Giggs Podcast

Giggs
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

The Giggs Podcast, hosted by Nikki Sanz, Founder & CEO of Giggs, the professional career platform for the live event industry, dives into the world of touring and live events to share the good, the bad, the ugly, and the unbelievable moments of gigging life, along with invaluable lessons learned on the road.We’re here to fill the gap in content about what it truly takes to work on the road. Our episodes explore every discipline within the live event industry, showcasing big wins, hard-learned lessons, and everything in between. We honor the pioneers of this industry, offering invaluable insights from the older generations who shaped modern touring.Whether you’re an aspiring tour manager, a seasoned backline tech, or just passionate about the live event scene, this podcast is for you. Join us as we take you behind the scenes to explore the highs and lows of gigging life.

  1. #62 Ryan Maag | The Creative Director Who Choreographed the Olympics

    6d ago

    #62 Ryan Maag | The Creative Director Who Choreographed the Olympics

    Ryan Maag started as a backup dancer on the Weird Al Yankovic tour in 1998 and figured out fast that the person choreographing makes more than the person performing. Twenty-something years later, he's been creative director for NFL halftime shows on two continents, the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and the D-Day ceremonies in Normandy, France — shaking hands with five-star generals and the President of the United States and quietly asking himself how a kid from Philadelphia got here. Now he runs TSP Creative in Nashville — an artist development ecosystem he calls "zero to Coldplay." TSP works with emerging artists from before they've released a single song, building identity, brand, staging, performance coaching, and creative direction from the ground up alongside his business partner, Sooner Routhier and her company, The Playground. This conversation covers the full arc — what a creative director actually does, why the music industry has inverted (brand before music now), how to know if an artist has what it takes, and why AI is a looping machine, not a replacement. What you'll learn: Why creative direction comes from the stage up, not the lighting board downHow the music industry has flipped — and why brand identity now comes before musicThe scope process TSP uses to evaluate and develop emerging artistsWhat the end goal question reveals about whether an artist is readyWhy a good creative director works with vulnerability, not around itHow Ryan thinks about AI as a creative tool (input, not output)What separates a stadium artist from an arena artist — and why it mattersSponsor: Musicians On Call is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a MOC volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Ryan Maag bio: President, Creative Director, & Choreographer — TSP Creative A born performer with roots in dance, theater, and stage productions, he refined his craft through studies in music, entertainment, and business at Temple University, Drexel University, and New York University. His career has spanned global stages, performing alongside A-list artists before transitioning into choreography and large-scale production design. As the founder of a choreography and creative production company, his work has ranged from intimate theater performances to international events, including the Olympic ceremonies. An accomplished dancer, vocalist, and actor, he now leads TSP Creative with a vision shaped by both artistry and experience. His passion lies in empowering artists, building brands, and designing immersive live experiences that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

    1h 4m
  2. #61 Neville Shende | What Prince Taught a Bus Driver about 5-Star Service

    May 26

    #61 Neville Shende | What Prince Taught a Bus Driver about 5-Star Service

    Neville Shende — known on the road as NELVIS — has spent more than 40 years in the concert touring world. He started as a guitarist and guitar tech in Winnipeg, stumbled into bus driving on a 9/11-disrupted Aerosmith run, and spent the next four decades driving for some of the most iconic artists in the world: Prince, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Black Sabbath, Shakira, Ronnie James Dio, Papa Roach, Disturbed, and many more. This one is full of stories. Prince skipping soundcheck to look at a lake, a secret code system developed for a 975-mile run, the convection oven bought at midnight from a Best Buy, the Elvis plate that became an early test, and the only person on the Musicology Tour who never signed an NDA. But it's also a masterclass in what elite service actually looks like: doing your homework before every city, reading the room, decorating the bus like a five-star hotel, and folding toilet paper with a gold dot. Neville now serves as Fleet and Driver Operations Manager and Director of Tour Relations, and runs CDL Platinum — a 30-day training program built to bring commercial drivers into concert touring at the right level. What you'll learn: How Neville's CDL saved on the side of the road during an Aerosmith tour became a 40-year careerWhy Prince rode the bus instead of private planes — and what that meant for the driverThe philosophy of five-star service from behind the wheelWhy Neville hires for character over experience every timeHow to read the room at every level — artist, crew, venue, and road familyWhat the F.U.E.L. and G.R.E.A.T. frameworks actually mean in practiceThe off-ramp for experienced commercial drivers who want to get into touringBook and course: Pick up Neville's book — The Entertainer Bus Driver: An Inside Look: Concert Tour Transportation — and his onboarding courses at https://cdlplatinum.com/ Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Neville Shende bio: Neville Drew Shende, born May 10, 1961, in Winnipeg, is a 40+ year transportation veteran and respected figure in the concert touring industry. After moving to the United States in 1998 to pursue his music career, he built a unique path from guitarist and guitar technician to elite entertainer coach driver and industry leader. Known as "NELVIS," Neville has worked with some of the world's most iconic artists, including Prince, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Black Sabbath, Papa Roach, Shakira, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Disturbed, and the list goes on. His professionalism, discretion, and commitment to excellence have made him a trusted presence in the music industry. Neville has advanced into leadership roles including Fleet and Driver Operations Manager and Director of Tour Relations for a leading Nashville-based entertainer transportation company. He is also the founder of CDL Platinum, a 30-day commercial driver lifestyle transformation program built on his F.U.E.L. principles: Focus, Uplift, Energy, and Leverage — designed to help drivers become G.R.E.A.T.: Good, Reliable, Energetic, Accountable, and Trustworthy. Driven by passion and powered by purpose, Neville elevates and educates drivers to their highest level. He is also the author of a published book titled The Entertainer Bus Driver: An Inside Look: Concert Tour Transportation, available on Amazon and Audible. With a deep passion for music, service, and personal growth (Kaizen), Neville continues to inspire drivers and industry professionals to elevate their performance and live with purpose both on and off the road. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

