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INterview with
amy wright
founder of aw promotions & events
With the music industry suffering the effects of the pandemic over the last couple of years and with many artists and music businesses still feeling the pinch, we caught up with business owner Amy Wright who is bucking the trend and has seized the moment to start a brand new promotions and events company.
Hi, thanks for taking the time out to talk with us. To start us off, could you tell us about yourself?
Hey everyone, my name is Amy Wright and in 2021 I proudly set up my own promotions & events company, based within West Cumbria. I am 33 years young, have a great intuition, I am very determined, love live music and of course, discovering new bands. I started this company because I have a passion for live music and since my teenage years have enjoyed nothing better than a live gig but in recent years, I have noticed a decline within my local and surrounding areas. I want to improve the accessibility of live music for all and have affordable events that a mixture of ages can attend. There’s a lot of potential out there with venues and outdoor spaces! I truly believe that I am finally doing what I was meant to do with my life. I have worked hard to achieve what I have so far and have lots planned for the future, I’ve learned a lot along the way and have grown from all my experiences, personal and career wise and I honestly, love what I do. I love life every day. #Manifestthebest!
For those who haven’t discovered AW Promotions And Events, what is it and who is it for?
AW Promotions & Events promotes Cumbria and beyond bands and artists through social media marketing and organising & promoting their events. I currently work with venues across Cumbria and specialise in: Rock/Alt-Rock/Pop-Punk/Punk-Rock. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Spotify @awpromoevents Bands can contact me to discuss a personalised social media package where they are looking to promote their new single/album/event. Venues can contact me to discuss organising @awpromoevents nights at their venue – we can talk through the bands I currently promote and which bands I know will perform well at their venue and have a kick-ass show! I have a great insight into who will be the next bands/artists to watch out for! I am constantly reaching out to bands or artists that I enjoy and feel I can help.
You have already gained valuable experience in the music industry. What is the most important piece of advice you could give to people who are just starting out and trying to find their way in music?
When it comes to bands, one of my pieces of advice would be, to inspire each other. For decades, bands have had the stereotypical label of one person in the band is in charge and what they say goes. No, that’s not how it works. Inspire and listen to each other, don’t be afraid to try new ideas, music is always evolving and that’s how it should be. Team work makes the dream work as they say! My journey working within the music industry started late 2019, it started off with my own word press website, blogging about different bands/artists – including local bands which then led me to setting up a pr business and now its developed into Promotions & Events. Some days I need to sit back and reflect on how far I have come on my own. It’s been a scary but very exciting journey and I know that there will be happy tears at my up-coming events! It’s taken a lot of hard work and dedication and still is – so I would advise, trust your gut, follow your real passion in life and people will see that you are not messing around! Confucius said: “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I work hard because I choose to but is it really work when you love it?
Hey everyone, my name is Amy Wright and in 2021 I proudly set up my own promotions & events company, based within West Cumbria. I am 33 years young, have a great intuition, I am very determined, love live music and of course, discovering new bands. I started this company because I have a passion for live music and since my teenage years have enjoyed nothing better than a live gig but in recent years, I have noticed a decline within my local and surrounding areas. I want to improve the accessibility of live music for all and have affordable events that a mixture of ages can attend. There’s a lot of potential out there with venues and outdoor spaces! I truly believe that I am finally doing what I was meant to do with my life. I have worked hard to achieve what I have so far and have lots planned for the future, I’ve learned a lot along the way and have grown from all my experiences, personal and career wise and I honestly, love what I do. I love life every day. #Manifestthebest!
For those who haven’t discovered AW Promotions And Events, what is it and who is it for?
AW Promotions & Events promotes Cumbria and beyond bands and artists through social media marketing and organising & promoting their events. I currently work with venues across Cumbria and specialise in: Rock/Alt-Rock/Pop-Punk/Punk-Rock. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Spotify @awpromoevents Bands can contact me to discuss a personalised social media package where they are looking to promote their new single/album/event. Venues can contact me to discuss organising @awpromoevents nights at their venue – we can talk through the bands I currently promote and which bands I know will perform well at their venue and have a kick-ass show! I have a great insight into who will be the next bands/artists to watch out for! I am constantly reaching out to bands or artists that I enjoy and feel I can help.
You have already gained valuable experience in the music industry. What is the most important piece of advice you could give to people who are just starting out and trying to find their way in music?
When it comes to bands, one of my pieces of advice would be, to inspire each other. For decades, bands have had the stereotypical label of one person in the band is in charge and what they say goes. No, that’s not how it works. Inspire and listen to each other, don’t be afraid to try new ideas, music is always evolving and that’s how it should be. Team work makes the dream work as they say! My journey working within the music industry started late 2019, it started off with my own word press website, blogging about different bands/artists – including local bands which then led me to setting up a pr business and now its developed into Promotions & Events. Some days I need to sit back and reflect on how far I have come on my own. It’s been a scary but very exciting journey and I know that there will be happy tears at my up-coming events! It’s taken a lot of hard work and dedication and still is – so I would advise, trust your gut, follow your real passion in life and people will see that you are not messing around! Confucius said: “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I work hard because I choose to but is it really work when you love it?
Is AW Promotions And Events focused on a specific genre?
Yes. I tend to focus on Rock/Alt-Rock/Pop-Punk/Punk-Rock for most of my promotional stuff and events. It is where my personal passion lies so I believe I can get the best outcome for my clients with the stuff that gives me life! In saying this, I do also love Metal. The premiere of @awpromoevents is a Metal and Rock event where FURY is the headline band, and there are 2 Cumbrian Rock/Metal bands supporting. I can’t wait for this, FURY are amazing! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy plenty of different music genres. To be honest, over one long weekend recently I had been to see Dua Lipa and then Architects and both gigs were awesome! If I enjoy the music and get good vibes then I believe I can help and I’d do what I can. Promoting what you enjoy and love listening to doesn’t feel like work, so it’s a real dream come true.
