Alongside cooking up events and content for Futures Forum (FF), the quartet works at IQ Magazine, the leading trade publication for the international live music business.
Both Futures Forum and IQ are the offspring of the International Live Music Conference (ILMC), which will once again host our flagship event on 1 March 2024.
The Futures Forum team boasts a variety of expertise in editorial, sales, data and event management – as well as a smorgasbord of personalities – qualifying us as the Spice Girls of the conference and networking world…
Lisa Henderson
She/her
29 (Virgo)
FF Agenda; Deputy News Editor, IQ
What big topics are you hoping to tackle with the Futures Forum 2024 agenda?
Accessibility is an issue that is being brought to the fore again and again by live music industry professionals (see Alex Ampofo’s comment piece in the most recent newsletter) and we’re keen to use Futures Forum to build on this momentum. Last year, we formed an excellent partnership with live events accessibility charity Attitude is Everything to ensure Disabled executives had a place on the agenda and in our delegation. That’s something we want to build on with Futures Forum 2024. And, as always, we’ll be taking notes from our yet-to-be-formed committee on what they feel should be up for discussion. But just like last year’s edition – the first I headed up – you can be sure we’ll be putting diversity, equity and inclusion at the forefront of everything we do.
Which three acts would you choose to headline the festival of your dreams?
Easy. Taylor Swift, Paramore and Muna. Girl power.
Ben Delger
He/him
30 (Pisces)
FF Operations; Head of Digital, ILMC & IQ Magazine
You’ve worked on every Futures Forum since it launched in 2019, what’s new this year?
We’re excited to expand Futures Forum from a single standalone event for young live music executives into a year-round platform focussed on supporting our peers in creating and building professional relationships, exchanging ideas and staying connected throughout the year.
The transformation of Futures Forum into a year-round platform for young live music executives means more community engagement, additional events and conversations throughout the year. We’re looking forward to launching our monthly newsletter featuring news & updates from other professionals within the Futures Forum network, profiles on and interviews with executives doing exciting work, and lots more meaningful content.
On top of that, holding additional events at different points throughout the year, such as networking parties, socials and focused panel discussions gives a great opportunity to stay connected and network with other young professionals, as well as discuss some of the biggest topics affecting young people within the live music industry. Let’s get started!
Your favourite artists, Four Tet, Fred again.. and Skrillex, are performing separate concerts in London on the same night. Who are you going to see and why?
What a nightmare! But it has to be Four Tet. His set at Love Saves The Day this year was amazing. As long as he mixes in As It Was and Padam Padam again… ?
Hanna Ellington
She/her
24 (Aries)
FF Coordinator; Digital Content Executive, ILMC & IQ Magazine
What have you got in store for the Futures Forum launch party?
We’re excited to bring our delegates back together at such an iconic venue in London’s music scene, Oslo in Hackney. We felt it was the perfect space to launch Futures Forum and our corresponding community platform as it has hosted a wide variety of musicians, is accessible to our delegates, and boasts a great drink menu (I’ll definitely be trying one of the CBD drinks).
Though our team is London-based, we want to encourage participation in our digital community outside of our primary event, which will take place on 1 March 2024. You can find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and in your inbox; our greater platform is focused on bringing together the people who’ll be the next generation of live music leaders.
What is your dream artist collaboration?
I once listened to a podcast from The Face Magazine with Stevie Nicks and Matty Healy in conversation. They spoke about mutual respect and admiration, and Stevie told this story of how she used to listen to The 1975’s first two albums in her dressing room pre-show. Seeing Stevie and Matty (plus their bands, obviously) perform anything from either individual’s repertoire would be an unmatched experience of two of my most listened-to artists. Buckingham Nicks, more like Buckingham Healy…
Tom Brint
He/him
29 (Leo)
FF Sponsorship and Partnerships; Media Sales Executive, IQ Magazine
What can you tell us about the sponsors and partners for Futures Forum?
We’re thrilled to be partnering with AXS, a leader in the ticketing industry. We’re in the process of finalising the next two partners and welcoming them on-board. Watch this space. It’s fantastic to have leading industry partners supporting the next generation of live! We’re also looking for a charity partner that is close to our hearts and aligns with our diversity, ethics, and inclusion policy.
What was your best festival experience in 2023?
The last Reading Festival was certainly a highlight, and was of course made even better by attending with my good pal, Lisa Henderson. As you can see from the picture above, the day started off incredibly wet and rainy, and I was soaked! Didn’t last long though, and the Saturday is a great way to see industry friends, as well as listen to some cool music.
Other than that, I’ve been to a ton of worldwide industry festivals who support emerging artists, and I can’t forget seeing Big Thief at Green Man Festival in 2019 (also in the rain).
