When Sh*t Goes Wrong At Events

Hosted by Freddie Sparrow

Business CareersInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

Freddie Sparrow interviews the great and the good from the events world about their experiences, and learnings.

Listen to episodes

23 recent

May 13, 202658 min

Ep. 24 - Neil Bainbridge, Founder of Neighbourhood and Director of Shindig

This week Freddie Sparrow sits down with Neil Bainbridge — the founder of Neighbourhood and the driving force behind Newcastle clubbing institution Shindig Events — for one of the most candid conversations we've had on the show.Neil doesn't hold back. A flooded city centre site that nearly wiped out the business. A warehouse roof that peeled clean off the night of an event. And a property owner who nearly pulled the plug on a major brand activation the night before it was due to happen.What comes through in all of it is a simple principle: be honest with your crowd, be straight with your suppliers, and build a network you can actually call on when things go sideways.If you work in events, at any level, this one's worth your time.🎧 Listen now via the link in the comments.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance — specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com

April 22, 202649 min

Ep. 23 - Nick Morgan, Founder and CEO of WeGroup

A brand-new episode of WHEN SH*T GOES WRONG AT EVENTS is live, and this week Freddie Sparrow is joined by Nick Morgan, Founder and CEO of WeGroup, the UK’s largest independent festival producer.From losing huge sums as a promoter to building one of the UK’s best-known independent event operations businesses, Nick shares an honest account of how failure, resilience, and experience shaped his journey.The conversation covers everything from financial risk and crisis management to team building, event safety, and why independent festivals matter so much. Nick also makes a strong case for better protection of the independent festival ecosystem, arguing that without real support, the wider cultural and economic value of live events is at risk. Honest, sharp, and full of behind-the-scenes insight, this is a must-listen for anyone working in events.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance — specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com#EventsIndustry #Ticketing #LiveMusic #EventProfessionals #Podcast

March 25, 202645 min

Ep. 22 - Live at AIF Festival Congress - Millie Devereux and Jamie Tagg

Episode 22 - Live at AIF Festival Congress with Millie Devereux and Jamie Tagg.Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Millie Devereux from We Group and Jamie Tagg from Mighty Hoopla, live at the AIF Festival Congress and in front of an audience, for the very first time! The three compare notes on all things events, the good the bad and the ugly, and from both sides - Millie is in production, and Jamie is a promoter, and Freddie, well he’s an insurance broker now (although he’s still an event organiser at heart), so it’s a nice, balanced view.Together they talk through the 4 T’s - toilets, traffic, talent and tickets - as well as some entertaining moments in their lives behind the scenes of events, and career highlights!This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com.

March 11, 202653 min

Ep. 21 - Duncan King (Skiddle)

Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Duncan King, Head of Partnerships at Skiddle, whose career spans DJing, promoting, artist management, and working at the heart of the UK ticketing industry. From the EDM boom of the mid-2000s to today’s challenging market for promoters, Duncan shares a candid look at how the industry has evolved - and what it takes to survive in it.They explore the realities of life on tour, the pressures facing artists and promoters, and why attention to detail (from backstage care to financial planning) can make or break an event. The conversation also tackles mental health in the industry, the shift toward professionalisation, and why collaboration and diversification are becoming essential for long-term success.Topics covered:Duncan’s journey from teenage DJ to industry leader at SkiddleThe role of artist managers and life behind major toursWhy artist riders and backstage care matter more than you thinkMental health challenges for artists and independent promotersThe evolution from cash-at-door events to online ticketingCurrent market pressures and the need to diversifyTrust, relationships, and building sustainable careers in eventsConnect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest Duncan King, Head of Partnerships at Skiddle.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com.

February 25, 202648 min

Ep. 20 - Joe Heap (Towersey and Found Festival)

Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Joe Heap, Towersey and Found festival organiser and university lecturer, whose family has been running festivals for generations. From the emotional farewell to the 60-year-old Towersey Festival to launching a new event and navigating burnout, Joe shares the highs, lows, and chaos of live event management.They discuss real-world challenges including travellers trashing a festival site weeks before build, floods, financial hits, and the evolving post-COVID event landscape.Topics covered:Growing up in a festival family and the legacy of Towersey FestivalLaunching a new festival focused on the audience experienceSurviving chaos on site - from rogue travellers to extreme weatherBurnout, stress, and the dangers of wearing exhaustion as a “badge of honour”Building strong teams and recognising your own limitsFinancial pressures and the importance of proper insuranceSoft skills as essential tools for future event organisersConnect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest Joe Heap, festival organiser and lecturer.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com.

