The podcast asking the questions the industry avoids.
Provocateurs is a conversation platform built for the nightlife, hospitality, events industry and those shaping culture.
Each episode, Sarah Moxom (Phoenix Group Global Founder) sits down with the operators, promoters, DJs, and disruptors who build the scene and pushes past the polished soundbites to get to what people really think.
We dive into a wide range of topics, from current events to personal growth, relationships to entrepreneurship, with a shared goal to connect across our network and share the stories that got us here.
No scripts. No safe questions.
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The Business of Being an Artist: Rue Jay on Ghost Producing, Studio Investment, and Social Media Strategy
Épisode 91
lundi 19 octobre 2026 • Durée 57:54
In this episode of Provocateurs, Sarah sits down with veteran DJ and producer Rue Jay. With a career spanning over 25 years in the UK electronic music scene, Rue shares his story—from buying cassette mixes and DJing to 2,000 people at 19 years old in Birmingham to earning three Beatport Number 1 records and having dance music legend Carl Cox use his track to close down UNVRS in Ibiza.
Rue breaks down the realities of modern music production and why he views his current career phase as a pure "passion project" funded by his entrepreneurial ventures, including his renowned Birmingham tattoo studio. The discussion tackles the controversy surrounding ghost production versus genuine sound engineering collaboration, the shift toward content creation for modern producers, and the economic hurdles facing UK venues and promoters today.
Key Takeaways
25 Years in UK Club Culture: From cassette tapes, vinyl boxes, and pirate radio to headlining major venues across Birmingham and London.
The Carl Cox Effect: The surreal moment Carl Cox used Rue's track to close down an extended set at UNVRS in Ibiza.
3x Beatport Number 1s: The creative process behind making chart-topping records like Take Me and remaking classics like Plastic and Sweet Sensation.
The Ghost Production Controversy: Rue's unfiltered take on ghost producers, studio sound engineers, and maintaining artistic integrity.
Entrepreneurship in Music: Funding music production and studio mix/mastering costs through tattoo studios and hospitality businesses.
The Reality of Modern Venues: High council rates, rising licensing costs, and how 3,000 to 5,000 capacity spaces like Gasworks are reshaping Birmingham nightlife.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:13 – Humble Beginnings: Cassettes, Pirate Radio & First Vinyl Sets
02:15 – Playing to 2,000 People in Birmingham at 19 Years Old
03:49 – The Golden Era of UK Club Brands & Venues
05:50 – The Carl Cox Story: Hearing My Track at UNVRS Ibiza
09:38 – Achieving 3x Beatport #1 Records & Production Strategy
11:45 – Why 90s Melodies Resonate with Gen Z Ravers
14:00 – "Don't Do This for Money": Advice for Emerging Producers
16:30 – Becoming a Content Creator: Social Media & Modern Music marketing
18:43 – Diversifying into Tattoo Studios & Hospitality Businesses
22:42 – The Financial Realities of Record Labels & Streaming Royalties
27:35 – Handling Club Venue Decline & Hitting Rock Bottom
30:25 – Birmingham Nightlife & Gasworks 5,000-Cap Warehouse space
32:10 – Council Rates, Business Fees & Venue Survival in 2026
41:10 – Exposing Ghost Production vs. Collaborating with Engineers
51:20 – Performing Live at Gasworks: "This Is Where I Belong"
Inside Defected Records: Lloyd on Ibiza History, Drumsheds, and Talent Booking
Épisode 90
lundi 12 octobre 2026 • Durée 52:30
In this episode of Provocateurs, Sarah sits down with Lloyd Nwagboso , Head of Talent & Bookings at world-renowned electronic music label Defected Records (and Glitterbox). Lloyd breaks down his extraordinary decade-plus trajectory through the music and events industry—from mechanical engineering student in Leeds to modeling, running iconic club nights, living in Ibiza, and curating massive global festival lineups.
