2 Promoters, 1 Pod

ArcTanGent & Damnation

ArcTanGent and Damnation organisers, James Scarlett and Gavin McInally, discuss the good, the bad and the downright ridiculous of promoting festivals.

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20 episodes
Updated Thursday
Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first

Thursday · 1 hr 54 min
Hayrock Headaches (with Fred Thirst)
Some might say that you’d need to be crazy to start a festival, but that didn’t stop the team behind Hayrock giving it a go with a special tribute theme bash. “However, things started to unravel quickly as bands pulled out, photographers became stage managers and the “bin bag” stage caught the wind. Thankfully Stiff Bizkit’s Fred Thirst survived the experience to tell the tale… Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
July 23 · 2 hr 1 min
The Trees Debrief
Another magnificent Trees is in the books and for many it was the best yet. But how did things look from behind the scenes, from 500 litres of water to photo booth mishaps. And how do you top it for the big 20th anniversary next year? James is on hand with all the answers. Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
July 16 · 43 min
How to book a headliner (in 5 hours) Live at 2000 Trees
Live from the Saturday of 2000 Trees… James dishes on booking Don Broco to headline (in one day) and Gav comes out as an England supporter… Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
July 9 · 1 hr 13 min
Q&A#23
James is broken in a caravan. He tried his best. Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
July 3 · 1 hr 26 min
The BIG Trees Preview (& ATG move)
It’s almost Trees Time and the boys are getting giddy. James has his clean fridge stocked and reporting live from Upcote Farm about putting the finishing touches to the beautiful site. While Gav is packing the sun cream and tearing through the Trees playlist in anticipation. Before all that though, what’s this about ArcTanGent moving home next year? Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
June 25 · 1 hr 40 min
PRS Explained! (And more Gav antics)
Gareth Kelly from the Music Venue Trust joins us to untangle the mystery of PRS and explain how your favourite bands actually get paid. It'll all make perfect sense... probably. Gav delivers some all-time premium waffle and the excitement for Trees reaches fever pitch. Oh, and how did Gav end up in an American's basement at 4am on a Thursday?? Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
June 18 · 1 hr 20 min
No Scotland, No Party (Gav's World Cup)
Gav checks in from Boston to share stories from Scotland’s World Cup adventure, with the Tartan Army turning the city into a week-long party. From sold-out bars and viral fan moments to Scotland’s chances of progressing, it’s a lively update from the heart of the tournament. Back in the festival world, James talks Trees Festival preparations, 2027 booking progress, the fallout from last week’s PRS discussion, and new music from Cult of Luna. As always, there’s plenty of industry chat, listener questions and the usual festival banter. Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
June 11 · 1 hr 38 min
New music, PRS and cold hard cash
New music, accidentally booking bands onto the podcast, navigating the baffling world of PRS, who actually gets paid when it comes to music venues, and just how much does it cost to truck water into a festival site? James is fully immersed in Trees season, while Gav is busy firing out Damnation announcements, and with the year already at the halfway mark, it's time to see how those Album of the Year contenders are stacking up? Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
June 4 · 1 hr 43 min
Booking The Berzerker & How To Grow a Festival - Q&A #22
Gav and James delve back into the mailbag to discuss venue upgrades, manageable festival growth and their favourite pod moments. But before that, Gav takes the chance to gloat about the extreme metal coup of the year… booking The Berzerker outta nowhere! Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
May 28 · 1 hr 45 min
Tour Tales, Festivals Fails & Angine de Poitrine
Gav hopped on and back off the best tour of the year quicker than you can say “you don’t have a bunk”. But bus dramas aside, the We Lost The Sea, Overhead, The Albatross and Dimscûa package delivered in spades. Meanwhile, housebound James secured some exciting 2027 bookings and updated his favourite albums spreadsheet. Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
May 21 · 1 hr 26 min
The Debut UK Tour with We Lost the Sea