February 18, 202644 min

Ep. 19 – Nick Steiert (Wellnergy Festival)

Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Nick Steiert, events entrepreneur and founder behind student travel brand Invasion Events and Wellnergy festival. From running university events to choosing startups over a legal career, Nick shares the realities of building, and rebuilding, an events business under pressure.They discuss rapid growth, tough financial moments, surviving COVID as a travel events company, and launching into the fast-growing wellness festival space, along with lessons in resilience, sponsorship, and planning for the worst.Topics covered:Choosing events over a corporate law careerBuilding a student travel and nightlife events brandCOVID’s impact on travel events and refund pressuresRaising emergency funds to keep the business aliveLaunching a wellness festival and the growth of the sectorWhy founders shouldn’t be too ambitious too earlyReal world event mishaps and unexpected setbacksConnect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest Nick Steiert, Founder of Wellnergy and Invasion Events.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email hello@ventoinsurance.com.

January 28, 202640 min

Ep. 18 – Chris Carter - Founder and CEO of Eventwise

Welcome to Series 3 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, host Freddie Sparrow sits down with Chris Carter, Founder and CEO of Eventwise, to unpack the financial realities of running live events. From promoting student club nights in Bristol to working across the festival supply chain, Chris shares how he found his way into accountancy, and why understanding the numbers can make or break an event.The conversation covers everything from overinflated artist fees and rising costs, to the importance of solid budget sheets and cashflow management. Chris also shares some unforgettable stories from the field, including managing festival finances in Mexico under intense pressure, and what resilience really looks like when events aren’t going to plan.Topics covered:How Chris went from promoting club nights to leading an events finance businessWhy budget sheets are essential for every eventThe reality behind artist fees and marketing spendManaging cashflow at festivals (including a high pressure situation in Mexico)Why many independent promoters haven’t survived, and advice for those trying toBuilding an events brand that lasts, and the role of resilienceConnect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest Chris Carter, Founder & CEO of Eventwise.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email info@ventoinsurance.com.

January 14, 202641 min

Ep. 17 – John Rostron (AIF): Chaos, Power Cuts and the Fight for Grassroots Music

Welcome to Series 3 of When Shit Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast giving listeners a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, Freddie Sparrow chats with John Rostron, CEO of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), about a career shaped by a love of music, early chaos, and lessons learned the hard way. From losing money on first events to championing grassroots venues, John shares what it really takes to make live music thrive.Topics covered:How a love of music and organising led John into promoting.Why “never trust a promoter who’s never lost money” matters.Why local venues and knowledge are essential - and how co-promoting can work.Power outages, artists walking off stage, and handling live emergencies.Connect with host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and guest John Rostron, CEO of the AIF.This episode is sponsored by Vento Insurance - specialists in protecting live events when sh*t goes wrong. For event insurance advice, email info@ventoinsurance.com.

November 19, 202538 min

Ep. 16 - Craig Mathie from Project 30: When Formula 1 Goes Off Track & Festival Chaos

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.In this episode, we speak with Craig Mathie, Managing Director of Project 30, about what it was really like to run a festival company through and after the pandemic. Endless cancellations, what it was like launching a business in the wash-out summer of 2023, and why resilience and the right skillset matter more than anything when sh*t goes wrong.Topics covered in this episode:Running a festival business during Covid: Cancelling, rescheduling, and surviving the unknown.Craig's biggest festival ever: Pulled off in just 42 days after restrictions ended.Launching in a wet summer: The highs, lows, and mud-soaked realities of 2023.Why skillsets matter more than knowledge: Lessons for anyone starting out in events.Tents, beds, and windy nights at Formula 1: How small oversights become big problems at Silverstone.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Craig Mathie, Managing Director of Project 30 Events Management.

November 12, 202542 min

Ep. 15 - Olly Galvin: Mud, Weapons, Tough Decisions & The Day Fire in the Park Was Cancelled

Welcome to Season 2 of When Sh*t Goes Wrong at Events - the podcast where we give a backstage pass to the often unheard stories of event organising.This episode we sit down with Olly, Director of Acumen Safety, to talk about all things event safety, training, and crisis management in the live events industry. With years of experience helping organisers prepare for the unexpected, Olly shares insights on how to keep both teams and audiences safe when sh*t really does hit the fan.Topics covered in this episode:Fire in the Park Festival cancellation: The difficult decision to call off day two after extreme weather, a serious incident, and the long-term impact on the venue.Training and upskilling event professionals: Why continuous learning is key to building resilient, safety-focused teams.NEBOSH and Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs): What they are, and why they matter for event organisers.Posting on LinkedIn daily: How to track success, and why visibility helps push safety conversations forward.Fires at events and lessons learned: Plus the reality of working through the pandemic and its aftermath.Connect with our host Freddie Sparrow, Co-Founder of Vento, and connect with our guest Olly Galvin, Director of Acumen Safety.