Shows / 2 Promoters, 1 Pod
2 Promoters, 1 Pod
ArcTanGent and Damnation organisers, James Scarlett and Gavin McInally, discuss the good, the bad and the downright ridiculous of promoting festivals.
Episodes
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe Report Card
At 44 years old, Gav is handed his first ‘report card’ since high school in the shape of a “Damnation 2026 Performance Review” he didn’t ask for. So how did he…
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe Production Manager with Marios Sozos
The Production Manager, an almost mythical creature found back stage stressing about about “patch” engineers and impossible changeover times. Who are they and…
2 Promoters, 1 PodLogistics, Volunteers & Spreadsheets - Q&A 26
Ok nerds, you want to hear about the the logistics of booking Mariner and making sure the stage is set for it exactly as planned? The importance of volunteers…
2 Promoters, 1 PodDamnation: Planning, Clashes & Macaroni.
It's exactly one month out from Damnation and planning is in full tilt with stage times, merch runs, flyposting campaigns, extra day tickets and a macaroni van…
2 Promoters, 1 PodBlood Incantation & Neurosis (... and site visits)
James unveils the first wave of bands for his “absolutely not a metal festival” with headliners Blood Incantation and Neurosis playing alongside Møl, Holy…
2 Promoters, 1 PodMR TPD TV with Rob Kellas
You might see yourself as a bit of a festival veteran because you’ve managed an impressive four events this summer but today’s guest calls that tally “July”…
2 Promoters, 1 PodMacklemore, Slipknot & Metal Influencers
Just when we thought it was going to be a quiet week, Ed Sheeran sets fire to himself and Slipknot drop a single that the music press love while the rest of…
2 Promoters, 1 PodAlcest, Heck & Bon Jovi...Q&A#25
When two hours just isn’t enough to break down the best ATG yet… we go again! This time Gav and James focus on the live performances the almost forgotten…
2 Promoters, 1 PodJustice For The Bus - The ATG Review
Gav and James dust off the ATG hangovers to dive back into what will go down in the history books as a festival for the ages. A nervy pod show, the best set…
2 Promoters, 1 PodDo You Drink Milk? - Live at ATG
Well, it happened! Our biggest live pod (by some distance) took place at 10am on the final morning of ArcTanGent and the listeners packed the Yokhai Stage for…
2 Promoters, 1 PodLoyalty Schemes, Tribute Dreams & Ed Gamble - Q&A 24
ATG is now and you’re either waking up hungover this morning on a farm, making your way here or wishing you were. Gav and James dive into the mailbag to get…
2 Promoters, 1 PodATG Preview: The Last Fernhill
Are you ready to get hyped? ATG build is underway, James is living in a field and the good times have started!! Just a week until ATG 2026 opens and it’s going…
2 Promoters, 1 PodRevealed: The New ATG Site
James is in the midst of the ATG site build and Gav has pissed off to Turkey for his “10th holiday of the year”. But those small hurdles can’t stop 2 Promoters…
2 Promoters, 1 PodHayrock Headaches (with Fred Thirst)
Some might say that you’d need to be crazy to start a festival, but that didn’t stop the team behind Hayrock giving it a go with a special tribute theme bash…
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe Trees Debrief
Another magnificent Trees is in the books and for many it was the best yet. But how did things look from behind the scenes, from 500 litres of water to photo…
2 Promoters, 1 PodHow to book a headliner (in 5 hours) Live at 2000 Trees
Live from the Saturday of 2000 Trees… James dishes on booking Don Broco to headline (in one day) and Gav comes out as an England supporter… Your pod merch…
2 Promoters, 1 PodQ&A#23
James is broken in a caravan. He tried his best. Your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-pod We go again, every Thursday morning.
