AAA 30under30 alumni Josh Cherrington began working in live events following a stint playing in a ‘dreadful indie band’ as a teenager (his words, not ours). This exposure to the industry inspired him to pursue a career in live events. Since then, he has worked in a variety of roles across tours, venues and greenfield sites, which has led him to his current role as an event manager at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

What was the first live event that really made an impression on you?

The first concert I ever went to was S Club 7, but the one that truly left an impression on me was when my dad took me to see KISS at the Birmingham Arena when I was a kid. We queued for hours and even did face paint. To this day, I remember the grand scale of the production, the pyrotechnics, the set, everything. I believe that experience was what opened my eyes to what would later become my career.

What aspect of your role do you find most fulfilling?

The most fulfilling part of the job is the moment when thousands of fans erupt in cheers as the house lights drop, right before their favourite band takes to the stage. No matter how many times I hear it, it still gives me chills. What I love most is knowing that some people have been looking forward to an event all year, or even longer, yet we get to live that magic every single day.

What is the first career highlight that comes to mind?

There really are too many to count, but I think the first time I felt like I’d ‘made it’ was about five minutes before we opened the doors ahead of Elton John. I’ve been really lucky to work with some excellent colleagues, teams and visiting productions but at times it does all blur together.

What is your advice for someone who wants to start a career in events?

I’d say to never be afraid to ask questions and never stop learning – every day is a school day. Get out there and get stuck in. Be helpful, be passionate, but most of all – be nice to work with. Organisation is key so try and manage your time as best you can and watch out for burnout because it sucks.

When not at work, what do you do to switch off and relax?

I’ve always struggled with switching off—it’s something I’m constantly trying to improve, like stepping away, turning off emails, and actually recharging, but it’s definitely a challenge. I often find myself using time off to do freelance projects and other bits of event management. However, when I’m ‘properly’ away from work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and exploring new restaurants.

The Access All Areas 30Under30 is proud to be sponsored by Event Crowd. Founded in 2021 by Bournemouth 7s Festival founder Roger Woodall, Event Crowd has since welcomed more than 700 students onto its course and helped hundreds of alumni break into the events industry.

Find out more.

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