Meet The 53 Degrees Team
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Here at 53 Degrees we are a small, dedicated and passionate team of individuals. We are probably best described as a diverse bunch,
with a range of industry experience, a mix of personal tastes and varying interests, but together we work tirelessly to make 53 Degrees
the greatest Venue it can be.
So if you are interested in working in events, want to know who to contact for what or generally want to have a nosey………............
Then keep reading and get ready, because this is your chance to meet the team!
NAME: David Evans / ROLE: Event Programmer / CONTACT: djevans@uclan.ac.uk
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
In terms of booking probably a show I called 'Best Kept Secret' with Adele headling supported by Jack Penate back in Sept 2006 - I'd woken stupidly early as usual and heard Adele on Reggie Yates show, I spent the morning tracking her down - got a message back from Reggie pointing me to her agent Lucy as at the time she was newly signed but had nothing out. Everything just sort of fell into place with all parties up for the show. So it was nice to see something coming together.
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
Probably the very early shows I booked with Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses and The Charlatans in a 200 cap Arts Centre - the latter being a supposed favourite of the bands as it was on the night they got signed. Im not a huge fan of large shows - the more intimate the better for me. Also many other proud moments setting up Feel with Tim & George and remembering the most amazing atmosphere of ' the amphitheatre' (old Students Union) - must have been the water!
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
....er Cheese
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
Omniscience
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Probably David Bowie lol
6: What was the first album you bought?
Motown Gold
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
The early Velvet Underground (obvs not dead)
8: Cat or Dog?
Have you ever smelt cat wee - dogs all the way please!
9: Mac or PC?
Both at once
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
North West Chess Champion aged 9 ?
NAME: Luke Fitzmaurice / ROLE: Events Operations Manager / CONTACT:
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
Erm... sorry, only just started here so ask me again in 3months!
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
I'm a big lover of Glastonbury and all it has to offer, from big stages to far-flung fields... but the best gig I ever went to was The Raconteurs at Hammersmith Apollo which was a surprise for my then girlfriend (and now wife) - definitely the greatest 'super group' ever IMHO
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Tuna and sweetcorn... or CBLT
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
Flight obviously
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A doctor initially, then when I was doing my A-Levels I decided I wanted to be a fat Scottish heavy drinking & smoking Forensic Psychologist called Cracker (off the telly)
6: What was the first album you bought?
Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
Joy Division
8: Cat or Dog?
Dog
9: Mac or PC?
PC (Mac really though...)
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
In the early stages of my booking career I did a secret gig with Elvis Costello that was so secret I didn't know he was playing and when he turned up the only dressing room I had left was quite literally, the cleaners cupboard, so he warmed-up and tuned his acoustic guitar amongst the mops & buckets of Liverpool Students' Union cleaning storeroom.
NAME: Jon Russ / ROLE: Bars and Catering Manager / CONTACT: jruss@uclan.ac.uk
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
Any of the Freshers Skoolies - always rammed, always fun and always messy
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
Radio 1 – Big Weekend on Moor Park – Loads of Great bands and only a 5 minute stumble home.
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Bacon, Sausage, Fried Egg and Brown Sauce
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
Being able to mute annoying people instantly.
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Astronaut
6: What was the first album you bought?
The Verve – Urban Hymns
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
Freddy Mercury
8: Cat or Dog?
Dog
9: Mac or PC?
PC
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
I can play most Brass instruments, not very well mind!
NAME: Charlotte Upton / ROLE: Ticketing and Finance Co-ordinator / CONTACT: mailto:cuptn@uclan.ac.uk / TWITTER: 53_BoxOffice
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
The Gossip. Beth Ditto was immense! The atmosphere that night was amazing and it was fab to share it with great friends.
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
V-Fest 2010. Sun+ Live Music+ BBQ’s+ Mates+ Beer+ Tour hat= Best fest.
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Scooby snack is the ultimate sandwich!
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
I know it’s predictable but it would have to be, to fly. Or a little less predictable, breath under water.
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Professional Skier
6: What was the first album you bought?
OMG I think it must have been the 1st Spice Girls album.
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
Michael Jackson
8: Cat or Dog?
Dog
9: Mac or PC?
Mac- Standard!
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
I play National League hockey, oh and I can pick things up and throw things with my toes.
NAME: Victoria Brokenshire / ROLE: Events Co-ordinator / CONTACT: vlyth@uclan.ac.uk / TWITTER: 53_events_vic
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
Vintage Trouble. I had been looking forward to seeing them for ages since their Jools Holland performance and the live show did not disappoint. They are also fantastic people who really appreciate and made time to meet and chat with their fans after the show which is always nice to see.
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
Flaming Lips at Jodrell Bank Live was an unbelievable event, from the confetti, lasers and wonderful sounds coming from the stage to the full size video projection on the gigantic satellite dish.
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Sandwiches are man’s greatest invention. My favourite ever was a hot salt-beef sandwich from The Nosh Bar in Soho.
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
I would like to be Karl Pilkington’s superhero sidekick (Bullshit Man) and travel the country stamping out bullshit.
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be Dian Fossey.
6: What was the first album you bought?
I think it was Salt & Pepas Greatest Hits (on cassette, from Woolworths)
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
Queen with Freddie
8: Cat or Dog?
Dog
9: Mac or PC?
PC
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
I once served the Queen a cup of tea!
NAME: Victoria Johnson / ROLE: Digital Creative Co-ordinator / CONTACT: vljohnson@uclan.ac.uk
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
As a punter I absolutely loved, Kasabian, Cooper Temple Clause and The Music, all amazing bands. Since working at 53, I would have to say Micky Flannagan, who is one of the nicest men I have ever met and all he required was a brew and an iron. More recently Vintage Trouble were incredible, it was an intimate gig, high energy and amazing atmosphere. Some serious shapes were made that night!
