In this episode, Jo — PR veteran turned artist manager for Pendulum, Knife Party, TesseracT, TRASH BOAT, Saint Agnes and more - breaks down the truth about modern artist development in a world of burnout, algorithm-chasing, and 200,000 new songs a day.

From gig-obsessed teenager to navigating EDM’s U.S. explosion, to guiding Pendulum’s comeback through a pandemic, to building her own management company UNHOLY - Jo shares the real mechanics of longevity: branding that’s actually you, fan ecosystems built on intention not virality, and live shows that create impact instead of just competence.

She unpacks the difference between growth and “going viral,” why the live world still fails women, and how artist managers survive the emotional, operational, and financial pressures of modern music.

This conversation is hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent — brand expert, strategist, and former Director of Music Programming across Bauer, Emap, and Channel 4.

They explore:

⬛ The early spark - music magazines, gigs & the path from journalism to PR

⬛ Pendulum’s return - pandemic chaos, rebuilding momentum & selling out Ally Pally

⬛ Artist management reality - boundaries, burnout & why no one should start in management

⬛ Branding beyond buzzwords - authenticity, extraction & what artists get wrong

⬛ Familiarity & fan psychology - why great brands feel “inevitable”

⬛ Live shows that convert - technology, theatre & leaving a mark as a support act

⬛ The hidden bias of live crews - microaggressions, credibility & why allyship matters

⬛ The 10% rule - tastemakers, community & why real breakthrough happens offline

⬛ Data that matters - core fans, superfans & why 500 people can power a career

⬛ The trap of virality - growth vs. spikes, emotional resilience & artist expectations

⬛ Streaming economics - value erosion, royalties & what must change

⬛ AI’s real future - tools not replacements, humanity as the competitive edge

⬛ The next 10 years - micro-communities, patron models & scaling intimacy

⏱ Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:49 Meet Joe — journalism dreams to global dance PR

01:17 Discovering the magic of curation & live culture

03:01 Early PR years — Swedish House Mafia, Tiësto, Marshmello & EDM’s boom

05:09 The U.S. festival shock — scale, spectacle & glitter everywhere

07:01 From PR to management — learning the whole machine

08:59 Pendulum’s pandemic return — chaos → sold-out arenas

12:06 Artist management loneliness, identity & rebuilding a roster

15:46 What new managers must learn before managing

17:28 Branding myths — authenticity, consistency & extraction

22:30 Familiarity bias — why great branding feels like déjà vu

25:05 Community, tribes & the fractured culture of 2025

27:04 The collapse of gatekeeping — TikTok, algorithms & equality of access

28:46 The biggest artist mistake — chasing virality over growth

30:54 Algorithms, expectations & why numbers don’t define success

33:09 Old metrics vs new metrics — what “success” means now

35:04 Live innovation — DJs, rock bands & creating unforgettable shows

37:14 How emerging artists stand out on support slots

39:40 Gender in live music — bias, microaggressions & real lived experience

43:52 Why allyship is the real accelerator of culture change

47:14 Breaking through in 2025 — finding your pocket, people & purpose

49:34 The 10% that matters — influencing influencers

51:12 Data, funnels & why 500 fans can fuel a career

54:03 Rethinking monetisation — the real cost of undervaluing music

57:01 AI realities — humanity vs soulless replication

59:40 The decade ahead — micro-communities, subscriptions & sustainability

1:03:00 Closing thoughts

Follow Mark Adams:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/markadamsai

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Welcome to the Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast – Best of 2025 🎧

This episode rewinds the biggest “did they really just say that?” moments of the year—raw confessions, wild stories, honest truths and practical insights that shaped conversations across the industry.

A full year of legends, disruptors and future-shapers dropping their guard and revealing how the business actually works.

Hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent, brand expert and industry leader with 20+ years at Bauer, Emap and Channel 4, working with major artists and global platforms including YouTube and Spotify.