Lloyd reflects on the golden era of nightlife, performing with the Dynamite Hosts alongside Manumission founders Mike and Claire in Ibiza, and co-founding Candy Pants, which became one of Manchester's most lucrative monthly parties. He opens up about the career-altering moment at Burning Man 2011 that sparked his obsession with house music, surviving a severe career breakdown during the pandemic, and relentlessly knocking down the door at Defected Records. Plus, Lloyd shares insights on booking talent across America, Europe, and Asia, selling out 15,000-capacity shows at Drumsheds, and why stepping away from alcohol gave him the clarity to thrive at the top of the music industry.
Key Takeaways
The Early Leeds & Ibiza Days: Transitioning from an engineering degree to modeling and spending a wild season in Ibiza with Manumission.
The Rise of Candy Pants: How a low-overhead monthly event in Manchester generated £40,000 bar spends and launched a national phenomenon.
The Burning Man Epiphany: How a 2011 sunrise set by Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler at Nexus Camp inspired a lifelong obsession with house music.
Overcoming Post-COVID Breakdown: Rebuilding a career from scratch after losing income in Bali, moving home, and securing major modeling contracts to relocate to London.
Persistent Hustle at Defected: Starting with just one day a week at Defected Records to working up to Head of Talent & Bookings.
Scaling Mega-Events & Sobriety: Consistently selling out 15,000-cap events at Drumsheds, expanding Defected Malta, and choosing sobriety for long-term health.
Lloyd Nwagboso
https://www.instagram.com/lloydnwagboso/?hl=en-gb
https://www.instagram.com/defectedrecords/?hl=en-gb
https://defected.com/
Social Links
https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg
00:00 –Introduction
01:12 – Ditching Mechanical Engineering for Leeds Nightlife
03:39 – The Ibiza Manumission Season & Dynamite Hosts
04:27 – Wild Ibiza Stories: Mermaids, DC10 & Mike & Claire
08:00 – How Ibiza's Club Scene Has Evolved Over 20 Years
10:04 – Balancing Legend Talent vs. Emerging Artists at Glitterbox
13:49 – Co-Founding Candy Pants & Manchester's VIP Club Era
16:54 – The Economics of Early 2000s Club Promoting
19:18 – Burning Man 2011: The Life-Changing Seth Troxler & Jamie Jones set
23:05 – Buying Vinyl Decks & "All the Gear, No Idea"
25:08 – Booking Jamie Jones & The Martinez Brothers at West End Clubs
26:11 – Living in Bali, Clothing Brands & Pre-COVID Life
28:04 – Pandemic Career Loss, Mental Health Breakdown & Rebuilding
29:42 – Landing Gillette & Range Rover Campaigns to Fund Move to London
31:43 – Hustling into Defected Records: 1 Day a Week to Head of Talent
33:16 – What Head of Talent & Bookings Means in Practice
36:55 – Defected's 30-Year History & Global Ecosystem
39:16 – Choosing Sobriety & Staying Healthy in the Music Industry
41:52 – Selling Out 15,000 Capacity Shows at Drumsheds London
43:15 – Defected Malta Festival & Expanding into New Global Markets
48:01 – What Success Means Today
The Business of Creative Spaces: Mac on Manchester Co-Working, Special Needs Teaching, and Pride
Épisode 89
lundi 5 octobre 2026 • Durée 01:02:34
In this episode of Provocateurs, Sarah sits down with artist, performer, educator, and entrepreneur Mac (formerly known as adult film star Mickey Taylor). Mac shares how they transitioned out of a seven-year career in the global adult entertainment industry to build thriving creative communities, arts initiatives, and cabaret brands in Manchester.