The stacked We Lost The Sea, Overhead, The Albatross and Dimscûa UK tour starts tomorrow. Mr Departure Songs, Mark Owen, joins the pod from Paris to discuss playing Europe before arriving on these shores for their debut UK run. Selling out cities, sacrificing profits for crew, early load ins and bigger production and where they sit in the post rock landscape. Do not miss this tour. Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
May 14 · 1 hr 54 min
The Security Brief
Security. The festival job that should be invisible. And sometimes, they’re completely missing… This week, we finally get to the long-awaited security episode. The people who keep you safe while you’re crowdsurfing, stop you sneaking onto Gav’s balcony, and (ideally) keep the whole festival running without you ever really noticing they’re there — this episode is all about them. Oh, and James’ neighbours drilling? That gets a few mentions too. Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
May 7 · 1 hr 47 min
Grassroots Venues, Headliner Hopes and Being Cancelled… Q&A #21
Gav and James dive back into the mailbag to tackle the topics of the day: the importance of grassroots venues, how their “future” headliner predictions panned out and how cancelled are the cancelled? Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
April 30 · 2 hr 8 min
Gallows to Marshall (with Steph Carter)
From a "scrappy" punk kid to a corporate big wig at Marshall, Steph Carter has had an unusual and contrasting journey in the music business. He joins the pod to discuss the shocking rise and unfortunate demise of his old band before using his experience to help guide one of the most recognisable brands in rock n' roll. Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
April 23 · 1 hr 48 min
Damnation’s Big Six, Kanye & Count Your Blessings…
And. We’re. Back! Sober and as on the ball as you can expect. Gav and James tackle Damnation’s biggest ever announcement and a surprise promise, if People Power pulls through, before getting caught back up on all the drama from the past three weeks. Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
April 16 · 1 hr 41 min
Be Right Back (Thailand Edition)
James is still on the beach and Gav is emotionally on holiday still so it’s Shifty again. Are you ready for this one? From early (surprising) jobs, to first records, this one goes to places 2P1P has never been before…but don’t worry there’s still plenty of festival and music chat. Listener questions, J.D. & rum, whats not to love? Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
April 9 · 1 hr 14 min
Be Right Back (Turkey Edition)
The boys are away so you’re stuck with me (Shifty). This week is a Q&A beer soaked bonanza. Book recommendations, holiday tips, balancing friendship and business plus is it OK for James to move bands around so he can watch them?! This ones the warm up to next weeks riot… Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
April 2 · 2 hr 1 min
Oceansize to Dave Lombardo - Mr Mike Vennart
Oceansize to Empire State Bastard, Biffy Clyro to Cardiacs, there’s one talent who connects them all: Mr Mike Vennart. But what’s it like being Mr Dependable, going from the top slot at Reading Festival to Glasgow’s Cathouse? Being recruited by your favourite band, filling in for James on a week’s notice and taking Dave Lombardo to Aldi. The man has seen and done it all. Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
March 26 · 1 hr 33 min
New Neurosis, Wildhearts Wishes & Ripcord Revelries
This is not a drill! The mighty Neurosis are back and promoters across the globe are excited, but who will nab them first in the UK? There’s also the sad news of Ginger Wildheart’s diagnosis to digest along with his demand to live the rest of his life to the full. And Gav recounts his trip to the first Ripcord Festival in Glasgow for a day of post metal riffs and far too many pints. Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
March 19 · 2 hr 26 min
Being Biffy Clyro’s Tour Manager (with Neil Anderson)
Being a tour manager at any level is an incredibly challenging role, but when the band schedule you’re responsible for includes headline sets at the likes of Leeds, Reading and Download, it takes a special kind of composure and professionalism to pull it off. So the fact that this week’s guest, Neil Anderson, has literally kept the Biffy Clyro show on the road for the best part of two decades is something to be celebrated. This is his “wholesome” tale, told for the first time. Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-sea And your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.