    1h 14m
  3. #60 Mandi Naylor | Feeding Thousands at the NFL Draft, Super Bowl, & Bonnaroo

    May 19

    #60 Mandi Naylor | Feeding Thousands at the NFL Draft, Super Bowl, & Bonnaroo

    Mandi Naylor has spent over a decade running food and beverage at some of the biggest events in the country — the NFL Draft, the Super Bowl, Bonnaroo, ACL, Lollapalooza, CMA Fest, KAABOO, and the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. She's managed catering for commissioners, artists, and crews of thousands. Now she leads events for the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce in Tennessee. This conversation gets into what catering actually looks like at scale: feeding thousands of people three to four meals a day for a month at the NFL Draft, donating thousands of pounds of leftover food, and running the ice and water operation that nourishes every department on site. Mandi — better known as Festy Mom (#festymom) to anyone who's worked with her — also gets honest about coming off the road after a health scare, raising two kids while traveling, and why catering is one of the best places in this industry to start a career. What you'll learn: Why the NFL Draft is harder than the Super BowlHow to spot a catering hire who's actually going to make itWhat it really costs to feed thousands of people across a month-long buildWhy decor, A/C, and music in the catering tent aren't extras — they're the jobThe mental load of catering: small talk, performance, and being the only place crew can decompressHow to advance F&B numbers when half the departments forget to send theirs inMom guilt, the road, and knowing when it's time to come homeSponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Mandi Naylor bio: Mandi Naylor is an experienced event professional with more than a decade of leadership in large-scale festivals, national sporting events, and community-driven productions. She currently serves as Event Manager for the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, where she leads the planning and execution of events that support local business growth, community engagement, and regional visibility. Mandi's background spans some of the country's most high-profile events, including the NFL Draft, Super Bowl, NASCAR Chicago Street Race, and major music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, CMA and Austin City Limits. Her expertise includes food and beverage management, credentialing, site operations, logistics coordination, and vendor management—often overseeing complex, multi-layered event environments with thousands of attendees. Throughout her career, she has held key leadership roles including Catering Manager, Beverage Manager, Credential Manager, and Accreditation Inventory Manager. She is known for her ability to manage large teams, streamline operations, and deliver exceptional guest experiences under high-pressure conditions. Mandi holds a degree in Organizational Communication from Middle Tennessee State University, where she focused on employee communication, special events, and fundraising. She combines her strong organizational skills with a passion for creating memorable, impactful events that bring people together. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

    1h 2m
  4. Giggs Rewind: Rachael Bronstein | Managing Money on the Move

    May 12

    Giggs Rewind: Rachael Bronstein | Managing Money on the Move

    We're bringing back one of the most practical conversations from the Giggs archive. Nikki Sanz sits down with Rachael Bronstein, founder of Life's Jam — a financial coaching service built specifically for the touring and live events community. 70% of music industry professionals are freelancers. Just under half report feeling financially anxious or stressed. Rachael has spent the last few years building the resources most of this industry never had — coaching tour managers, road crew, and music professionals through the unique financial chaos of feast-and-famine income, 1099 tax surprises, and the lack of a safety net most W2 jobs come with. This episode gets into the actual mechanics: how to handle 1099 tax planning, when to set up an LLC (and when not to), how to build an emergency fund big enough to handle the off-season, what order to put your money in (debt, retirement, brokerage), and why mental health and financial health are more interlaced than most people realize. What you'll learn: Why financial coaching is different from financial advising — and why most touring pros need the coach firstHow to plan for taxes when you're paid as a 1099 freelancerThe pyramid approach to where your next dollar should goWhy MusiCares now subsidizes coaching for industry pros who qualifyHow to use credit cards strategically (and when to cut them up)Why "spend less than you make" is still the simplest financial wisdom there isHow to build a plan that handles both the tour high and the off-season lowSponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

