Chris Payne

“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.