FREELANCE LIVE MUSIC & EVENTS PROGRAMMER

Mint XL - Leeds, UK
Freelance / Flexible
Salary/Pay: Competitive - to be discussed based on experience and working arrangement

MINT XL

Mint XL is a brand-new 2,500-capacity multi-room venue in the heart of Leeds, created to host an ambitious programme of live music, club events, touring shows, entertainment concepts, private hires and special events.

The venue consists of three distinct spaces:

Ballroom - 1,500 capacity
Cage - 500 capacity
Club - 500 capacity

As we develop the venue's programme, we're looking for an experienced and well-connected Freelance Live Music & Events Programmer to work alongside our existing team and help shape the next chapter of Mint XL.

THE ROLE

You'll take a leading role in developing Mint XL's live music and alternative events programme, identifying artists, promoters, touring shows, event concepts and partnerships that can bring new audiences into the venue.

We're looking for someone who understands both the creative and commercial sides of venue programming - someone who can spot opportunities, build relationships and turn ideas into successful events.

Programming opportunities could include:

• Live music and touring artists

• Emerging and breakthrough talent

• Independent and national promoters

• Touring event brands

• Comedy and entertainment

• Interactive entertainment concepts

• Competitive social events

• Student and university events

• Private and corporate events

• Brand activations

• Cultural and community events

• New and emerging event formats

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Working closely with the existing Mint XL management, marketing, production and operations teams, you'll:

• Develop a forward-thinking live and events programming strategy.

• Identify and approach artists, agents, managers and promoters.

• Source touring shows and event concepts suitable for our 500-1,500 capacity spaces.

• Develop relationships with independent and national promoters.

• Identify emerging artists and concepts with growth potential.

• Negotiate artist and promoter deals within agreed budgets.

• Produce and assess event budgets and forecasts.

• Monitor ticket sales and overall event performance.

• Identify opportunities for private hire, corporate events and brand partnerships.

• Develop repeatable event concepts and long-term partnerships.

• Maintain a strong pipeline of future programming opportunities.

• Coordinate announcements and on-sales alongside the Mint XL marketing team.

• Work with production and operations to ensure events are successfully delivered.

• Stay closely connected to what's happening across Leeds, Yorkshire and the wider UK live entertainment market.

Ultimately, we're looking for someone who can open doors, build relationships and bring great opportunities into the venue.

ABOUT YOU

You may currently work as a:

Venue Programmer / Live Music Booker / Talent Buyer / Independent Promoter / Artist Booker / Events Programmer

We're much more interested in your network, experience and track record than your current job title.

Ideally, you'll have:

• Proven experience booking or promoting live music and events.

• Strong relationships with agents, promoters, managers and other industry professionals.

• A strong understanding of the UK live music and touring market.

• Knowledge of Leeds and the wider Northern live entertainment landscape.

• Experience negotiating artist and promoter deals.

• A commercial understanding of event budgets, ticket sales and venue economics.

• An instinct for identifying emerging artists, promoters and event concepts.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• An entrepreneurial and proactive approach.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This isn't about inheriting an established live calendar.

It's an opportunity to help build one from the ground up.

With 500-capacity spaces alongside a 1,500-capacity Ballroom, Mint XL provides an opportunity to develop relationships with artists, promoters and event concepts at different stages of their growth.

We want to work alongside Leeds' existing music and cultural ecosystem while bringing new artists, touring shows, promoters and entertainment concepts into the city.

For the right person, there is significant scope for the relationship and role to grow alongside the Mint XL programme.

FREELANCE ARRANGEMENT

This is a freelance position, designed to offer flexibility around the successful candidate's existing commitments.

Salary/Pay is competitive and will be discussed based on experience and the proposed working arrangement.

We're open to discussing the most appropriate structure with the successful candidate, whether that's an agreed monthly freelance arrangement, project-based structure or another approach that works for both parties.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send us:

• Your CV or a short overview of your experience.

• Examples of artists, shows, venues or events you've personally worked on.

• Examples of events you've booked or promoted.

• Any relevant agency, promoter or industry relationships you'd like to highlight.

• Your current freelance availability.

• Your preferred working arrangement / freelance fee.

And we'd particularly like to know:

If you were programming Mint XL, what three artists, promoters, touring shows or event concepts would you currently be looking to bring to the venue - and why?

We're interested in hearing from both established industry professionals and ambitious independent bookers and promoters looking for an opportunity to help shape a major new venue.

Applications and conversations will be treated confidentially.

>>> Click on Apply Now to be taken to the application page