Ben joined MM through the agent pathway programme after having a baby and realising he had been working as a solo agent this whole time!
Ben, what brought you to Midnight Mango?
I’ve been booking my own shows as a solo artist for over ten years. I decided to pause touring for a short period while I had a baby. I was looking around for work in the industry and decided that being a booking agent made the most sense because that’s what I’d been doing without realising it. I approached MM and Matt very kindly made a position for me in the company through the Agent Pathway Programme.
What kind of bands do you like to work with?
Punk, folk, Americana is my thing. I enjoy artists that blend those together.
What advice would you give someone considering joining the Midnight Mango team?
It’s a great feeling when you contract a show but be prepared for a lot of back and forth with artists and promoters. And be patient learning the systems…there’s a lot to get through but it gets easier. It’s like anything, the more you do something the more familiar it becomes.
Who would you love to have on your roster?
Artists like Brian Fallon and Frank Turner who have come through the punk scene and are now great folk writers. I’d also like to take on some more female country artists.
First festival you went to?
Reading Festival the day we got our GCSE results. Back then there wasn’t as much regulation which wasn’t necessarily a good thing but for us it was great. We spent more time causing chaos in the fields than we did watching any music.
Best festival you’ve been to?
I’d honestly say that first festival. I’ve been back to Reading many times but there was something so special about that first one. It was the first time for all of us going to a major festival.
First gig you went to?
Limp Bizkit at Wembley arena when I was 11. It wasn’t just my first gig, but I was allowed to go to on my own with a friend. We’d never seen a mosh pit before. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time. Now I’m a Dad, I’m not sure I’d let my 11 year old go to something like that on his own…
Best gig you’ve been to (so far)
Gaslight Anthem at Brixton Academy. Their breakthrough album had just come out and I’ve never seen a band more happy on stage. It made me want to start playing shows so I could get the same feeling. The first time I saw Blink 182 at Wembley arena when I was 15 also has to be mentioned. Oasis and Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium are up there too. I know that’s more than one but it’s hard to choose!
