WINNER: DAVE MAUL AND SHANE DAUNT OF HEAVY POP PROMOTIONS SPONSORED BY M&G REAL ESTATE
The home of award winning charity fundraiser ‘Are You Listening Festival?’ and having promoted several huge global acts, the Reading-based independent promoters have more than 10 years of experience in promoting gigs across the town.
Down at the Abbey Festival has also been a resounding success bringing an array of music to the Reading Abbey Ruins.
They have also promoted some big names in music, including Reading’s own The Amazons as well as Idles, Royal Blood, Wolf Alice, Jon Hopkins, Sundara Karma and many more.
“We started Are You Listening in 2013,” said Dave.
“We raised money for Reading Mencap and then launched Down at the Abbey in 2019 and have done three editions of that.
“They’re both very community led so we work with lots of local businesses, volunteers and local bands.
“It’s not really our festival anymore, it belongs to the community and the people of Reading. We just look after it. It’s about bringing people together.
Shane added: “There are issues around grassroots venues and festivals, exposure for new bands is getting harder which is why I feel driven to keep it going and give opportunities to bands.
“We’ve survived on a lot of good will from a lot of good people. We’ve picked up so many brilliant volunteers along the years and our core team has some really critical people, we’re very lucky to have them so we’re very grateful.”
