Welcome to the latest edition of Six Questions With..., a weekly short and sharp interview with a live music figure. Email jhanley@nbmedia.com if you would like to take part or recommend someone for inclusion.
This week's Q&A is with Kevin Thorborn, director of Mojo Barriers UK.
What was your first job in music?
My first music industry job was in sales with Mojo Barriers. I got into the business through a football team mate whose brother worked at Edwin Shirley Staging around 17 years ago. They’d teamed up with Mojo Barriers to start a barrier business and they needed a sales guy. It was totally different from any job I’d had before that.
How long have you been in your current role?
I’ve been at Mojo for 17 years and I’m still loving it!
What is your favourite thing about working in the music industry?
The music industry attracts an incredible bunch of people and it’s great to work alongside such exceptional and dedicated professionals. Not to mention the opportunities that this industry gives you, opening you up to experiences that other people could only dream of.
What is the one thing you would like to change about the business?
The events industry is renowned for being extremely competitive and in some cases relationships that have been forged over many years can be tested by tight margins. Suppliers have to negotiate much harder to get the work, with more and more decisions being made by the purse holders. For us this can be a concern, our core product is safety related and vital for protecting artists, crew and event attendees, and I really do hope and believe that responsible event organisers wouldn’t compromise in this area.
Best gig you’ve ever been to?
Hands down it was Oasis at Knebworth in 1996 which I attended with friends. This has gone down as one of the best Britpop gigs of all time and I remember being absolutely blown away by it. I will never forget the feeling I had watching, I was in absolute awe of the size and scale of it. From then on in I knew I wanted to work in the events industry.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
There have been so many highlights it’s almost impossible to choose. However, I was recently made a director of Mojo Barriers which was a huge honour.