Mac details the creation of Quac Collective, a affordable co-working art space in Manchester Central built to combat extortionate studio rents, providing 30+ artists daily access to workspace, equipment, and workshops for just £30–£40 a month. Mac also breaks down running unconventional entertainment brands, including naked life drawing classes and fire-breathing, high-energy cabarets. The conversation touches on Mac's experiences working in special educational needs teaching, overcoming workplace revenge porn, managing high-pressure work ethics, and an unfiltered critique of the commercialization of Pride events and modern LGBTQ+ spaces.
Key Takeaways
Building Quac Collective: How Mac built an affordable, multi-use art workspace in Manchester to support bedroom artists priced out of commercial real estate.
Unconventional Cabaret & Life Drawing: Running non-sexual naked life drawing sessions and multi-performer immersive cabaret shows.
Life in Adult Entertainment: Reflecting on a seven-year international career, navigating camera work, and closing that chapter during the pandemic.
Teaching & Workplace Adversity: Transitioning into special needs education, handling workplace revenge porn, and driving student achievement.
Work Ethic & Perfectionism: Why Mac thrives under extreme pressure, demands high professionalism, and channels dopamine into community building.
The Commercialization of Pride: A blunt critique of rising ticket prices, corporate sponsorship overreach, and the economic strain on local queer venues.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:34 – Introducing Quac Collective: Solving Manchester's Art Space Crisis
03:00 – Building Collaborative Co-Working Spaces from Scratch
05:00 – Workshops, Screen Printing & Public Classes
05:46 – Running Naked Life Drawing Classes & Immersive Cabarets
07:03 – Relocating to Manchester & Community Inclusivity
08:23 – Seven Years in Adult Entertainment: Starting at 21
09:27 – Traveling the World & Camera Confidence
11:36 – Closing the Adult Industry Chapter During COVID
16:31 – Working in Special Educational Needs Teaching
18:50 – Overcoming Workplace Revenge Porn & Student Success
21:08 – Moving Beyond Past Labels & Proving Business Authority
22:44 – "F*** Around & Find Out": Drive, Vision & Work Ethic
25:31 – Demanding Professionalism & Supporting Creatives
32:19 – The Corporate Takeover of Pride & Venue Strains
36:16 – The History & Importance of the Pride Vigil
46:29 – Advocating for Trans Rights, Immigration & Education
53:03 – The Necessity of Safe Queer Spaces & Creative Outlets
Mac/Quac Collective links
https://www.instagram.com/quac_collective/
https://www.quacifucan.com/
https://www.instagram.com/itsmickeytaylor/
Social Links
https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
"6-Month Exclusivity Clauses Are KILLING Local Nightlife"—Music Marketer Exposes Industry Greed
Épisode 88
lundi 28 septembre 2026 • Durée 58:03
In this episode of Provocateurs, host sits down with Ben Mason, marketing manager for AMAAD and the team behind major electronic events like Junction 2, Boston Manor, and The Bridge Series. Managing an impressive national portfolio of large-scale spaces—including Ironworks in London, Testbed in Leeds, Prospect Building in Bristol, and Die Kasteel in Brighton—Ben offers an insider look at scaling live events during a challenging economic climate for UK nightlife.
Ben pulls back the curtain on the launch of Ironworks, a limited 7,000-capacity event series situated on the banks of the River Thames in London featuring electronic heavyweights like Jamie Jones, Charlotte de Witte, and Eric Prydz. He explains the strategic decision to run a focused 6-event series to support rather than saturate the local nightlife ecosystem. The conversation dives deep into modern event operations, from their all-female operations team and crisis management protocols to the rise of daytime raves, no-phone policies, and the destructive impact of 6-month regional exclusivity clauses on grassroots music venues.
Key Takeaways
Navigating Large-Scale Venue Expansion: Managing a 93-show autumn/winter season across nationwide venue assets.
Inside Ironworks London: Launching a temporary 7,000-capacity River Thames warehouse space with world-class LBi 20 sound architecture.
Protecting the Music Ecosystem: Why running limited-series pop-ups protects existing venues while providing opportunities for local talent.