This Best Of explores:

⬛ Kurt Cobain’s death, empathy in journalism & Eddie Vedder’s most emotional interview

⬛ MTV, Seattle & the bands who held each other—and the media—together

⬛ Spice Girls, Debbie Harry & Alanis: how 90s women rewired confidence and expression

⬛ “Queen of Metal”: women in heavy music and the OGs today’s presenters stand on

⬛ Sleep Token: anonymity, branding and why great songs come first

⬛ From broken arm → Metallica’s stage: fandom turning into career moments

⬛ AI as drum machine 2.0: tool vs threat in mixing, mastering & Atmos

⬛ Duty of care: managers, mental health and confidence wobbles

⬛ “Put your phone down”: social media as dangerously brilliant and toxic

⬛ Direct-to-fan 2.0: Open Stage, data capture & owning your audience

⬛ ChatGPT & sheets: predicting ticket sales and supporting artists, not replacing them

⬛ AI artists & virtual stars: switching talent “off” and the ethics of synthetic personalities

⬛ Sync 101: why supervisors search YouTube and how tags/moods get you placed

⬛ 100+ syncs later: discovery, cross-pollination & why TV beats big-budget ads

⬛ Streaming fraud & bot farms: fake plays, stolen royalties & why education matters

⬛ Adele, Lady Gaga, Girls Aloud & Boyzone: showcases, risk-taking & “Top Trumps 10s”

⬛ Heritage vs relevant: ageism, longevity & why great songs still cut through

⬛ Kylie, Padam & queer fandom: authenticity, identity & loyalty

⬛ TikTok, Gen Z & storytelling: why emotion beats trends

⏱ Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Intro – Why a Best of 2025

01:02 Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder & the interview that changed everything

04:25 Band support & fan loyalty

06:02 Spice Girls, Debbie Harry & 90s empowerment

09:05 Queen of Metal & women in heavy music

11:10 The phone call that led to MTV

13:22 Discovering Sleep Token

17:05 Metallica cassettes → stage moments

20:18 AI as tool, not replacement

24:05 AI vs human engineers

27:16 Sobriety & industry addiction

31:10 Duty of care & check-ins

34:02 Social media & mental health

37:40 Direct-to-fan & Open Stage

41:03 ChatGPT & revenue projections

45:00 Virtual AI talent ethics

48:15 Sync basics & YouTube

52:02 100 syncs later

55:30 Streaming fraud

59:05 Adele, Gaga & Girls Aloud

1:03:12 Boyzone & solo success

1:07:25 Kylie, Padam & ageism

1:10:40 Queer fandom & authenticity

1:14:22 TikTok & emotion-led storytelling

1:18:05 Young voices in the room

1:21:00 Closing thoughts & community

Follow Mark Adams:

LinkedIn – /markadamsai

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⬛ Instagram – /blindingtalentinsta

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⬛ YouTube – @BlindingTalent

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Class, NOT Race, is Music’s Biggest Gatekeeper

In this episode, Roman Tagoe - radio producer turned Director of Streaming at Chrysalis - pulls back the curtain on what actually moves the needle in music: audience-first storytelling over vanity metrics, intent over raw streams, and patient community-building over playlist sugar rushes.

From producing shows at BBC Radio 1 & 6 Music, to leading DSP strategy at Deezer and Napster, and now steering streaming for one of the UK’s most storied indie labels, Roman Tagoe shares how class, access, curation, and AI are reshaping the music industry (for better and worse).

Hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent, brand expert, and industry leader with 20 years’ experience at Radio and TV (Channel 4) - working with global artists and brands including YouTube and Spotify.

