Agent Story – Ethan

Ethan worked with Midnight Mango as an artist back when it was a promotions company. Since then he has grown from agent assistant all the way to director!

What brought you to Midnight Mango?

When I was growing up Midnight Mango was at that time a promoter rather than an agent. I was playing in bands and wanted to play at the shows MM was promoting in my hometown, and naturally became friends with Matt from there. A few years passed where I left home, went to university before returning home for a spell when I’d finished.

I’d been booking tours for my own band, for friends bands, as well as promoting shows in Bristol up until this point whilst living away. I saw Matt advertising on his socials for an agent assistant and it sounded interesting and hopefully a natural fit. I wrote to him to say I was keen to chat, and I soon joined the company as an assistant for Pip Martin at the Agency. After about a year or so I started to develop my own roster, and a few years after this I joined the board of directors. It’s been a great company to grow my career in.

What kind of bands do you like to work with?

I love to work with driven bands who are ambitious and have a clear direction for their short-, medium- and long-term goals. Ideally there is a team forming around the band already, though if I can see the vision and believe in where the band are headed, I am excited to step into the team. Genre wise, I started my roster in folk and roots genres though in the past couple years have been working to diversify that as my network continues to grow. It’s exciting to work on projects that grow upwards, from 100 cap rooms all the way to festival top spots.  

 What advice would you give someone considering joining the Midnight Mango team?

Midnight Mango’s remote working is a new approach to a booking career. It’s a friendly place to work and grow with a great support network of agents to share ideas with. There is lots of a flexibility and autonomy over your roster, balance around all life throws, with a great energy for those keen to get stuck in.

Who would you love to have on your roster?

I think it’s too hard to pin down my dream bands to work with – my favourite band again (at the mo) is The Gaslight Anthem, but I’m not sure if that’s too close to heart. I’m fortunate and proud to be in an exciting spot with the artists I represent – v grateful for their trust and can’t wait to continue helping to build their live careers.

First festival you went to?

 Glastonbury festival – grew up so near it had to be!

Best festival you’ve been to?

 It’s probably Glastonbury too to be honest – hard to compete with the scale of that. That said, I have a long love with 2000 Trees.

First gig you went to?

 It was a local show that I imagine Midnight Mango was the promoter. Friends ska band, with a punk rock headliner. Mosh pits and hangs, I think I was probably in my early teens.

Best gig you’ve been to (so far)

I was incredibly lucky to see Frightened Rabbit a few times in the year before Scott passed. One of the best bands to be!

It’s too hard to pin to one show!