The Evolution of Rave Culture: How daytime raves, strict no-phone policies, and 6-hour extended DJ sets are transforming crowd engagement.
Operational & Safety Excellence: Working with independent welfare teams, conducting rigorous crisis-comms training, and utilizing an all-female operations team.
Exposing Exclusivity Clauses: How 6-month, 50-mile artist non-compete clauses imposed by major promoters harm regional music scenes.
00:00 – Welcome: Managing Junction 2, Boston Manor & UK Venue Portfolios
02:40 – Getting on the Tour Bus at 18 & Learning Event Sales on the Ground
04:15 – The Art of Building Authentic Music Communities
06:36 – Planning 93 Shows Across Autumn/Winter Club Season
08:48 – Introducing Ironworks: London's New 7,000-Cap River Thames venue
10:23 – Sound & Production Architecture: Prioritizing Audio Quality
11:43 – Why Ironworks Is Running as a Limited 6-Part Series
14:22 – Spotlighting Emerging DJs Alongside Global Megastars
16:28 – WhatsApp Community Group Chats & Direct Artist-Fan Engagement
20:36 – Demand for Physical Connection in an Online World
22:23 – "No-Phone" Policies & Protecting Ravers from Social Media Judgment
24:54 – The Return of 6-Hour Extended Sets & Fighting Short Attention Spans
00:26:51 – Transforming Industrial Warehouses: Art Installations & History
00:30:46 – Operational Excellence: All-Female Ops Teams & Welfare Integration
32:42 – Crisis Comms Training with Police, Fire & Medical Teams
43:49 – Exposing 6-Month Artist Exclusivity Radius Clauses
48:45 – Taking Calculated Booking Risks & Spotlighting Underground Acts
52:31 – Upcoming Venue Launches: Testbed Leeds & Future Bridge Series
Cage Fights in Abandoned Prisons: How Jordan David Built Coastal Combat Festival by Age 30
Épisode 87
lundi 21 septembre 2026 • Durée 54:45
In this episode of Provocateurs, Sarah sits down with 30-year-old fighter, gym owner, and event creator Jordan David. From stepping into his first MMA cage fight at age 13 after watching Jackie Chan movies to taking over a martial arts gym by 22, Jordan has forged an extraordinary path in combat sports and entertainment.
Jordan breaks down how he transformed a simple beach grappling demonstration into Coastal Combat—a multi-stage festival fusing live MMA cage fights, DJs, and raves. He reveals what it was like hiring an entire abandoned prison (Dorchester Prison) to run cage fights in the main hall alongside underground tunnel raves, as well as the intense bureaucratic battles required to secure the first-ever permanent beach license on Weymouth Beach. Plus, Jordan speaks candidly about his late ADHD diagnosis, why he chose to ditch medication, and how he channels hyperfixation into building a thriving business empire.
Key Takeaway
The Early Combat Journey: Starting Thai boxing at 13 after asking his dad how to beat up ten people, leading to his first cage fight.
Gym Ownership at Age 22: Mentoring under ex-military coach "Uncle Paul" and building a 230+ student community based on safety and inclusion.
The Birth of Coastal Combat: How attending Boardmasters festival sparked the wild idea to merge multi-stage music festivals with live MMA cage fighting.
Raving in Abandoned Prisons: Hiring Dorchester Prison to host cage fights, tunnel raves, and cell-block giant Jenga games.
Navigating Beach Licensing: Facing down police, environmental health, and local dog-walkers to get a permanent event license on Weymouth Beach.