⬛ “It’s class, not race” - access, privilege & getting in the room

⬛ MiniDiscs, Mr. Brightside & the student-radio break that changed everything

⬛ 6 Music to Radio 1 - how broadcast crafts story, pace & audience-first thinking

⬛ Playlists ≠ careers - building heat and community outside DSPs

⬛ Independent vs major - access, advantage & why the race isn’t fair

⬛ Catalog that converts - Clash, Kate Bush, Paul Hardcastle & TikTok funnels

⬛ Content that works - authenticity, consistency & native storytelling

⬛ Label culture in 2025 - artist freedom, RAYE’s reset & hot takes

⬛ AI futures - bots, deepfakes & “Velvet Sundown”: make or ruin streaming?

00:49 Meet Roman & his 20-year journey across radio, DSPs & labels

01:17 Tape decks to Zane Lowe — falling in love with curation

03:58 Mr. Brightside & the MiniDisc that led to the first UK Killers interview

06:24 Early 6 Music - learning story, pace & audience-first formats

09:55 Broadcast lessons for TikTok & Reels (hooks, narrative, payoff)

13:05 Radio 1 handover from Zane Lowe - pinch-me moments

16:20 Race, class & the room - being “the only Black person” and why class bites harder

27:36 Case study: songwriter Gia Ford - in-studio moments that land

30:06 What great artists share - work ethic, songs, and vulnerability

36:33 How streaming teams really work now (and why NMF isn’t the win you think)

41:59 Build heat off-platform - socials, live, press → then streaming follows

44:49 Metrics that matter - saves, streams/listener, 28-day engagement

51:01 Catalog prompts to fandom - Stranger Things, The Clash & conversion

53:33 “New music” that’s old - how trends resurface (Paul Hardcastle’s Rainforest)

57:27 Label culture - RAYE’s blueprint & independence done right

59:46 If Roman had a magic wand - unbundling power & backing the art

1:01:04 AI’s fork in the road - bots, fake bands & the future of streaming

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The music business loves a shortcut—but real careers are built, not hacked. In this episode, award-winning publicist and manager Simon pulls back the curtain on how pop stars are actually broken: persistence over “promo stunts,” ruthless focus over doing “everything,” and authenticity over algorithm-chasing.

From being a teenage major-label signing to running PR for SMTV/CD:UK, stewarding Ant & Dec for decades, riding the One Direction juggernaut, relaunching Louise into the Top 10, championing RAYE, and elevating queer culture through Mighty Hoopla and Drag Race UK stars The Vivienne, Bimini and Tia Kofi—Simon shares the playbook (and the pitfalls) of modern fame.

This conversation is hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent, brand expert, and music industry leader with 20 years’ experience at Bauer, Emap, and Channel 4, working with major artists and global brands including YouTube and Spotify.

Together they explore:

⬛ From “flop pop star” to powerhouse PR: using early failure as fuel

⬛ The SMTV/CD:UK effect—why rooms, not emails, build careers

⬛ Ant & Dec: how trust, time and team culture create national treasures

⬛ One Direction’s Leicester Square takeover—what scale really feels like

⬛ Singles vs albums: why bodies of work still build fanbases

⬛ Louise’s return: beating ageism, ditching the “heritage act” box

⬛ RAYE’s rise: the public roots for authenticity (and album freedom)

⬛ Labels, risk and reality—why “more PR” ≠ “more streams”

⬛ Queer fandom = credibility: Mighty Hoopla and the pop ecosystem

⬛ Drag Race to mainstream: pick a lane, then kick down the door

⬛ Hot takes hurt: why pausing before posting is a superpower

⬛ AI futures: deepfakes, dead icons and the lines Simon won’t cross

⏱ Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:37 From Norfolk kid to major-label teen act

04:59 Freuds, SMTV/CD:UK & winning the room

07:21 Building lifelong trust with Ant & Dec

13:06 The 1D movie premiere—organising mayhem

16:45 Albums matter: how fanbases actually form

22:03 Louise’s comeback and industry snobbery

26:02 Breaking solo careers post-group: authenticity first

31:24 What PR really does (and doesn’t) do

37:04 Mighty Hoopla, queer credibility & community

39:10 Managing The Vivienne, Bimini & Tia Kofi—find your lane

45:02 Advocacy that moves the needle

50:27 Fans, hot takes & avoiding PR own-goals

55:03 The next 10 years: streaming shifts & AI red lines

59:00 Closing thoughts

Follow Mark Adams:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markadamsai/