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe BIG Trees Preview (& ATG move)
It’s almost Trees Time and the boys are getting giddy. James has his clean fridge stocked and reporting live from Upcote Farm about putting the finishing…
2 Promoters, 1 PodPRS Explained! (And more Gav antics)
Gareth Kelly from the Music Venue Trust joins us to untangle the mystery of PRS and explain how your favourite bands actually get paid. It'll all make perfect…
2 Promoters, 1 PodNo Scotland, No Party (Gav's World Cup)
Gav checks in from Boston to share stories from Scotland’s World Cup adventure, with the Tartan Army turning the city into a week-long party. From sold-out…
2 Promoters, 1 PodNew music, PRS and cold hard cash
New music, accidentally booking bands onto the podcast, navigating the baffling world of PRS, who actually gets paid when it comes to music venues, and just…
2 Promoters, 1 PodBooking The Berzerker & How To Grow a Festival - Q&A #22
Gav and James delve back into the mailbag to discuss venue upgrades, manageable festival growth and their favourite pod moments. But before that, Gav takes the…
2 Promoters, 1 PodTour Tales, Festivals Fails & Angine de Poitrine
Gav hopped on and back off the best tour of the year quicker than you can say “you don’t have a bunk”. But bus dramas aside, the We Lost The Sea, Overhead, The…
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe Debut UK Tour with We Lost the Sea
The stacked We Lost The Sea, Overhead, The Albatross and Dimscûa UK tour starts tomorrow. Mr Departure Songs, Mark Owen, joins the pod from Paris to discuss…
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe Security Brief
Security. The festival job that should be invisible. And sometimes, they’re completely missing… This week, we finally get to the long-awaited security episode…
2 Promoters, 1 PodGrassroots Venues, Headliner Hopes and Being Cancelled… Q&A #21
Gav and James dive back into the mailbag to tackle the topics of the day: the importance of grassroots venues, how their “future” headliner predictions panned…
2 Promoters, 1 PodGallows to Marshall (with Steph Carter)
From a "scrappy" punk kid to a corporate big wig at Marshall, Steph Carter has had an unusual and contrasting journey in the music business. He joins the pod…
2 Promoters, 1 PodDamnation’s Big Six, Kanye & Count Your Blessings…
And. We’re. Back! Sober and as on the ball as you can expect. Gav and James tackle Damnation’s biggest ever announcement and a surprise promise, if People…
2 Promoters, 1 PodBe Right Back (Thailand Edition)
James is still on the beach and Gav is emotionally on holiday still so it’s Shifty again. Are you ready for this one? From early (surprising) jobs, to first…
2 Promoters, 1 PodBe Right Back (Turkey Edition)
The boys are away so you’re stuck with me (Shifty). This week is a Q&A beer soaked bonanza. Book recommendations, holiday tips, balancing friendship and…
2 Promoters, 1 PodOceansize to Dave Lombardo - Mr Mike Vennart
Oceansize to Empire State Bastard, Biffy Clyro to Cardiacs, there’s one talent who connects them all: Mr Mike Vennart. But what’s it like being Mr Dependable…
2 Promoters, 1 PodNew Neurosis, Wildhearts Wishes & Ripcord Revelries
This is not a drill! The mighty Neurosis are back and promoters across the globe are excited, but who will nab them first in the UK? There’s also the sad news…
2 Promoters, 1 PodBeing Biffy Clyro’s Tour Manager (with Neil Anderson)
Being a tour manager at any level is an incredibly challenging role, but when the band schedule you’re responsible for includes headline sets at the likes of…
2 Promoters, 1 PodIt's Tree Time
The final (or so you think…) Trees bands are here and it’s time to show the neglected big cousin of the festivals show much needed love. The arena fillers, the…
2 Promoters, 1 PodBig Scary Label Boss (with Kevin Douch)
Man of many talents, Kevin Douch, joins the pod to discuss setting up and running the Big Scary Monsters record label over the past 25 years, band management…
2 Promoters, 1 PodATG’s Final Names, HRH Headaches & Download Drops…
It’s another pod exclusive ATG band drop, this time in the shape of the final 16 acts with some absolute belters and a few surprises in store. Gav and James…
2 Promoters, 1 PodFirst Aid Stats, Live Pods & Deftones... Q&A #19
With a rum and a beer in hand, James Scarlett is welcomed back to 2 Promoters, 1 Pod to tackle the neglected mail bag in a tipsy fashion. First aid stats…
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe Music Press Fight Back Round 2 (With Sam Coare)
Last week’s podcast discussing the current state of music journalism ruffled some feathers, to put it mildly. So this week Gav and James invite former Kerrang!…
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe Music Press Fight Back Part One (with Remfry Dedman)
Gav has had plenty to say on the pod about the declining quality of ballsy music journalism in the UK with talented scribes being reduced to hired hacks, used…
2 Promoters, 1 PodATG Exclusive & Geeking Out
45 ATG bands are here, and four hours before the rest of the world finds out - Arcane Roots aside! Gav and James discuss ripping up the promo plan when Radio 1…
2 Promoters, 1 PodPeople Power, Hot Bookings & Stand Up... Q&A#18
After a long break from the mailbag, Gav and James dive back in for the first Q&A since October. And what do the masses want to know about? If spotting and…
2 Promoters, 1 PodDamnation Dramas and 2026 Plans
The first wave of Damnation bands have been announced and they are bangers. But it wasn’t without mishaps, leaks and panic… as Gav explains. And James lays out…
2 Promoters, 1 PodOur Albums of the Year
It’s 2026 and Gav and James are ready to go again but there’s one small festive task to wrap up… the best albums of 2025. Surely they agree on most of the top…
2 Promoters, 1 PodEpisode 100: Xmas Tour Tales
Maybe it’s the post-tour blues, maybe it’s reaching 100 episodes or maybe it’s just the spirit of Christmas… Whatever the reason, Gav and James bare their…
2 Promoters, 1 PodWe Lost The Sea, O,TA & Dimscua - The Best Tour of 2026
Gav and James have put together the best tour of 2026… and they want you to know about it first. We go again, every Thursday morning.
