Russell Lewis Warby is one of the UK’s most influential music booking agents. His career began almost by accident after promoting gigs in Nottingham in the late 1980s, before he found his niche in the emerging US alternative rock scene.
Since then, Russell has worked with an extraordinary roster of artists including Nirvana, Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Jack White, Pulp, Faith No More, Vampire Weekend, Johnny Marr and many more. In 2007, he helped establish WME’s London music division, later becoming a partner.
Alongside continuing to work with established and emerging artists, Russell returned to writing music himself after the pandemic and has released his debut solo album, Mystic Powers.
What do you do when the usual route into the music industry isn’t working? If you’re The Gulls, you move into a motorhome, busk your way around the country and start creating your own opportunities.
Brighton-based rock n’ rollers The Gulls will kick off this Hour with a few tracks live, before sharing what it really takes to make a living from music today. Alongside their manager Nicole Ormerod and legendary music agent Russell Lewis Warby, they’ll talk about standing out, building a following, making your own opportunities and doing things differently in an industry that never stands still.
Chaired by Richard James Butt from Blank Canvas Music, expect live music, stories from the road and a peek behind the curtain of making it in music today.