    49 min
  5. #59 Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald | Rigging Beyoncé's & Post Malone's World Tours

    May 5

    #59 Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald | Rigging Beyoncé's & Post Malone's World Tours

    Recorded live at Rock Lititz, Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald is back by popular demand after his previous episode (#19) became one of the most-DM'd conversations we've ever put out. One year later, Fitz comes back with a year on the road that includes Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter, Post Malone's world tour, Playboi Carti, and a set up in New Orleans during the city's biggest snowstorm in 55 years. Fitz gets into what it was like joining a Beyoncé rigging team full of legends he watched as a 19-year-old stagehand, the mental upheaval of jumping camps tour after tour, and why sometimes the job means people stressed out crying in the corner 20 minutes before showtime but knowing you made it happen. He also gets technical in a way that's accessible: snow load, dynamic load, why a 101,653-pound show isn't always a 101,653-pound show, and why riggers carry legal liability most fans never think about. What you'll learn: What it's like to logistically pull off Cowboy CarterWhy mentor relationships are the currency of a rigging careerHow dynamic load and snow load can quietly threaten a showThe real mental health cost of going from camp to camp without a breakWhy riggers are "the bad guys" — and why that's a good thingThe two golden rules of rigging (and which one matters more)How memorizing your rig changes everything about how you problem-solve under pressureSponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald bio: Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a tour rigger from Washington, DC, with deep roots in IATSE Local 22 and a foundation built across stagehand work, permanent installs, counterweight rigging, Vectorworks drafting, and the full breadth of touring production. Over the last year, he's worked as a production rigger for Playboi Carti, Post Malone, and Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour — joining a rigging team led by industry legends he watched as a 19-year-old stagehand. He's also crossed into creative production and one-off events, including a high-profile New Orleans gig that ran headfirst into the city's biggest snowstorm in 55 years. Fitz is a vocal advocate for mentorship, safety culture, and giving credit to the local rigging crews who keep this industry standing — literally. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

    42 min
  6. Giggs Rewind: Marty Hom | Tour Managing Legends… Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Shakira, Olivia Rodrigo

    Apr 28

    Giggs Rewind: Marty Hom | Tour Managing Legends… Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Shakira, Olivia Rodrigo

    We're bringing back one of the most popular conversations from the Giggs archive. Nikki Sanz sits down with Marty Hom — a true legend of the touring world with 40+ years of experience tour managing The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Fleetwood Mac, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Nicks, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Van Halen, Olivia Rodrigo, Lionel Richie, and more. Marty started with Bill Withers in 1985 as one of the only Asian Americans in the industry. Four decades later, he's the guy making $150,000 calls in a control room during a Beyoncé stadium evacuation, canceling a sold-out Shakira show over a buckled stage roof, and staffing Olivia Rodrigo's world tour with a 49% female crew. This one is full of stories, hard-won wisdom, and real talk about what it takes to build a career, and a life, on the road. What you'll learn: How Marty got his first tour management gig with Bill Withers — and how his early mentor Howard Kaufman shaped his whole philosophyThe Beyoncé Renaissance Tour evacuation and the $150K decision made in a control roomWhy he canceled a 60,000-person Shakira show in Romania over a buckled stageHow touring has changed from pay phones and binders to today's massive productionsThe real challenge of work-life balance in a 40-year touring careerWhy work ethic and attitude beat experience every time when hiring crewHow the industry is (slowly) becoming more diverse — and why representation on tour mattersMarty's push for healthcare access for touring professionalsFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

