Chris Kemp: Promoting Live Music at The Pitz & Ensuring Venue Safety

Early Influences & Musical Journey

• 💡 Chris Kemp's first record was "Amazing Grace," followed by albums like Mott the Hoople's "All the Young Dudes" and Uriah Heep's "Magician's Birthday."
• 🧠 His initial artistic inspiration came from dance classes in college, which he found improved his rugby performance and led to a lifelong love for contemporary dance.
• 🎤 The first live band he saw was Gong, supported by Faust, on the Uriah Heep "Magician's Birthday" tour.

The Legendary Pitz Venue

• 🚀 Chris Kemp transformed a former sports hall in Milton Keynes into The Pitz, a highly influential live music venue that attracted fans from across Europe.
• 🎯 The Pitz became known for hosting diverse acts, including PJ Harvey, Iron Maiden, and Babes in Toyland, often selling out shows, especially for thrash metal bands.
• ⚠️ Running a venue within a council building presented challenges, including staff resistance and the need to balance different music genres to ensure profitability.

Evolution of Music Promotion

• 📈 Early marketing relied on NME, Kerrang, and physical posters on underpasses and village boards, a method that became unsustainable due to council fines.
• 📱 Chris notes that modern promotion is dominated by social media, a significant shift from the physical marketing techniques of the past.
• 🤝 Building strong relationships with bands and agents was crucial for The Pitz's success, establishing it as a vital stepping stone for emerging artists.

Safety and the Modern Live Music Industry

• 🚨 Chris now works as a safety officer for major festivals and arenas, including Roskilde and Champions League finals, emphasizing the critical balance between safety, security, and service.
• 💰 The increasing cost of staging shows and the dominance of large promoters like Live Nation and AEG make it difficult for smaller venues to compete and profit.
• ✅ He advocates for designing safety into venues from the outset and highlights the importance of common sense and excellent service to enhance the audience experience.

Advice for Aspiring Promoters

• 🌱 Chris advises aspiring promoters to take every small opportunity to get involved, whether loading equipment or shadowing industry professionals.
• 💡 Networking and working your way up through various roles in the industry are key to building a successful career in music promotion and management.