Abigail La Bianca is an Audio Engineer and Production Manager who got her start in live production back in 2017 when she got involved in a program where she learned and did audio for a variety of productions. Abby hit the road for the first time in 2022 working on tour as the Monitor Engineer and PM for Sara Evans. Since then she has gone on to work on various tours for artists such as Phillip Phillips, Lindsey Stirling, Matt Maher, Hailey Whitters, and more. You can follow Abby over on Instagram @abigaillabianca.

Timestamps:

(1:42) - Icebreakers Questions

(06:08) - Abby's start working in live events

(13:56) - Responsibilities of a Front of House and Monitor Engineer

(20:07) - First experience going on tour

(26:50) - Challenges working in live events

(32:02) - Advice for aspiring live event professionals

Justine Randle is an Assistant Tour Manager and VIP Manager who knew from an early age that she wanted to dedicate her time and make a career out of music. She has been involved in the live event industry for many years and got her start by volunteering at festivals. She has gone on to work various roles in live events such as box office, hospitality, and VIP, and in 2022 went out on her first tour for KARD as an Assistant Tour Manager. Since then she has gone on to work various tours for artists such as NCT 127, Mamamoo, Lauryn Hill, and WOODZ to name a few. You can follow and connect with Justine over on Instagram @jujurockstar.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Justine Randle

(01:42) Icebreaker questions

(04:19) Justine's start working in live events

(09:35) Transitioning to touring

(15:24) Prioritizing well-being on the road

(18:20) Responsiblities as an Assistant TM

(26:25) Challenges working in the industry

(35:40) Advice for aspiring live event industry professionals

(39:20) Career highlights working in the industry

(00:00) Introducing Clarissa

(01:41) Icebreaker Questions

(05:04) Clarissa's start working in live events

(09:22) Persevering when experiencing rejections and hardships

(18:09) Transitioning to her current role as a Production Manager

(23:02) Overview of what a Production Manager

(25:06) Overcoming challenges in her career

(32:23) Personal achievements working in the industry

(39:04) Advice for aspiring live event professionals

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Sam Boone

(01:31) Icebreaker Questions

(04:28) An overview of what a Systems Engineer does

(07:54) Sam’s start working in audio

(12:09) Connecting and meeting her mentors

(15:47) First experience on tour

(17:46) Typical day as a touring Systems Engineer

(21:52) Overcoming challenges in her career

(24:47) Sam’s interest working in live events

(30:11) Highlights and milestones in her career

(35:13) Surprising things about the industry

(36:56) Maintaining a work-life balance

(40:32) Advice for aspiring live event professionals

Stacey Morales is a live event professional who got her start in the industry back in 2019 when she began working on street teams and volunteering for concerts. She has gone on to work various roles in the industry as a VIP Assistant, Production Assistant, Tour Manager, and more. Currently, she works as a Tour Marketing Coordinator with Live Nation and has worked on tour marketing campaigns for artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, TWICE, ITZY, and IVE to name a few.

Passionate and dedicated to giving back to the next generation of music industry professionals, Stacey established her own music mentorship program, 1520 Vision. You can follow Stacey over on Instagram @staceymorales. You can also follow and stay updated about 1520 Vision on LinkedIn or Instagram.

(00:00) Introducing Stacey Morales

(01:32) Icebreaker Questions

(04:53) Stacey's start working in live events

(10:55) Role as a tour marketing coordinator

(17:48) 1520 Vision - Establishing a mentorship program

(24:14) Dealing with hardships in the industry

(30:26) Surprising things about the industry

(34:52) Advice for aspiring professionals

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Lotje

(01:59) Icebreaker questions

(11:34) Lotje's start working in live events

(18:17) Work coming to a stop due to pandemic

(21:12) Overview of Backstage Pass - A non-profit aimed at empowering women who are aspiring live event professionals in the Netherlands

(28:13) Uplifting next generation of live event professionals

(31:01) Advice for aspiring live event professionals

Lou Rochdi is a Production Coordinator, Production Manager, and Tour Manager who got her start in the industry when she worked her first Coachella in 2022. A few months later, her first tour opportunity presented itself and she went out on the road as the Production Coordinator for Joji. She has since had the opportunity to work for various other artists under the label 88rising such as Stephanie Poetri, Rich Brian, and Warren Hue, to name a few. Just this year, Lou was nominated for best production coordinator at the Live Production Summit and the Production Futures Breakthrough Talent Awards. Outside of her work in live events, she has also helped establish a non-profit organization known as ⁠Gen Admission⁠ which aids in providing educational content and resources for other aspiring music industry professionals. You can follow her over on ⁠Instagram @lou_rhd⁠. You can also check out her website here: ⁠lourochdi.wixstudio.io/production.

