2 December 2025
Backstage with Backup
E10: Help in a crisis

Guests: Sally and Rob Taylor, and Hannah Evans, the parents and sister of Adam Taylor, who was a sound engineer and DJ Adam Fabulous.

Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and is proud to help spread the word about the great work Backup does, taking care of their Press & PR.

In this conversation: The Taylor family talk about Adam’s support of Backup and how the charity helped when he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer.

Episode key topics + chapter markers:

3:01 Rob and Sally tell us about Adam, his childhood, and what lead to him being an audio engineer and DJ.
9:28 Rob talks about Adam’s time at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, how the technical course he completed changed his life, and how he became DJ Adam Fabulous.
13:38 Sally shares Adam's career start from his first job as sound engineer on Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre, to how he travelled the world on various shows from theatre to corporate events, but still somehow managed to fit being a DJ and father into the mix.
16:00 Rob and Sally tell us stories about Adam that most stick in their minds, from meeting The Prodigy to taking Rob to the 90th Anniversary of Abbey Road Studios, and making everyone’s day at a gig on Brighton beach.
21:38 Sarah asks about why Adam was so passionate about supporting Backup.
25:15 They discuss what it meant to have Backup provide financial support during such a difficult time.
30:42 Sarah asks if they’d had any experience of how easy the process of asking for help was.
34:09 Rob and Sally explain what they’re doing to raise money for Guildhall students in Adam’s memory.
40:49 Rob talks about technical entertainment industry family and how being part of it is a comforting support network. Hannah explains that Backup’s support was above and beyond what a charity normally does, the support given by St Christopher’s Hospice, and how the love Adam always gave out came flooding back to him.

Useful resources / links related to this episode:
Adam Fabulous Scholarship https://gsmd.ac.uk/in-memory-of-adam-taylor

Support the show

Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

• Website: https://www.backuptech.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupuk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backuptechuk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backup-tech-charity/

14 October 2025
Backstage with Backup
E9: Applying for help is simple

Guests: Backup Trustee, Rick Fisher, is a theatrical Lighting Designer based in the UK and working internationally. A former chair of the Association of Lighting Designers, (now the ALPD), he is one of the original founders of Light Relief and Backup charities.

Nikki Scott, Pastoral Care at Backup, was Managing Director at Stage Technologies and prior to that at DHA Lighting. Both companies designed, manufactured and installed equipment in entertainment venues around the world. A lifelong active participant in amateur and professional theatre, working behind the scenes as well as an ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) board member. Having volunteered as a ‘Samaritan Listener’ in the past, Nikki is keen to give those in our industry in need of support, a safe space when reaching out to Backup for help.

Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and is proud to help spread the word about the great work Backup does, taking care of their Press & PR.

In this conversation: Rick and Nikki explain the application process and why no one needs to worry about asking for help.

Episode key topics + chapter markers:

1:15 – Rick and Nikki introduce themselves and explain their roles at Backup, and Rick talks about why and how the charity started.
7:34 – Nikki advises people to explore the possibility of putting some financial protection in place for when it’s really needed. Both emphasise that, even if that is in place, Backup is still there to help in a crisis.
10:21 – Nikki explains what happens if someone doesn’t feel able to contact Backup themselves. Both talk about how Backup is the industry helping itself through fundraising and referrals, and how the counselling Backup helps provide can be transformative.
16:00 – The process of applying, how help is tailored to the individual, and the time it takes to get help is outlined.
21:12 – Sarah asks what happens if long-term help is needed, and then what happens if you enquire on someone else’s behalf.
29:27 – Rick stresses how easy it is to ask for help and Nikki talks about how it’s completely non-judgemental.

Support the show

Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

• Website: https://www.backuptech.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupuk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backuptechuk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backup-tech-charity/

25 April 2025
Backstage with Backup
E8: How To Be A Financially Savvy Freelancer

Guests: Suzi Green Tour Manager at Healthy-touring.com, Founder of The BACK LOUNGE and Mental Health Advocate, and Paul Jones, Event production and management specialist at Ethix Management, and founder of UK Live Event Freelancers Forum.

Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and is proud to help spread the word about the great work Backup does, taking care of their Press & PR.

In this conversation: Suzi and Paul talk to Sarah about a series of Financial Literacy workshops they’re hosting for freelancers working in the live entertainment industry.

Episode key topics + chapter markers:
1:16 – Suzi and Paul outline their roles in the industry, why they decided to create the Financial Literacy Workshops.

6:20 – Suzi and Paul outline why financial planning isn’t necessarily freelancers’ top priority, but why it’s important and beneficial to do.

16:20 – Sarah asks for a brief overview of what will be covered in each of the three workshops and the experts that will be giving information and advice.

29:26 – Paul talks about the How to Become a Savvy Freelancer session at PLASA Leeds that he, Suzi and Backup Chair Piers Shepperd are taking part in, and Suzi invites people to send in questions in advance.

Useful resources and links related to this episode:
A link to the recorded version of the courses will be linked here after they have taken place in May.

Support the show

Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

• Website: https://www.backuptech.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupuk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backuptechuk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backup-tech-charity/