Blinding Talent:

⬛ Learn more here - www.blindingtalent.com

⬛ Follow on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blindingtalent

⬛ Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blindingtalentinsta/

⬛ Follow on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@blindingtalent

⬛ Subscribe on YouTube - @BlindingTalent

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⚠️ WARNING: The music industry is chasing TikTok virality and it’s killing real artistry. Jacob Rickard reveals why labels are panicking, how Gen Z really discovers music, and why forcing artists to make content could destroy careers before they start.

Jacob Rickard is one of the most influential figures in music discovery today. Formerly a Music lead at Radio 1 and now a Gen Z strategist, he has worked with the biggest artists in the world and has been at the centre of how radio, streaming, and social media shape the charts.

This conversation is hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent, brand expert, and music industry leader with 20 years’ experience at Bauer, Emap, and Channel 4, working with major artists and global brands including YouTube and Spotify.

Together they explore:

⬛ Why virality isn’t a strategy (and why TikTok is breaking bad music into the charts)

⬛ How Gen Z treat all music as “new music” no matter when it was made

⬛ Why labels are failing by ignoring their youngest staff

⬛ How followers are not the same as fans and why community beats clout

⬛ Why forcing artists to post daily content is killing creativity

⬛ How radio still breaks artists but doesn’t make them cool anymore

⬛ Why the next big artist will break every formula you think you know

⏱ Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:11 Why “going viral” is NOT a strategy

06:42 The rise of bad music through TikTok

11:20 Why labels should listen to young people in the room

16:45 Followers vs. fans — what really matters

22:05 Why daily TikTok posting is killing artistry

28:19 How Gen Z discover music differently

35:10 Radio’s role in 2025 and beyond

42:17 Why every new artist needs a fresh formula

49:02 Community vs. clout, the future of fandom

54:48 Closing thoughts

Follow Mark Adams:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markadamsai/

Blinding Talent:

⬛ Learn more here - www.blindingtalent.com

⬛ Follow on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blindingtalent

⬛ Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blindingtalentinsta/

⬛ Follow on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@blindingtalent

⬛ Subscribe on YouTube - @BlindingTalent

Follow Jacob Rickard:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobrickard/

Lemontank - https://www.lemontank.com/

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From singing drunk at the pub to landing 100+ sync deals, a global hit written in under 30 minutes, and major label bidding wars — Sam Jack’s journey is pure music industry magic. 🎶🔥

In this episode, Sam shares his unfiltered story — from his South African musical roots and early gigs, to the unexpected Spotify explosion that changed everything. Packed with insider tips for artists, emotional turning points, and viral-worthy moments, this is a must-watch for anyone chasing a dream in music.

🎧 Listen on Spotify/Apple: https://blindingtalent.online/music-industry-podcast

🙋‍♂️Follow Mark Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markadamsai/

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Legendary A&R Colin Barlow sits down with Blinding Talent CEO Mark Adams and reveals how he signed Girls Aloud, chased the Yeah Yeah Yeahs across continents, and worked with icons like Beyoncé, Pharrell, and Justin Timberlake. Raw stories, real lessons, and music business gold. “Songs are everything.” A must-listen for artists, managers, and fans.

He discussed:

• The Relentless Importance of the Song
• Gut Instinct vs. Data in A&R
• Artist Development Takes Time
• Eclecticism as an A&R Superpower
• The Cultural Shift in Pop: From Polished to Wonky

Timecodes

02:00 Colin celebrates Skeelo’s iconic single and how even brief success can hold lasting impact.

3:05 From UB40 to early cover decisions, Colin explains the timeless power of reimagined music.

