Feature_LGBTIQ+ LIST 2021
STEVEN BRAINES
Pronouns: him/he/his Co-founder, HE.SHE.THEY. Based: London, UK brainzo@theweirdandthewonderful. com Linkedin.com/in/stevenbraines/ Tell us about a personal triumph in your career. In terms of HE.SHE.THEY., being the first events brand to ever be taken on by William Morris this month is insane. Last year, nearly 2 million people tuned into our Global Pride Stream with Beatport, and in 2022 we’ll hopefully be diversifying dance floors in 20-30 countries. We’re talking to buyers from China to Brazil and we’re still 100% independently owned by Sophia Kearney and I, which feels like a result in itself. What advice could you give for young queer professionals? One of the ways I had to act was that I wanted to be the best manager and best promoter, not just the best queer one. It’s a different mindset and one that gets me over the imposter syndrome, most of the time, and away from glass ceilings. If you treat a difference as a USP rather than a weakness you will go further as others will view the difference in that way too. Tell us about a professional challenge you often come across as a queer person in the industry. I literally had people tell me to be “less gay” or to “tone it down because the client is a man’s man.” So, all kinds of nonsense. I don’t pander to bigots; they simply do not get to work with me or my clients and, to be honest, you can be successful and bypass them. Our clients work in 40+ countries, selling out shows and winning awards, so we’re living proof. What one thing could the industry do to be more inclusive? People should celebrate difference rather than thinking of anything that deviates from cis, straight, white and male as some kind of problem to be overcome or feared. Our line-ups with HE.SHE.THEY. are inclusive and intersectionally diverse. It’s really easy because talent and ability is spread diversely, too, and if you book based on talent, diverse line-ups naturally occur. A cause you support. The closest to my heart is A Doll Like Me who make dolls of kids with limb differences and other differences so that they can play with a doll that looks like them and they don’t feel othered. Click here for A Doll Like Me’s Gofundme page. How could the industry build back better, post-pandemic? The reason more cis, straight, white men play festivals and get signed to record labels is very much related to the fact that the majority of A&R’s, agents and programmers are also cis, straight, white and male. The gatekeepers need to be more diverse to allow talent supported to become more diverse, and, in turn, the audience would broaden too. We found that first-hand with our HE.SHE.THEY. events and label releases.
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SEAN HILL
Pronouns: him/he/his Director of tour marketing, UTA Based: London, UK Uk.linkedin.com/in/hillsean Tell us about a personal triumph in your career. Managing and leading the promotional strategy for the Swedish House Mafia reunion in 2013 was an incredible moment in my career. It was a combination of ground-breaking experiential marketing, creative partnerships, visual artistry and a jaw-dropping live headline performance. What advice could you give for young queer professionals? Persevere and never give up. I have had many rejections on my journey but you can’t lose focus of what it is you want to achieve. I believe anyone can accomplish anything they want if they are determined. Tell us about a professional challenge you often come across as a queer person in the industry. For me, it’s just the simple ignorant comments or stereotypes. “That’s so gay” or “I’m surprised you’re into that.” I think those remarks stem from insensitivity, ignorance or a lack of personal experience with the LGBTQIA+ community. What one thing could the industry do to be more inclusive? Give more people a chance and widen the recruitment pool. Look in new places. A cause you support. AKT, a charity for LGBTQIA+ youth who are homeless or living in a hostile environment. What does the near future of the industry look like? More women and individuals from under-represented communities in powerful roles. How could the industry build back better, post-pandemic? Innovation! Let’s not go back to our old ways. It’s time to shake things up. I feel the pandemic has taught us a lot and we need to learn from that. I love that we are now using digital and mobile to improve the customer experience at events. People of all ages are coming online to purchase mobile tickets, which reduces the impact on the environment, decreases queuing times and makes everything available to you at the click of a button… even a drink during the interval at your favourite show!
