Music Manager’s Forum Ireland | Training Day – Saturday 11th February

Music Manager’s Forum Ireland

“LIVE MUSIC, INTERNATIONAL TOURING & MERCHANDISING”

Training Day – Saturday 11th February 2012

@ IMRO Offices, Copyright House, Pembroke Row, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 // 11.30am to 5.00pm

GUEST PANELISTS

Stuart Worthington- MMF Training Officer

Tommy Kinsella – Manager of God Is An Astronaut
Started playing music at age of 10 both guitar and violin. Formed my first band in 1961 , formed the ORANGE MACHINE the only recognised psychedelic Progressive band from Ireland in the 60’s . Leader of country and bluegrass band Cotton Mill Boys in the 70’s .Past 10 years guiding and managing top instrumental band GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT.

Noel McHale – MCD
Senior live booking agent festivals and major events, MCD. McHale is one of the key bookers with MCD some of the leading artists he’s brought to Ireland during his seven year tenure including Pavarotti, Queen, The Killers, Snoop Dogg, P Diddy, The Game and Rihanna. Pre-MCD Noel promoted The Bothy Band and The Boomtown Rats in the West, assisted Ollie Jennings getting the Galway Arts Festival off the ground and establishing the Bulmers comedy festival and its UK counterpart festival.

Gary Monroe – Monroe’s Galway
Promoter and Booking agent for Monroes Galway.

Alan Murray – Mazar’s Ireland
Alan Murray is a tax specialist and a chartered certified account with over 15 years experience with a particular emphasis on clients involved in the entertainment sector. Alan is a senior member of the Mazars OJK Entertainment Division and his clients range from global international high profile entertainers to indigenous performers based primarily in the Irish market place. Alan has experience in advising on the tax issues of all elements of entertainment income streams for performing musicians including recording and publishing royalties and live performance income. He also has particular expertise in dealing with HMRC in terms of agreeing UK withholding tax for live performances in the UK. Through his work in this area Alan has developed leading entertainment contacts in both the UK and US and can offer a global service in this sector.

Benny Taaffe – Vantastival (Music Festival)
Benny is one of the main organisers and founders with his partner, Louise Tangney. They have a combined experience of twenty years in the festival industry, having worked at festivals all over Ireland, the UK and the USA, including Oxegen, Electric Picnic, Glastonbury, Reading and the Burning Man festival in Nevada.

John Weston – Backstreet Merchandising
John started working with Backstreet International Merchandise in London in 2003 as well as managing various bands at the time, most notably a period with Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. He set up Backstreet’s Irish operation on 2008 and now works with bands such as The Coronas, Altan, Horslips, Sharon Shannon, Clannad, Afro Celt Sound System, And So I Watch You From Afar to name a few. Backstreet have offices in London, New York & Dublin; www.bsimerch.com catering for bands full merchandise needs from supply, touring and e-commerce. John serves on the board of the Music Managers Forum Ireland and is one of the founding directors having previously been an active member of the MMF UK.

Fees for this event are as follows:

MMF Members – €20
IMRO Members – €32
Non-Members – €70

MMF Ireland training events are sponsored by and run in conjunction with IMRO.