Agent Story:
Nick

Nick first came to Midnight Mango on the other side of things – as a festival booker!

What brought you to Midnight Mango?

My first experience with MM was as a booker for a festival.

I’d booked Neville Staple for a festival which was cancelled due to Covid.  The way that the whole situation was dealt with was exemplary and I started booking more with them after that.

Having worked in the live arts all my life in Marketing, Comms and Programming, when I saw they were looking to take on agents – which incidentally was the result of their brilliant website that any artist could benefit from having a look at – I thought it was a good way to give some excellent acts a hand up in the business.

What kind of bands do you like to work with?

Rather than a particular genre, for me it’s more about the people – and it comes down to the drive and ambition that the band/artist has – particularly if they have a solid and pragmatic work ethic.

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

The training and support that you get is second to none so if you think it’s something that really want to do, at the very least have the conversation because the ‘interview’ process will also tell you everything you want to know about whether it will be right for you.  If you have got the drive though I don’t think you’d find a better support network in any agency as the infrastructure is superb.

Who would you love to have on your roster?

Squeeze

First festival you went to?

I’m not sure if it’s classed as a festival, but Led Zeppelin Knebworth (it was a whole day with loads of different bands, even Chas and Dave, so I’m calling it a festival)

Best festival you’ve been to?

I always love Womad – it’s about the surprise of seeing brilliant musicians I’ve never heard of, and hearing fabulous music from far flung places.

First gig you went to?

Deep Purple at Wembley Arena 1976

Best gig you’ve been to (so far)

Very, very tricky one to answer as it depends, but in various genres I’d go for LA Philharmonic playing Sibelius 2^nd Symphony Hall in Birmingham, The Clash at Brixton Academy, Zeppelin at Knebworth, Genesis on the Seconds Out tour at Earls Court, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at De Montfort Hall in Leicester.

The artist I’ve seen most and who’s always brilliant is David Byrne – whether it’s with a 16 piece Latin band, as a four piece, with contemporary dancers or, most recently, with no backline on stage, on the incredible American Utopia tour.

Having said all that, I’m having loads of internal arguments about many other acts so apologies to all the others!