How have you found the leap from music promotion to event and festival organiser?
Challenging but highly rewarding at the same time! I have always wanted to put on gigs/events from a young age. I grew up with Rock and Metal Music and I always had a vision that one day I would be doing something with that for a living. I am extremely passionate when it comes to live music and to see people singing and dancing along to events that are by @awpromoevents or from a promotion perspective, is just the best feeling and I can’t wait for the adventure to continue!
In the immediate future, you have your first ever event coming up in Whitehaven. Could you tell us about that?
Yeah, sure! The premiere of AW Promotions & Events will be taking place at the Solway Hall in Whitehaven on Saturday September 3rd where FURY will be headlining – cannot wait to meet them in person and to see them on my hometown stage! FURY kicked ass at their first Download Festival performance this year and they are definitely making their stamp on the emerging bands scene. Special guests are Somethin’ Brewin’ (A 4-piece rock band from Silloth/Aspatria that perform hardhitting classic rock anthems) & BOSEN (Original thrash metal band from Carlisle – Inspired by 80’s and modern thrash/groove metal) Both of these local bands are doing really well within the local area and more people need to know about them! I am wanting to create a whole vibe for this event, a mini rock festival in my home town so I am getting wristbands made, booked a local photographer who will be taking snaps of all three bands along with everyone in the crowd enjoying the night – so look sharp! Putting out merchandise tables for all three bands, advertising everywhere I can, spreading the word through all my friends. I am looking for a local artist that could perhaps showcase some of their work in the entrance to get the crowds talking - paintings would be awesome! I don’t think I can fit the classic burger or falafel van in the Solway Hall but I’ll do my best with what we we’ve got.
What are your long-term goals for AW Promotions And Events?
My long-term goals for @awrpromoevents are to build more working relationships with venues across the UK such as Waterloo Music Bar Blackpool, Manchester Academy and The Cavern Club in Liverpool, just to name a few that are in my sights. To secure a @awpromoevents slot at different festivals – that would be amazing! There’s a hell of a lot of local and beyond bands/artists that are absolute smashing it with their music and I want to be that person that gets their voices heard and make awesome memories together! If I could get some of these bands seen by a wider audience then I’d feel like I had achieved something for them. If I could get these bands, which I 100% believe in, into bigger venues with larger crowds and have people enjoying their music and buying their merch then that would be amazing.
And finally, how do people find AW Promotions And Events?
People can search @awpromoevents on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter and also Spotify!
Yes. I tend to focus on Rock/Alt-Rock/Pop-Punk/Punk-Rock for most of my promotional stuff and events. It is where my personal passion lies so I believe I can get the best outcome for my clients with the stuff that gives me life! In saying this, I do also love Metal. The premiere of @awpromoevents is a Metal and Rock event where FURY is the headline band, and there are 2 Cumbrian Rock/Metal bands supporting. I can’t wait for this, FURY are amazing! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy plenty of different music genres. To be honest, over one long weekend recently I had been to see Dua Lipa and then Architects and both gigs were awesome! If I enjoy the music and get good vibes then I believe I can help and I’d do what I can. Promoting what you enjoy and love listening to doesn’t feel like work, so it’s a real dream come true.
How have you found the leap from music promotion to event and festival organiser?
Challenging but highly rewarding at the same time! I have always wanted to put on gigs/events from a young age. I grew up with Rock and Metal Music and I always had a vision that one day I would be doing something with that for a living. I am extremely passionate when it comes to live music and to see people singing and dancing along to events that are by @awpromoevents or from a promotion perspective, is just the best feeling and I can’t wait for the adventure to continue!
In the immediate future, you have your first ever event coming up in Whitehaven. Could you tell us about that?
Yeah, sure! The premiere of AW Promotions & Events will be taking place at the Solway Hall in Whitehaven on Saturday September 3rd where FURY will be headlining – cannot wait to meet them in person and to see them on my hometown stage! FURY kicked ass at their first Download Festival performance this year and they are definitely making their stamp on the emerging bands scene. Special guests are Somethin’ Brewin’ (A 4-piece rock band from Silloth/Aspatria that perform hardhitting classic rock anthems) & BOSEN (Original thrash metal band from Carlisle – Inspired by 80’s and modern thrash/groove metal) Both of these local bands are doing really well within the local area and more people need to know about them! I am wanting to create a whole vibe for this event, a mini rock festival in my home town so I am getting wristbands made, booked a local photographer who will be taking snaps of all three bands along with everyone in the crowd enjoying the night – so look sharp! Putting out merchandise tables for all three bands, advertising everywhere I can, spreading the word through all my friends. I am looking for a local artist that could perhaps showcase some of their work in the entrance to get the crowds talking - paintings would be awesome! I don’t think I can fit the classic burger or falafel van in the Solway Hall but I’ll do my best with what we we’ve got.
What are your long-term goals for AW Promotions And Events?
My long-term goals for @awrpromoevents are to build more working relationships with venues across the UK such as Waterloo Music Bar Blackpool, Manchester Academy and The Cavern Club in Liverpool, just to name a few that are in my sights. To secure a @awpromoevents slot at different festivals – that would be amazing! There’s a hell of a lot of local and beyond bands/artists that are absolute smashing it with their music and I want to be that person that gets their voices heard and make awesome memories together! If I could get some of these bands seen by a wider audience then I’d feel like I had achieved something for them. If I could get these bands, which I 100% believe in, into bigger venues with larger crowds and have people enjoying their music and buying their merch then that would be amazing.
And finally, how do people find AW Promotions And Events?
People can search @awpromoevents on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter and also Spotify!