At the forefront of the live music business, sits the agent and agencies. They have a pivotal role in directing and constructing the live architecture of a band career. The very best are simultaneously a business person and a music fanatic with a keen ear for what is happening. The very best form a long term bond with their bands and have a passion for seeing them develop and succeed.
My guest this time on ‘Toby and the Whole Truth’ podcast is one of the truly gifted agents, Steve Strange.
This Northern Irishman grew from humble beginnings to become one of the world’s most acclaimed and sought after agents. His company, X-Ray Touring occupy an enviable position in the market with some of the world greatest most highly regarded acts on their books.
Steve personally looks after EMINEM, Coldplay, Queens of the Stone Age, Saxon, Foreigner and Ash as well as a host of newly emerging breakthrough artists.
A workaholic, Steve is possessed of a doggedly determined attitude that he brings to every ounce of his life, but he is also one of the kindest, most approachable people you will ever meet and all of his acts regard him as a mate. This is his real strength.
Welcome the enigma that is Steve Strange.
Podcast
In my new series of podcasts – TOBY AND THE WHOLE TRUTH – I seek to uncover the reality of what it means to live and work as a successful person in the real music business. I’ve interviewed characters from every sector of this crazy yet obsessively addictive world to try uncover what it really takes to reach beyond the dream, step out of the garage and bedroom to escape the ‘normal’ world and become a success against the odds in the most competitive business there is.