building resilient, safety-focused teams.NEBOSH and Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs): What they are, and why they matter for event organisers.Posting on LinkedIn daily: How to track success, and why visibility helps push safety conversations forward.Fires at events and lessons learned: Plus the reality of working through the pandemic and its aftermath.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Olly Galvin, Director of Acumen Safety.

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Eakins, CEO of Production Futures, to talk about how Production Futures began, the challenges of launching new events, and what it really takes to help people of all ages break into production roles. Hannah shares the highs, lows and shit going wrong with the Production Futures Awards. From “blagging it” in 2022, to everything going wrong in 2024, and her determination to make 2025 the best yet. Topics covered in this episode:How Production Futures started: And why it’s all about opening doors into production careers.Blagging it, mistakes, and lessons learned: The reality behind the Production Futures Awards.Why new events are so difficult: And what it takes to get them right.Quality over quantity: Why smaller events can sometimes deliver more impact.Dealing with strikes, oversubscription, and unpredictability: The chaos of real-world event organising.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento. And you can connect with our fabulous guest Hannah Eakins, CEO of Production Futures.

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, we sit down with Jack Saward, Founder of Saward Marketing & Events. He's a seasoned event manager, with decades of experiences, and with stories that define the phrase “the show must go on.” From battling the Icelandic dust cloud at Bauma Germany - a colossal construction and industrial trade show - to physically gaffer-taping his own knee to stay on site, Jack’s tales are equal parts unbelievable and inspiring.This conversation is a masterclass in improvisation, resourcefulness, and refusing to give up when everything’s going wrong.Topics covered in this episode:Improvisation at its finest: From makeshift water-siphons to DIY fixes on site.Last-minute miracles: Securing cabins and resources through quick thinking and great contacts.The mindset that keeps you going: When quitting simply isn’t an option.Bauma Germany & the Icelandic dust cloud: How one ash cloud threw international logistics into total chaos.Working through injury: How Jack kept going with a gaffer-taped knee.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Jack Saward, Founder of Saward Marketing and Events.

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.This week’s guest is Cat Kevern, Director of B2B Events Marketing Agency Electric Cat as well as NOWIE - Network of Women in Events. She shares one unforgettable story from early in her career, all about a time working in accommodation management for a ski event in France. What started as a dream role turned into a nightmare when a massive accommodation fiasco left hundreds of attendees without places to stay, and ultimately resulted in Cat being fired (bit harsh if you ask us!) 🫠In this brutally honest conversation, Cat breaks down what went wrong, what it felt like in the middle of the chaos, and what she learned about crisis management, communication, and the realities of working in events when everything goes off the rails.Topics covered:The ski accommodation fiasco: How one mistake spiralled into hundreds stranded with nowhere to go.The fallout: What happens when you’re fired in the middle of an event disaster.Lessons learned: What the experience taught Cat about planning, resilience, how she wants to lead and surviving in the events industry.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Cat Kevern, Director of both Electric Cat and NOWIE.

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode we sit down with Dean Rodgers, Creative Director of Secret Cinema. Dean shares the madness of building immersive worlds before it was mainstream. Along the way, he explains why the unpredictability of live events is so addictive, what it takes to keep audiences safe while creating adrenaline-fuelled experiences, and why collective awe is what keeps people coming back.Topics covered in this episode:Immersive experiences before they were huge: What it was like to break ground with no safety net.When things go really wrong: 3 tonnes of sand on the third floor, and no way to get it out.The thin line between edgy and illegal: And why safety always comes first.Creating collective awe: The true magic that live events can deliver.Why AI might push more people toward live events: The future of real-world experiences.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Dean Rodgers, Creative Director of Secret Cinema.

This week we’re joined by Justin, Founder of The Bug Club - the sustainable VW DJ Van suppliers, but naturally as an event supplier - he's seen some things.From a dramatic power cut at Wembley Fanzone in front of thousands of football fans, to an insurance nightmare (should have insured with Vento!) caused by an incorrectly ticked box that led to tens of thousands in losses, and a cursed van that just wouldn’t quit. Justin has seen it all.He also takes us back to his early days as a DJ, including gruelling tours in Australia, torn knees strapped up with gaffer tape, and even a tornado shutting down a stage mid-set. Topics covered in this episode:Wembley Fanzone blackout: Handling a power surge in front of thousands of football fans.Insurance gone wrong: How a single tick-box error led to major financial loss and a cursed vehicle saga.50,000 angry farmers: When bar coolers failed and patience ran dry.Life on tour: DJ schedules, exhaustion, and the day a tornado shut down the decks.Lessons learned: Resilience, improvisation, and the importance of the right partners.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Justin Rushmore, Founder of The Bug Club DJ Vans.

Picture this: 3,000 people, no security guards, no medical team, and bus drivers who are asleep. Then add some angry police officers and a frustrated council into the mix. What could possibly go wrong?! In the latest episode of 𝑾𝑯𝑬𝑵 𝑺𝑯*𝑻 𝑮𝑶𝑬𝑺 𝑾𝑹𝑶𝑵𝑮 𝑨𝑻 𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑺 (out now!), Toby Mullins, CEO of Curate Group UK, shares his journey from his slightly chaotic early days in events to now successfully running a 10,000-person music festival, 6 student nights a week, candlelit concerts across the country, and corporate events for some of the worlds biggest brands (including Nike, Adidas and Under Armour).

In this conversation, Freddie takes a deep dive into the life of a fellow co-founder in the events industry. The Marble Group focusses on strategy, marketing, experience and creative to B2B brands and agencies and Emi has been instrumental in it's growth and success over the years, but that hasn't come easy! Hear Emi talk about the highs and lows of event organising in her time at The Marble Group.

In this episode, Freddie talks through the highs and lows of event promoting with friend and fellow Music Promoter, Fred Letts. From balancing family life, to the nitty gritty behind the scenes of festivals and music shows, this episode is eye opening and a really down to earth conversation about the reality of the job.

Described by Vogue as "unquestionably one of the most glamorous places to stay in the UK", Camp Kerala (and it's story) really is astonishing. In the latest episode of the podcast "WHEN SH*T GOES WRONG AT EVENTS", Freddie had the pleasure of speaking with the Jen Oldland, it's inspirational founder. As you will find out, the journey has not been all glitz!! She was a criminal barrister (yes that means defending criminals) aged only 21 and later if life bought a house in Somerset (for the quiet life) without realising it was on the doorstep of the world's most famous music festival. Jen really does personify the idea of life not turning out how you expect it to. Things chatted about: ▶ Criminal barrister to glamping pioneer (how on earth does that happen) ▶ The importance of family and team in building her brand (i.e. the idea of hosting / guests) ▶ Big problems (weather, Covid, managing people) and how she has reacted

GALA Festival now welcomes 35,000+ people over 3 days in Peckham and is one of London's biggest and most successful music festivals. But it did not start like that! In this episode, one of its founders Jonny Edwards really opens up about: - building a music festival with the stature of GALA - the highs and lows of music festival promoting - the lowest moment of his career (year 1 GALA); it was very low! - the emotional toll of the pandemic