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 Sarah Nulty, director of Sheffield's Tramlines Festival. The latest edition took place over the weekend, featuring acts such as The Libertines, Metronomy, Primal Scream, All Saints and Kano.
What was your first job in music?
I started working in a house nightclub in Sheffield called Bed when I was 18 and in my first year of uni. It was late nights and long hours but I loved it, a bit too much really and that took priority over my studies. I loved the whole atmosphere and soon realised it's the industry I wanted to be in. After leaving there I managed a 200-capacity live music and club venue called The Harley for around six years before moving into working on the festival.
How long have you been in your current role?
I've worked on the festival since it began in 2009, but in my current role as festival director since 2013.
What is your favourite thing about working in the live music industry?
It's lots of fun. Don't get me wrong, it can be very stressful, but I work with some really great people, which helps. I'm essentially putting on parties for people, which is a great job to have. I'm not sure if this is all industries but I definitely feel I've met a lot of characters in the music industry with lots of stories.
What is the one thing you would like to change about the business?
I think there are lots of people that are completely underpaid for the amount of work they do. That's the biggest change I'd like to see.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Every year at the festival brings a new highlight. Watching 15,000 jumping up and down in the sunshine to someone you've booked is always pretty special.
What's the best gig you’ve ever been to?
There are two gigs that really stick out for me. One was seeing Prince with about 10 of my friends in London, we were really lucky to get tickets and it's one I'll never forget. The other is more recent at Primavera where I watched Black Angels for the first time, their on-stage presence and visuals were great and I thought the drummer was the coolest woman ever.