Hacking ADHD: Why Jordan rejected medication to study his dopamine patterns and channel hyperfixation into entrepreneurship.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:02 – Starting Martial Arts at 13 & First Cage Fight
02:25 – The State of Tension: Living in Eight-Week Fight Camps
04:58 – Meeting "Uncle Paul" & Taking Over a Gym at 22
09:44 – Why 99% of Gym Members Aren't Fighters (and That's Okay)
14:02 – Overcoming Childhood Bullying Through Martial Arts
17:35 – The First Beach Demonstration: Flooding Weymouth Beach
20:51 – The Boardmasters Lightbulb Moment: Festival Meets Cage Fights
22:33 – Raving in Dorchester Prison: Tunnel Raves & Cell Block Games
25:39 – Licensing Battles with Police & Council on Weymouth Beach
32:00 – Managing Alcohol & Aggression at a Fight Festival
36:19 – Upbringing, Drive & Lessons from Council House Living
37:34 – Late ADHD Diagnosis & Ditching Medication
40:46 – Dopamine Fixation, Sleep Issues & Relationships
46:13 – Scaling Coastal Combat to Island Clifftops
50:27 – Where to Find Tickets & Upcoming Winter Events
Social Links
https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg
Jordan Links
https://www.instagram.com/jordan.tcl/
https://www.instagram.com/coastalcombatfest/
https://coastalcombatfestival.com/
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
Building Propaganda, DJing for Oasis, and Saving Grassroots Music Venues with DJ Dan
Épisode 86
lundi 14 septembre 2026 • Durée 01:04:05
In this episode of Provocateurs, Sarah sits down with DJ, promoter, and venue owner Dan (DJ Dan). From launching the legendary indie club night Propaganda as a Bristol Uni student with just £400 of his student loan, Dan grew the brand into the UK’s largest weekly club event—attracting over 25,000 ravers across 25+ cities every week.
Dan shares stories from his DJ career, including touring as the official afterparty DJ for Oasis, playing to an empty dancefloor with only Liam Gallagher, and getting scolded by Noel Gallagher over song choices. He also addresses the harsh realities of venue ownership, breaking down what it took to acquire five historic venues (including Camden’s Barfly and XOYO) that were losing £1.5 million annually. From £234k rent bills on 200-capacity rooms to campaigning for a £1 ticket levy, Dan gives an essential breakdown of the UK nightlife ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
The £400 Student Loan Gamble: How Dan turned a student budget into Propaganda, building the UK's biggest indie club night.
Touring with Oasis: Behind-the-scenes stories of playing private afterparties for Liam and Noel Gallagher.
The Reality of Venue Acquisition: Buying a portfolio of 5 distressed venues losing over £1.5M a year and turning them around.
The Grassroots Music Crisis: Why astronomical rents (£234k/year for 200 capacity at Barfly) make small live venues financially unsustainable without structural reform.
The Post-Lockdown Comeback: How younger demographics are returning to live shows and festivals, and what it takes to keep nightlife relevant.
Social Links
https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
From Chart-Topping Hits to Festival Management: Jon Fitz on Longevity, Industry Shifts, and Creative Purpose
Épisode 85
lundi 7 septembre 2026 • Durée 01:02:50
In this unfiltered, deep-dive episode of Provocateurs, Sarah sits down with legendary producer, DJ, and event director Jon Fitz. Spanning a three-decade career that began with picking up an abandoned guitar at age six, Jon breaks down his journey through the high-stakes music industry, playing iconic Ibiza venues like Space and Amnesia, and creating decade-defining anthems like "I Just Can't Get Enough" and "I Like the Way You Move".
Jon pulls back the curtain on the producer's mindset, explaining how studio discipline and creative purpose trump chasing fast money. He delivers a provocative insider breakdown of how drug cultures—from 90s ecstasy to 2000s electro-cocaine and DC-10 ketamine trends—literally sculpted the history of electronic dance music. He also details the decline of traditional late-night superclubs and how he pivoted to build the highly lucrative
Key Takeaways
House & Vocal day festival brand for over-35s. From navigating financial risks in festival promotion to maintaining human connection on the dancefloor, Jon offers an indispensable masterclass in music production, event architecture, and longevity.
The Genesis of a Hitmaker: Picking up a guitar at age six, self-teaching instruments, and transitioning from bands to house music session work.
