Blinding Talent’s Music Industry Podcast has welcomed Stephen Budd to talk about more than forty years spent shaping artists, producers, venues and festivals across the music business.
One of the UK’s most influential behind the scenes figures, Budd traces his career from its earliest moments to the ideas now driving debate about the future of music.
He begins with his first paid job as a 15-year-old roadie at Motörhead’s first ever gig, before moving into the DIY world of punk and new wave, where learning every job on the road became a practical education in how the industry really works.
That hands on approach continued as Budd pressed his own 7” singles and walked into Rough Trade, where Geoff Travis bought all 500 copies on the spot, an early lesson in belief, timing and momentum.
A defining part of the episode focuses on what Budd describes as direct fan marketing long before it had a name, an approach he believes still underpins successful artist careers today.
He recalls touring with an eight-piece band and collecting 15,000 fan contacts, then cold calling every single one from a room filled with 10 phones to drive chart shop sales, TV exposure and national momentum.
Budd argues that while the tools have changed, with video, voice notes and community platforms now available, the principle remains the same, building genuine relationships directly with fans rather than relying solely on gatekeepers.
The conversation also explores how a bold knock on a studio door led to a long working relationship with legendary producer Tony Visconti, and how Budd went on to pioneer producer management as a formal discipline within the industry.
From there, he reflects on the ecosystem building era of ChannelFly and MAMA Group, covering venue expansion, festival strategy and the origins of The Great Escape, which has become a cornerstone showcase for emerging global talent.
Budd explains how credibility, strong curation and trust from the industry helped the festival grow into an essential launchpad, while also breaking down how artists really get booked, from agent relationships to metrics, momentum and confirmation bias.
The episode closes with Budd’s hot takes on the current landscape, including the impact of artificial intelligence on streaming economics, the realities of social media for musicians, and what record labels are actually for as the industry continues to evolve.
Alongside his commercial work, Budd’s wider cultural impact is also discussed, including his involvement in Africa Express and fundraising initiatives for organisations such as War Child, Music Venues Trust and ClientEarth.