5:05 How a call about a Newcastle band sparked the Wildcard label—and birthed The Lighthouse Family.

9:10 Listening to UB40, Depeche Mode, hard rap, and beyond gave Colin the edge in spotting diverse hits.

10:15 Discusses genre tribes, fashion as identity (camouflage, baseball caps), and discovering vocal powerhouses like Dina Carroll.

12:20 From being ANR for Boyzone to shepherding Ronan's solo career, including “Life’s a Rollercoaster”—one of Colin’s proudest hits.

15:00 Signing the Yeah Yeah Yeahs changed Polydor’s reputation and opened doors to alt-rock and crossover acts.

18:20 The bold signing that unlocked a wave of alternative influencers like Snow Patrol and Scissor Sisters.

20:10 Praises Sam Fender's songwriting, authenticity, and potential to be “the UK Springsteen”.

22:00 Colin reveals he shaped Sound of the Underground from day one, embracing odd beats and daring creative vision.

23:30 Why great songs penetrate—regardless of origin. The golden rule: find your unicorn songs.

25:15 A crucial reminder that instant viral hits rarely build sustainable artist careers.

27:00 Tributes to Diane Warren, Paloma Faith, Gary Barlow, and true artist identities.

31:00 How Bring Me The Horizon and other acts that found massive streaming success without mainstream exposure.

33:00 The story of The Wanted’s school tour army redefining gatekeepers' decisions.

36:00 Argues against stats-first approach, advocating for belief, instinct, and long-term development.

40:30 From Beyoncé and Alicia Keys to Justin Timberlake—“Americans do it better” in production and precision.

44:15 A warm anecdote about sending Bowie a Golden‑Years rug—and getting a signed, quirky note back.

47:00 Reflections on Bowie and Prince’s fearless trial-and-error and artistic courage.

49:00 How RCA won a chart war, embraced Pharrell, and rode that joyful wave globally.

51:00 Memories from filming Eminem and Dr Dre and the enduring impact of The Defiant Ones documentary.

53:00 Critique of homogenisation in music and film, urging confidence and independence in artistic decisions.

55:00 How great A&R work requires being a psychologist, cultural curator, and song-shape shifter.

57:00 The demo that became Take That’s comeback single—pure A&R instinct in action.

60:00 Lessons about reunions and the pitfalls of missing original members for legacy acts.

62:00 From AI-powered Elvis concerts to how technology might bring Bowie & Beatles back to stages.

64:15 Colin warns against losing institutional memory and urges mentorship for next-gen music execs.

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About this Episode: Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Sol Parker, legendary UK live music agent and major figure in the music industry. Sol has helped shape the careers of The Prodigy, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Take That, Steps, Westlife, and many more. From his early days growing up around nightclubs and arcades in North Wales to representing some of the world's biggest acts, Sol shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories, valuable career advice, and the realities of surviving in the fast-changing world of live music.

Highlights include:

🎤 Working with iconic artists like The Prodigy, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Take That.

🎸 Sol’s unforgettable career moments — including tea with Kurt Cobain!

🎟️ How the live music industry evolved from the ‘90s to today.

❌ The power of saying "NO" – and how The Prodigy refused to appear on Top of the Pops.

🚀 The critical importance of songs vs. brand for new artists.

📲 How TikTok and social media changed artist discovery forever.

📈 The essential role of fan engagement and building a loyal audience.

🏆 The challenges independent artists face today — and practical tips for success.

🤒 A fascinating dive into the future of live music and music marketing post-COVID.

👥 The rise of stadium tours and why live music is booming again.

🎶 Advice for aspiring musicians: How to land those dream support slots.

Perfect for:

Musicians | Managers | Industry Pros | Live Agents | Aspiring Artists | Music Fans

📢 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more exclusive interviews with industry experts!

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major streaming platforms.

Follow Blinding Talent Podcast:

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