Chris Payne grew up in a house full of music. His childhood was spent listening to the likes of Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and The Eagles, which became solid foundations for an aspiring guitarist.
He recalls, “I remember having a bit of a euphoric moment hearing Bittersweet Symphony for the first time as a kid. The swagger of that massive drumbeat combined with the strings got hold of something,” when asked of the first record to take him outside the safety of his dad’s music collection.
“I learnt the guitar, played in bands for over a decade, went to BIMM in Brighton for a year and ended up working at the Barfly in Camden for a few years under some good people”
Having played in bands all this time and worked at one of London’s renowned small venues, Chris found himself at ITB at the age of twenty four, initially working in the Dance Dept then going on to work for Lucy and Barry Dickins on tours as diverse as Bob Dylan and Jagwar Ma, Neil Young and Tourist.
“At ITB you discuss everything from the artists’ point of view. You’re acting in their best interests and thinking outside of London, outside of the UK and eventually outside of Europe. That international scope is still one of the most exciting aspects of this job for me, although it is still often the hometown one hundred cap clubs that put on some of the best shows as artists test themselves and their material in the early stages of their careers.”
Chris continues to assist Lucy and Barry Dickins with their tours and under their guidance is building his own roster of outstanding talent.
Bands of your youth:
I got into a fair bit back then, from Hendrix to Oasis, Metallica to Chemical Brothers, Underworld to Talking Heads. The band I loved to see live most was Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
First gig that blew you away
Reuben at the Oxford Zodiac. One of my first gigs full stop. The energy those three guys got across was insane.
Non-musical passion
I’m reading way too much history at the moment, mainly WW2.
Cleopold
Diane Birch
Formation
Love Ssega
Night Flight
North Downs
Royce Wood Junior
Broods
Bryan Ferry
D.D Dumbo
Devendra Banhart
Flo Morrissey
Jack Penate
Jagwar Ma
Jamie N Commons
Johnny Flynn
Mabel
Nick Murphy
RØMANS
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Tourist