From Tracking Down Robert Plant to Headlining Bristol Sounds: The Journey of Conal Dodds in Live Music Promotion
Conal Dodds, the co-founder of the Bristol Sounds festival, shared how his career in live music began with a quirky attempt to track down Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin. This led him to work with iconic bands like Oasis during the Britpop era. Dodds started booking shows at a small pub in Hereford before moving on to larger venues and eventually working for a national promotions company. He emphasized that promoting live music is a creative industry where skills are learned on the job over time.
Dodds honed his skills at grassroots venues like TJ's in Newport and Metropolis in Bristol before working with Midland Concert Promotions, which taught him how to operate on a larger scale. He moved to Bristol in 1995 and focused on supporting local artists and venues, leading to the launch of Bristol Sounds, a major event in the city's cultural calendar. The festival, now in its 12th year, features acts sourced through Crosstown Concerts, with a mix of established and local artists.
Bristol Sounds takes place over five days at the Lloyds Amphitheatre, featuring headliners like The Streets, Super Furry Animals, The Kooks, and local band Getdown Services. Dodds values his relationships with artists he has worked with for years, emphasizing the human element in his work. He believes understanding people is crucial to being a successful promoter and acknowledges the challenges faced by the live music industry, especially at grassroots level.
Dodds highlighted the importance of grassroots music venues in nurturing future talent and sustaining the live music industry. He expressed his hope for the long-term success of Bristol Sounds, aiming to see the festival reach 50 years. Dodds reflected on memorable moments at the festival, including a performance by Skindred in 2024, and expressed his commitment to continuing his work in the music industry for years to come.