Welcome to the latest edition of Six Questions With..., a 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 Roberto Bua, account manager of face value ticket resale site Twickets.
What was your first job in the music industry
I spent most of my 20s as a drummer in a rock band. Five years ago I moved to London and got a work experience placement in the digital department at Island Records. I couldn't have asked for a better start in the music industry.
How long have you been in your current role
I've been working at Twickets for almost two years. It's been great to see how much the company has grown in such a short period of time. We recently raised £1.2 million in crowdfunding, which will allow us to launch our platform in Australia, the US and other territories this year. Our list of partners now includes a large number of artists, promoters, venues and ticketing companies.
What is your favourite thing about working in the music industry?
The fact that it's ever-changing, especially in the live sector. New tours and festivals are announced on a daily basis, artists go from playing pubs to playing arenas in a matter of months, other acts disappear after a couple of singles... it's sometimes hard to keep up to date with everything but it surely keeps things entertaining.
What is the one thing you would like to change about working in the music business?
It's a really obvious answer, but most people in the live business will agree that the secondary market is broken and needs to be fixed. Ticket touts and the secondary websites through which they operate generate vast amounts of money out of desperate fans, with none of it going back to the industry. There is a need for a secondary market, but an ethical one which actually benefits fans, and that's why I think resale for profit should be banned or at the very least severely regulated. We can't let live music become a luxury which only those with deep pockets can afford.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Being able to work with artists as diverse as You Me At Six, Stormzy or Craig David and offering their fans a solution to find tickets to sold out events even when they've lost all hope. I'm a music fan first and foremost, so this part of my job is particularly rewarding.
What is the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It's practically impossible to choose just one. I will never forget seeing Green Day in Barcelona when I was 17. Their album at the time (Warning) wasn't doing so well so the show got downgraded to a 500 capacity venue, which made it one of the sweatiest and most intense gigs I've ever seen.
In terms of showmanship and production, the Watch The Throne tour (Jay Z and Kanye West) at The O2 a few years ago totally blew me away. I haven't seen anything that spectacular ever since.
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