Agent Story – Pip

Pip’s love of music makes him think of his role as an agent as more of a lifestyle than a job.

What brought you to Midnight Mango?

Many moons ago, some friends and I used to attend a lot of the shows that Matt used to put on in Bridgwater as a promoter. I have worked in and around the music industry for most of my life and fancied getting back into it after spending some time as a project manager in the IT industry. I started working part time for Midnight Mango as an agent with a single band and when the opportunity for a full time position presented itself I applied, have been here ever since.

What kind of bands do you like to work with?

Genre is not massively important for me as I have very varied musical tastes, but talent, enthusiasm, and entertainment are. A band needs to be seen to be enjoying what they are doing, if they are not enjoying it then how can I!

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

If you love music and don’t mind hard work then definitely do it, think of it as a lifestyle choice rather than a job. A great team with a wealth of experience in the music industry, Midnight Mango can offer the opportunity to work with and meet some amazing and talented people, both musicians and others within the music world. We have worked hard to get Midnight Mango where it is today and are very proud of its reputation within the industry.

Who would you love to have on your roster?

The Heavy, straight and simple, what a sound, what a presence. Oh and of course, Marvin Gaye.

First festival you went to?

This shows how old I am – 1979 Knebworth – headlined by Led Zeppelin, but I remember Chaz and Dave the most, I think I was a bit worse for wear by the time the headliners came on 😊

Best festival you’ve been to?

1984 Monsters of Rock, arguably the best line-up ever including Motley Crue, Accept, Y&T, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Van Halen (with Dave Lee Roth) and AC/DC, managed to hitch a pillion ride on the back of a motorbike to the festival and got a lift back in a transit van – very different times.

For more modern times it is probably Nozstock, a super friendly, relaxed festival set in amazing countryside run by lovely people. Sadly the festival is no more as it is a casualty of the recent financial problems the country is in.

First gig you went to?

First gig I went to off my own steam, and with a known band not just a local one, as far as I can remember, was either Motorhead, or Saxon, at Cambridge Corn Exchange, both were around the same time in 1979.

Best gig you’ve been to (so far)

Has to be Muse at the Eden Project in Cornwall, not many people in attendance and could walk right up to the stage – they were AMAZING.