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
Leeds Festival 2004, first fest, best fest, you never forget it…….well if you can remember it that is! I’d also have to say The Irrepressibles at Hackney Round house, twas a very arty gig, a mad mixture of performance, dance and experimental visuals. Half the band hung from the ceiling by rope and still managed to play the violin, very impressive skills.
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Ok this is a serious question, it need some real thinking through. Perhaps a ham, cheese, wholegrain mustard, rocket, ciabatta combo…..yes that would do nicely, oh hold on what about the toasted sandwich….right I’ll get back to you.
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
Omni-linguism (The natural ability to have skills and knowledge without learning, or positive laziness as I like to call it)
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A ballerina or an artist, this one I am still working on.
6: What was the first album you bought?
It was either Björk – ‘Post’ or Oasis - ‘What’s the story morning glory’ both superb.
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
In no particular order: James Brown / Jonny Cash / Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix.
8: Cat or Dog?
Cat, sinister and independent, what’s not to like.
9: Mac or PC?
Mac….superior in everyway and those who say different are idiots.
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
I was forced to perform a celebratory Millennium dance live on Songs of Praise; I imagine it was exactly what Jesus wanted for his birthday. To make things worse I had to do the dance again on PNE’s pitch at half time, in front of a bemused and angry crowd, I still get flash backs.
I also installed a piece of artwork by Yoko Ono, I met her and her posse, they were all wearing black polo necks and walking in a terrifyingly straight line, very odd indeed.
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NAME: Dave Weeks / ROLE: Production Co-ordinator / CONTACT: dweeks@uclanac.uk / TWITTER: 53_Production
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
Must be Annie Mac - due to amazing timing and a bit of budget we were able to spend a day doing an awesome stage layout with Annie Mac in the centre - with most shows time and money is precious so your creative side doesn't always get to come out!
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
Must be The King Blues at Manchester Academy - fantastic band, amazing stage presence.
At 53 Degrees it must be Pendulum when they did their live show. Bass that melted your face. And Darkcide is an amazing night out, great tunes, lovely people.
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Ham and Cheese. Ooh, or Bacon and cheese. Something with cheese.
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
The ability to fly - it would make reaching the tall parts of this building so much easier!
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A television cameraman - then discovered the rock and roll lifestyle - much more exciting!
6: What was the first album you bought?
Oasis - Morning Glory
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!) Michael Jackson would have been amazing - one of those were you never expected him to die so young, so never fought to get tickets.
8: Cat or Dog?
Cats definitely. Not only much better behaved but they're like animal hoovers! Cuts down on the cleaning. I had one which loved Pringles.
9: Mac or PC? Mac. All the way. Shiny Shiny!
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
I was on Playdays/Playschool when I was younger. I mostly sat about at a picnic picking my nose from what I remember. Met Peggy Patch though. Guess thats where I got a taste for working with celebs?
NAME: Emily Street / ROLE: Production Assistant / CONTACT: estreet@uclan.ac.uk
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
There’s a few but one that stands out is Martyn Joseph in the club as it was a laid back but very entertaining gig, and was a pleasure to work.
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
Blondie at The Manchester Apollo, as I thought I’d never get the chance to see them so it meant a lot.
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Chicken
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
Flying
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A police officer, then decided I wanted to be a musician instead
6: What was the first album you bought?
Embarrassingly I think it was either Be-witched or Boyzone
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
Queen
8: Cat or Dog?
Dog
9: Mac or PC?
I’m a PC but I wish I was a mac
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
I like to dance, and used to go to street dance classes
NAME: Matthew Smith / ROLE: Venue Co-ordinator / CONTACT: mailto:mjsmith1@uclan.ac.uk
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
Christmas isn’t Christmas without the Lancashire Hotpots Christmas show.
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
Ocean Colour Scene a few years ago. I was immediately transported back to the heady days of my youth!
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Meat. Lots of meat.
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
The ability to treat life like Sky Plus – pause, rewind, fast forward. I never seem to have enough time at the right time.
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A policeman. Or a famous actor. Or maybe one as a day job and one at weekends.
6: What was the first album you bought?
Bat out of Hell 2. Don’t judge me.
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
Nobody, but nobody, put on a show like Queen.
8: Cat or Dog?
Dog
9: Mac or PC?
PC
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
I went to University to study Drama darling!
NAME: Mike Nutter / ROLE: Bars Co-ordinator / CONTACT: mnutter@uclan.ac.uk
1: What has been your favourite event at 53 Degrees and why?
Vintage Trouble cz they blew the roof off of the place and I loved their energy and enthusiasm
2. What is the best event/gig/festival you have been too and why?
Leeds festival 2004 because it was my first ever festival and I loved every minute of it.
3. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
I’m a standard chicken mayo or tuna salad cream kinda guy but recently iv been eating far too much subway so have to say meatball marinara with south west sauce yum yum!
4: If you were a superhero what would be your super power?
My super power would be to become the human torch (set on fire not look like a lighthouse).
5: What did you want to be when you grew up?
I actually wanted to be a thunderbird up until the age of 7 so I guess that was always my biggest aspiration
6: What was the first album you bought?
If I remember rightly it was the vengaboys haha! Not the most embarrassing CD I ever bought but im not sure I should release such embracing information.
7: Which act do you wish you had seen? (eg dead!)
I wish I had seen the Blue Oyster Cult and even though they are still around im just not that sure I will ever get the chance to see them.
8: Cat or Dog?
Dog
9: Mac or PC?
PC but recently been playing with my girlfriends Mac and I am slowly getting converted.
10: Tell me something I wouldn’t know about you?
hmm… this is a difficult one… ahh I know, in 2005 I holidayed with Paolo Nutini exactly one year before he became famous.