Team Tonic spent two fantastic days attending the Night Time Economy Summit in Manchester.
On 8th/9th February the TONIC team once again attended the Night Time Economy Summit, this year at Freight Island in Manchester. This was the third year running TONIC were attending this vital event, organised by the Night Time Industries Associations, highlighting some of the key issues within the night time and music industries.
Across both days, TONIC provided an exhibition stand with information about our Tonic Rider and Never Mind The Stigma programmes, along with displays of the resources we supply to festivals, venues and tours throughout the UK. It was great to meet and learn about the amazing work of so many people from the night time and music industries. A particular highlight for the team was catching up with TONIC supporter, Gary Powell (The Libertines - pictured below).
Alongside this, Tonic also hosted a panel titled ‘Exploring Showtime Highs, Backstage Lows’. The panel was moderated by Jeordie Shenton (Tonic Programmes Coordinator) and featured Robbie Ashdown (Tonic Head of Events Operations), Amy Bee Sting (Oh My God! It’s The Church), Biff Mitchell (Glastonbury / Beautiful Days), Rowetta (Happy Mondays) and Seanie T (Dub Pistols).
Each panelist shared their experiences of ‘showtime highs’ and ‘backstage lows’, whilst discussing ways in which the night time and music industries can better support the mental health of artists and crew at events. The panel also provided a great opportunity to highlight our Tonic Rider backstage mental health support initiative, which will be present at several festivals in the summer.
In addition, TONIC were also invited to participate on another panel titled ‘Inclusive Safeguarding - The Importance of Partnership Working). This panel was moderated by Lisa Baskott (2nd Line Security) and featured Danny Clare (Ask For Clive), Eren Bessim (Safer Business Network), Ian Haworth (Hippodrome Casino) and Iwona Kossek (Six Til Six). TONIC were represented by Jeordie Shenton, who highlighted the mental health training courses and taught workshops Tonic offers to organisations in the night time and music industries.
Altogether, the Night Time Economy Summit was a fantastic event and one that Team Tonic are delighted to be a part of. A big thank you goes to Michael Kill, Silvana Kill and the NTIA team for inviting us and being wonderful hosts.
