Live Music News: GigSalad, Lightroom, new boards @ MVT, LIVE
In the latest live music news, GigSalad, the online booking platform for event talent, has paid out more than $31.8M to performers in the last 18 months. GigSalad connects private and corporate events with musicians, speakers, performers and bartenders.
In addition to providing opportunities income for musicians and other performers, GigSalad ensures talent buyers protection with a Worry-Free Guarantee.
“We created a platform where talented event service providers and performers can find a home for their business, where they feel comfortable. Our payout numbers demonstrate how responsive event planners have been to their offerings,” says Mark Steiner, co-founder and CEO of GigSalad. “Now we’ve set our sights on making the booking process even smoother and more appealing with a new design approach and more streamlined interface.”
More Live Music News
• Reservoir Media has invested in London-based Lightroom, which creates IP-led immersive entertainment experiences. As part of its investment, Reservoir will provide IP from its extensive holdings for Lightroom’s immersive experiences.
Lightroom has created live experiences for Billie Eilish “Hit Me Hard and Soft” album launch, “A Film for the Future,” the companion film for Coldplay’s album Moon Music and others.
• The Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents over 800 UK grassroots music venues (GMVs) has named four new members to its Board of Trustees.
New MVT’s Board Trustees
- Adrian Norman – Founder and CEO of Ocean Music who joined MVT as Treasurer in 2024.
- Helen McGee – Head of Venues, Ghostwriter Consultancy & Events with a track record in managing events and venues, including over 22 years with Academy Music Group.
- Richard Perry – recently retired as a partner in an international law firm.
- Sammy Andrews – CEO & Founder, Deviate Digital
They join existing trustees Bonita McKinney, Phyllis Belezos, Scott Taylforth, Chris Prosser, Simon Hilton, Sarah Thirtle, Jason Dormon, and Jeremy Pritchard.
LIVE (Live Music Industry Venues & Entertainment), which represents 15 UK live music industry organisations, announcing eight new trustee appointments to an expanded board.
The new appointees join three founding trustees: James Ainscough from the Royal Albert Hall, Steve Lamacq of BBC 6 Music and current LIVE Chair, and Kirsty McShannon, founder & CEO of Azorra.
The eight new LIVE trustees are:
- Adem Holness, Head of Music at SXSW London
- David Jones, ex-founding director of Serious & co-founder, EFG London Jazz Festival
- David Laing, ex-Head of Arts, Music and Cultural Venues, Glasgow Life
- Estelle Wilkinson, artist manager
- John Cornwell, promoter and a director at SJM Concerts
- Simon Rix, performing artist with Kaiser Chiefs
- Victoria Smith, Finance Director and Shareholder at Ghostwriter Consultancy & Events
- Wendy Smith, Creative Director at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and performing artist
In addition, Kirsty McShannon was elected Chair of Trustees at the board’s first in-person meeting, which took place at The Royal Albert Hall this week.
Bruce Houghton