You can access the episode transcript here: https://womenadvancinglive.com/lou-rochdi-transcript/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Lou Rochdi

(02:05) Icebreaker Questions

(08:10) Lou's start working in live events

(16:04) Preparing for her first tour

(22:44) Dealing with anxiety and negative emotions on the road

(27:21) Jump from theater to arena tours

(30:36) Useful skills for her roles

(34:34) Overview of Gen Admission - a resource for aspiring music industry professionals

(38:39) Advice for aspiring live event professionals

Vivienne Huynh is a VIP Tour Representative who has been working in the live event industry for four years. With a big love for music, she got involved in the industry by joining street teams, selling merch, and working as a local assistant. Her hard work and dedication eventually led her to become a VIP Tour Representative for VIP Nation and went out on her first tour in 2023 for SUGA of BTS. She has gone on to work tours for TWICE, Jonas Brothers, and IVE. You can follow and connect with her over on Instagram @viviennehuynh. Also make sure to check out Jaded Productions, a music industry resource which Vivienne works with as the Chief Marketing Officer.

You can access the episode transcript here: https://womenadvancinglive.com/vivienne-huynh-transcript/

Timestamps:

(0:00) Introducing Vivienne Huynh

(1:48) Icebreaker Questions

(3:54) Vivienne's start working in live events

(8:10) An overview of what VIP entails

(10:22) Transitioning to working on tours

(13:20) Coping with homesickness and hard times on the road

(15:12) Surprising things about the industry

(17:54) Realizing that working in live events can be a career

(22:06) Responsibilities as a VIP Tour Rep

(26:01) Advice for aspiring live events professionals - Authentic networking

Maya Dottin is a Tour Manager who got her start in live events back in 2021 when she began working for a local concert promoter in Toronto, Ontario. Her passion and eagerness to grow in the field were evident to those in her network and Maya would soon land opportunities through which she would develop her skills in live events further. She hit the road for the first time in 2023 working as the Production Coordinator for NxWorries’ European and UK run. She has since had the opportunity to work on other tours as a Merch Manager and Tour Manager and has worked with acts such as Cavetown, Röyksopp, MAY-A, Housewife, and Meet Me @ The Altar. You can follow and connect with her over on Instagram @maya_j_main.

You can access the episode transcript here: https://womenadvancinglive.com/maya-dottin-transcripts/

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Maya

(01:32) Icebreaker questions

(04:56) Maya’s start working in live events

(10:55) Adjusting to her first touring role

(14:02) First experience as a tour manager

(16:56) Maya’s interest in tour management

(18:04) Overview of what a tour manager does

(19:39) Dealing with burnout on the road

(22:50) Useful skills for being a tour manager

(25:08) Overcoming challenges

(29:04) Advice for aspiring live event professionals

Based in Manchester, UK, Priti Shikotra has been freelancing as a concert photographer for over five years. During her career so far, she has been commissioned to work with clients such as Kerrang! Magazine, BBC Introducing, Manchester International Festival, and more. She has also had the opportunity to shoot amazing artists including Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Usher to name a few. You can follow her over on Instagram and Twitter @pshikotraphoto. Also, make sure to head over to her website www.pshikotra.com where you can see her portfolio and all the amazing work she's done!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Priti Shikotra

(01:30) Icebreaker Questions

(03:29) Priti's start with concert photography

(07:21) Booking concert photography gigs

(13:27) Things about that industry that were surprising

(14:54) Experiencing imposter syndrome

(18:02) Job versatility with photography

(20:22) Adjusting to motherhood

(23:00) Returning to work post-Covid

(25:38) Relaxation time

(29:09) Advice for aspiring concert photographers

(33:59) Being paid for your work

(37:02) Advertising yourself and your work