The Untold Story of "I Just Can't Get Enough": How a track written about getting inebriated in a Manchester club was transformed by labels into a global pop hit—and why it was almost scrapped.
Ibiza’s Golden Era: Playing Space terrace, Eden, Pacha, and Amnesia during the peak years of house music culture.
How Drugs Sculpted Dance Music: An insider breakdown of how drug trends (Ecstasy, Cocaine, Ketamine) directly dictated sound design and track arrangements for specific clubs.
The Death of Late-Night Clubbing: Why younger demographics are shifting away from dark, dingy clubs toward health consciousness, social self-awareness, and daytime events.
Building the "House & Vocal" Brand: Cashing in on day parties for over-35s, managing festival overheads, and approaching event planning from a strict business perspective.
Timestamps
00:00 – intro
01:03 – Finding an Abandoned Guitar at Age 6 & Early Obsession
02:05 – Transitioning from Session Musician to Studio Owner
03:30 – Writing "I Just Can't Get Enough" & "I Like the Way You Move"
05:34 – The Reality Check: Navigating Life After the Hits Stop
09:58 – Origin Story: From Nightclub Track to Pop Sensation
12:01 – Performing Across Ibiza's Golden Era (Space, Amnesia, Pacha)
14:14 – Studio Discipline: Why Thinking About Money Kills Creativity
18:12 – "It Sounded Like Sexy Bitch": Almost Scrapping the Vocal
19:26 – Disposable Culture & The Problem with Modern Music
22:19 – Why Traditional Late-Night Clubbing Is Dying
26:56 – How Drug Trends Sculpted Dance Music History (1990–2020)
28:54 – Engineering Beats for Ketamine Culture & DC-10
32:25 – Launching "House & Vocal": The Over-35s Day Party Boom
41:06 – The Financial Mathematics & Risks of Running Festivals
48:16 – Social Media Fear, Judgement & Preserving Dancefloor Connection
58:14 – Connect with Jon Fitz & Upcoming Classical Shows
Social Links
https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
World Famous DJ Brandon Block Going From Lucky Pub Gig to Ibiza Superclubs!
Épisode 84
jeudi 3 septembre 2026 • Durée 54:05
In this candid, high-energy episode of Provocateurs, Sarah sits down with legendary UK DJ Brandon Block to explore his 40-year journey through the birth and evolution of global dance music culture.
Brandon shares his humble beginnings—starting with a £10 pub residency in Harrow, buying gear from Tandy on hire purchase, and touring in an Escort van—before becoming a staple at world-renowned superclubs like Space Ibiza. He opens up about the toll of constant touring, his pivot into NHS outreach work with complex addiction and mental health cases, and how severe burnout led to his headline-making exit from the Celebrity Big Brother house after just 19 days.
Brandon also breaks down the mental health tools that saved him, from Smart Recovery and Eckhart Tolle's teachings to Wim Hof breathwork and cold-water sea dips on Bournemouth beach. This episode is an unfiltered masterclass in resilience, music history, and overcoming life's hardest triggers.
Key Takeaways
The Evolution of Clubland: From £10 pub gigs and mobile DJ vans to the explosion of the UK Acid House movement and Space Ibiza.
How Dance Music Changed the World: The shift from vinyl to digital, and how 90s club culture built massive festival economies.
NHS Outreach & Burnout: Working on the frontlines of complex addiction, homelessness, and criminality—and the burnout that followed.
The Reality of Celebrity Big Brother: Why the show’s psychologist told Brandon he was putting himself through live therapy on national television.
Smart Recovery & CBT: How understanding brain "cogs" helps stop negative thought loops before they spiral.
Substance Substitution: Replacing drugs with compulsive shopping for watches and cars, and learning to let go of material consumption.