    1h 1m
  7. #58 Doug Wilson | From Van Driver to Tour Director

    Apr 21

    #58 Doug Wilson | From Van Driver to Tour Director

    Recorded live at Rock Lititz, Nikki Sanz sits down with Doug Wilson — long-time tour manager and Director of Touring — for a grounded, honest look at what 20 years on the road teaches you. Doug's path started with a chance encounter with a tour manager in catering in Glasgow, Scotland. He bought a Sprinter van, converted it with his dad, and four months later was on his first US tour. From there: bus tours, arenas, eight years with Half Moon Run, world tours with Fletcher, and a final show that ended on March 11, 2020 — one day before the world shut down. Then he talks about his transition off the road, in LA, running touring and production for Black Ink Presents, a Sony Music Masterworks company that builds IP-based concert experiences (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Ghostbusters, La La Land, Batman). This one gets real about perfectionism, the pressure of being the person who says no, the "off-ramp" problem for tour managers, and why getting off the road feels a little like kicking an addiction. What you'll learn: How to break in when you don't have a technical discipline (audio, lights, etc.)Why chasing perfection is the biggest mistake new TMs makeHow to grow with an artist from clubs to arenas — and what separates the crew that makes it from the crew that gets replacedThe hidden financial tradeoffs tour managers navigate when artists level upWhy lack of understanding of other people's jobs causes more tour drama than anything elseWhat the tour director role actually looks like — and why more management companies are building it in-houseHow to plan an off-ramp from touring before the window closesListen, follow, and leave a review if this one hits. Episode Sponsor: RoadCase has given Giggs listeners a free month of RoadCase Pro. Head over to https://roadcase.app/giggs for an exclusive discount. Doug Wilson Bio: Doug Wilson is a highly respected music industry professional with extensive experience in touring, concert production, and artist management. Having spent nearly 20 years on the road as a Tour Manager, Doug then transitioned to Director of Touring and Production at Black Ink Presents, a Sony Music Masterworks live event production company. Originally from Scotland, Doug now lives and works in Los Angeles, but still spends time on the road traveling to oversee events and check in on touring productions. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

    31 min
  8. #57 The Future of Virtual Production | Kingfisher by LEO Events

    Apr 7

    #57 The Future of Virtual Production | Kingfisher by LEO Events

    Recorded in Nashville, TN, this special docuseries episode of The Giggs Podcast steps inside Kingfisher Production Studio, the new virtual production offering from LEO Events. Nikki Sanz walks through the space and talks with the team behind it to see how virtual worlds are built, lit, filmed, and finished. This episode is worth your time if you work in production, post, creative, live events, or brand storytelling and want to understand what virtual production actually takes. The team breaks down how Unreal Engine, motion tracking, lighting, editorial planning, and post all work together to create worlds that feel real on camera. You’ll also hear why this kind of studio can open new options for corporate shoots, music content, branded storytelling, and location-based concepts without the same travel, permitting, and logistics challenges of a traditional shoot. We highly recommend watching this one on video on either Spotify or YouTube for the full episode experience. What you’ll learn: How Kingfisher uses virtual production to build believable environmentsWhy lighting and motion tracking matter as much as the digital world itselfHow Unreal Engine fits into the production pipelineWhat post-production teams receive after a virtual shootWhy pre-production planning still matters in a “limitless” environmentHow this workflow can save time, travel, and location costsWhat kinds of skills help people thrive in studio, animation, and editorial rolesAbout Kingfisher: Kingfisher by LEO Events is a virtual production studio based in Nashville, Tennessee, built to help brands, creators, and clients tell stories in flexible digital environments.  In this episode, Nikki Sanz talks with members of the team behind the space, including Stacey Ladd, Sr. Director of Media Production, Brett Clark, Director of Studio & Editorial, Tyler Montanino, Video Production Specialist, Matt Dimodica, Senior Media Animator, and Josh Ickes, Senior Editor. Together, they walk through how Kingfisher blends creative development, lighting, motion tracking, Unreal Engine, and post-production to turn ideas into polished visual stories. To learn more about the Kingfisher Production Studio and LEO Events, visit https://leoevents.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kingfisher.made and https://www.instagram.com/leoevents/ Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

    46 min
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About

The Giggs Podcast, hosted by Nikki Sanz, Founder & CEO of Giggs, the professional career platform for the live event industry, dives into the world of touring and live events to share the good, the bad, the ugly, and the unbelievable moments of gigging life, along with invaluable lessons learned on the road.We’re here to fill the gap in content about what it truly takes to work on the road. Our episodes explore every discipline within the live event industry, showcasing big wins, hard-learned lessons, and everything in between. We honor the pioneers of this industry, offering invaluable insights from the older generations who shaped modern touring.Whether you’re an aspiring tour manager, a seasoned backline tech, or just passionate about the live event scene, this podcast is for you. Join us as we take you behind the scenes to explore the highs and lows of gigging life.

Information

  • Creator
    Giggs
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Giggs Podcast
  • Show Website
    Giggs Podcast

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