2 Promoters, 1 PodRadiohead, LLNN, Kneecap: Gav’s Gig Guide
While James basked in the glory (and ticket sales) following the outrageous ATG headliners announcement, Gav went on his travels for live music thrills. And…
2 Promoters, 1 PodATG's 'Page One' Party
The ATG headliners have been announced and they are belters. Right from the top of the page one wish list: Primus, Chelsea Wolfe and Cult of Luna & Julie…
2 Promoters, 1 PodTalk Like an Egyptian
Gav might be in Egypt but it takes more than a £1,000, six-hour EasyJet flight seated beside a sweet racist Scottish granny to stop the man from fulfilling his…
2 Promoters, 1 PodDamnation: The Review
Damnation’s 20th birthday bash was a metal party for the history books. Jaw-dropping performances, production so good it was head scratching and a guy who shat…
2 Promoters, 1 PodDouble Damnation Plus Trees and ATG First Wave
James is back from his holiday looking sun-kissed and relaxed, Gav on the other hand is deep in the festival tumble dryer. Is it enjoyable to see the world’s…
2 Promoters, 1 PodAnalyse This: Gav & James in Therapy
Gav and James sit down for their third pod in six days (before the big man left on holiday) and leave no stone unturned in their search for fresh chat. AI…
2 Promoters, 1 PodBanking Ballaches, Stalking The Mars Volta & The End of 2 Promoters… Q&A17
Gav and James dive back into the mailbag to address the pressing matters of the day: best and worst festivals, that elusive Mars Volta booking and whether…
2 Promoters, 1 PodArtist Liaison (with Sarah Gilbert)
We've heard the stories of chaotic first years of 2000trees as James and his band of merry men tried to find their feet as festival organisers. But what we…
2 Promoters, 1 PodClashfinder General
The dreaded clashfinder, followed by the tsunami of complaints. A bleak annual onslaught every festival promoter dreads. But what actually goes into putting…
2 Promoters, 1 PodGolf Chants, Sales Rants & Porn Bants - Q&A 16
It's been a hectic auld week but Gav and James carve out just enough time to plunder the mailbox to explore the curious minds of the listeners. Ticket sales…
2 Promoters, 1 PodCensoring Two Promoters
With the growing popularity (it's appreciated!) of the pod, some people in the music business are less than delighted with the frank discussions that take…
2 Promoters, 1 PodThe To Do List: Damnation
Damnation is on the horizon and the reality of the outstanding to do list is starting to weigh on the team. But what exactly needs to be done before the gates…
2 Promoters, 1 PodHacking Spotify, Merch Budgets & Battlejackets - Q&A 15
Gav and James plunder the bulging mailbag once more to tackle the topics of the day. Using Oceansize’s Spotify as a publicity stunt. Trying to judge a band’s…
2 Promoters, 1 PodCustomer Help Desk (with Rob Scarlett)
"Hi there, you've reached Rob Scarlett at the 2000trees customer service desk, how may I assist you? "VIP camping was a hike to get to? The beers ran out? And…
2 Promoters, 1 PodAI Porn & Finding Theo - The ATG Aftermath
We're back with a two-hour slab of 2 Promoters... The 11th ATG is over and it was one for the history books so let's pick over the bones. Did James know that…