Cold-Water Therapy & Mindfulness: Using Wim Hof breathwork and Bournemouth beach sea dips to maintain mental clarity.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:18 – Starting in 1985: The £10 Pub Residency in Harrow
02:48 – The Acid House Movement & Playing Space Ibiza
04:46 – Buying DJ Gear on Credit & Touring in an Escort Van
07:09 – Learning Northern Soul & Jazz Dancing in School
11:13 – How 90s Dance Culture Forever Changed the Music Industry
14:54 – Quitting Social Media on Phones & Stopping Late Nights
18:04 – Post-COVID Behavior Cycles & How Lockdown Changed Clubbing
27:10 – NHS Outreach Work, Burnout & Going into Celebrity Big Brother
28:12 – Why the Big Brother Psychiatrist Stepped In
31:20 – Smart Recovery: Rewiring Brain Cogs & Thought Loops
33:04 – "I Shouldn't Be Alive": Surviving 90s Addiction
37:03 – Replacing Drugs with Watches, Cars & Material Goods
40:09 – Morning Spin Classes & Bournemouth Beach Ice Dips
46:11 – Living in the Present Moment with Eckhart Tolle & Wim Hof
Brandon Block
https://www.instagram.com/brandonblock/?hl=en
Social Links
https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
"You F***ed Up!"—How I Called Out My CEO & Reclaimed Queer Spaces With Rowen Barr
Épisode 83
vendredi 28 août 2026 • Durée 01:08:46
In this unfiltered, inspiring, and high-energy episode of Provocateurs, host sits down with former primary school teacher turned nightclub General Manager, creative director, and marketing strategist Rowan. Rowan opens up about his fearless trajectory through the UK hospitality sector—from taking over a corporate venue on Deansgate and introducing drag extravaganzas to running door security in four-inch heels.
Rowan shares the pivotal moment he told his CEO "you f***ed up" over venue accessibility, leading to award-nominated design overhauls. He tackles tough industry realities, including challenging biased door-team narratives, adapting to post-COVID nightlife trends, and fighting the growing epidemic of city loneliness. Now freelancing through Rowan Barr Creative, he breaks down how he helped spearhead Manchester Village Pride, restructuring it into an inclusive, community-first movement that slashed headliner costs by £20,000 to invest directly back into local artists. From reclaiming labels and surviving online hate to shedding societal pressures and living authentically, Rowan delivers a powerful masterclass in leadership, inclusion, and creative freedom.
Key Takeaways
From Primary Teaching to Late-Night GM: Balancing full-time university placements with high-volume venue management, and making the bold decision to stay in hospitality.
Calling Out Corporate Execs: Why Rowan challenged his CEO on disabled accessibility, leading to a top-three nomination at the National Diversity & Inclusion Awards.
Re-educating Door Security: Breaking down double standards around male vs. female bag searches and training door teams to maintain safe, inclusive entry policies.
The New Landscape of UK Nightlife: How post-COVID shifts, daytime drinking preferences, and pre-drinking habits are forcing venues to adapt or close.
Spearheading Manchester Village Pride: Transforming Pride back into a community-led movement with lower ticket prices, local stage takeovers, and family-friendly programming.
Living Beyond Societal Pressures: Overcoming online trolls, reclaiming words, writing letters to your younger self, and burning down false timelines.
