Jazzy way to set up music event

Heather Walker and Cara Birchall were thrilled to invite Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff to launch their inaugural Livewire Festival this summer and, after such huge success, they are now dedicated to organising the next one.

The pair work for Piper Music Management, which is based in Blackpool, and they have seen their roles develop into something really exciting over the last few years.

Initially they worked backstage at a series of events for the company, before being taken on full time, where their main role was to manage and develop bands, introducing them to songwriters and producers.

That task has gradually progressed to covering events – and now they are in charge of organising the Livewire Festival, alongside directors Andrew and Gill Falconer.

Heather, 25, of Cottam, says: “I was a scholarship student at Preston’s College and, as part of extra duties, I worked on a charity event for Children In Need.

“I worked part time with Piper Music Management at Christmas lights switch-ons seven years ago.

“As the Livewire Festival began to take shape, I was taken on full time, as there is a lot to do.

“We had to start from the beginning, doing everything from research and sorting out Portaloos to booking acts.

“It is a great job.

“I can be in the office one day and the next I am waiting for the likes of Will Smith to arrive for the Livewire Festival which took place in August.

“He was very professional and organised.

“He was very chilled and did his thing. He knew what he was doing and the crowds went wild.”

Cara, 32, of Wigan, says: “One of my friends at Preston Dance College put my name forward to do some work backstage at one of Piper Music Management’s events.

“I was working on a Children in Need concert.

“I was then offered more work and began running events. My first big one was Towneley Live in Burnley a few years ago.

“I also did a lot of work for Late Night Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the Vampire Beach at Halloween.

“I also organised Christmas lights switch-ons all over the North West.

“Organising the Livewire festival takes up all our time.

“We bring artists who you may not normally see in concerts as they don’t tour anymore, like Will Smith, who chose Blackpool to perform a one-off gig.

“We were thrilled at the success of the festival, which was our first one. We are looking forward to the next one.”