Rowan Barr Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowan-barr-07b88226a/
https://rowanbarr.com/page/2/
https://www.instagram.com/rowan_barr/
00:00 – Introduction
01:25 – Primary School Teacher Turned Nightclub GM
04:15 – "You F***ed Up": Calling Out Corporate Execs on Disabled Access
09:40 – Diffusing Door Drama: Primark Suits, Eyelashes, and Bouncers
13:50 – Retraining Bouncers & Ending Biased Bag Searches
18:20 – Creative Freedom: Valentine's & Mother's Day Campaign Disruption
23:45 – Going Freelance: Pitching Manchester Village Pride
28:10 – Launching Rowan Barr Creative: Marketing Queer & Non-Queer Brands
32:40 – Day Economy vs. Post-Midnight Crowds: Why Venues Are Closing
37:15 – Online Trolls, Hate Speech, and Flawed Social Media Algorithms
41:30 – Building Manchester Village Pride from Scratch (Cutting Headliner Costs)
46:50 – "Letters to My Younger Self" & Fringe Community Events
50:15 – Fighting City Loneliness & Writing The "Unedited" Blog
54:30 – Reclaiming "Queer" & Coming Out at 14 in a Catholic School
59:10 – Breaking Societal Norms: Living Authentically for Yourself
0102:40 – Addressing Chemsex Stigmas, Drug Taboos & Nightlife Safety
01:05:15 – Final Thoughts: Living Symbiotically Without Hatred
"They Said I Was Crazy!"—Why I Bought 3 Struggling Nightclubs in One Month With James Gordon
Épisode 82
lundi 17 août 2026 • Durée 53:59
In this episode of Provocateurs, host sits down with Bournemouth venue owner and former automotive engineer James Gordon. James caused waves across the UK hospitality scene by taking over three massive nightlife sites—Bournemouth House, Harry’s Lounge, and Bar Coast—in the span of just 30 days.
James breaks down his journey from designing air vents for Jaguar and Ford to stepping into hotel ownership at 26 years old with zero experience and managing nearly 90 staff. He shares how engineering problem-solving helped him survive day-one meltdowns, details his lucrative £6,000-a-room hotel pivot for Jewish Passover, and explains why applying financial day-trading strategies led him to "buy at the bottom" during an industry slump. Plus, James addresses negative media perceptions of coastal town nightlife, female safety initiatives, and how venue collaboration is breathing new life into Christchurch Road.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The 30-Day Multi-Site Takeover: How James acquired three distinct Bournemouth venues in a single month and turned them into a connected nightlife hub.
From Engineering to Hospitality: Applying automotive design problem-solving to broken hotel systems, dead lifts, and day-one operational crises.
The £6,000 Passover Hack: How transforming a hotel to fully kosher standards created a premium ten-day event season.
Buying at the Bottom: Why financial day-trading principles convinced James that UK hospitality's low point offered the highest investment upside.
Community & Safety First: Implementing door-to-car escorts, collaboration with neighboring restaurants, and local business networking to rebuild footfall.
00:00:00 – Intro
00:00:38 – Taking Over 3 Bournemouth Sites in 30 Days
00:03:31 – Working as a Jaguar & Ford Automotive Engineer
00:05:22 – Why Bournemouth? 7 Miles of Sandy Beaches & London Connections
00:06:22 – Day One Hotel Chaos: Broken Tills, Dead Lifts & Phone Crashes 00:09:15 – Managing 90 Staff at 26 Years Old With Zero Experience 00:11:47 – The £2.68/Hour Youth Apprenticeship Program
00:14:09 – Kosher Hospitality: The £6,000-a-Room Passover Hack 00:15:35 – Sliding Scrolls of the Law Out the Back of a 4x4
00:22:06 – Zero Food Cost Business Models: Running Fasting Bootcamps
00:24:44 – The "Eric" Note Trick: How to Remember Every Customer's Name
00:28:16 – Leaving Day Trading Gold to Buy Hospitality "At the Bottom"
00:31:29 – Addressing Bad Press & Perception of Bournemouth Nightlife
00:35:02 – Sitting Down With Balaclava-Wearing Delivery Drivers
00:38:18 – Female Safety: Walking Drunk Clubgoers Home Safely
00:44:07 – Local Restaurant Collaborations on Christchurch Road 00:49:11 – Where to Find James Corden Online & AI Business Tech
James Gordon Links
https://bomohouse.co.uk/
https://harrys-lounge.co.uk/
https://barcoast.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/james_gordon_lifestyle/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-gordon-sandrock/
Social Links
https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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