Mike Walsh joins From the Fields as Development Director

The ex-Head of Music of Radio X joins the Manchester-based promoters behind bluedot and Kendal Calling

From the Fields have announced Mike Walsh will be joining the promoters, as Development Director of their UK portfolio. As part of the management of XFM (later Radio X) since 2005, Walsh was instrumental in the station’s growth and establishment as one of the key brands for emerging new music in the UK.

“Mike joins us at a very exciting time for the development of From the Fields”, said company director Ben Robinson. “Mike’s commitment to the music scene is second to none and his incredible aptitude for discovering new music and developing brands will be well served in his new role.”

A Mercury Prize judge for the past three years, Walsh has been a highly-respected figure in the music industry for over two decades. His reputation for breaking emerging talent has seen him promote some of the world’s biggest artists from their first releases, and he has staged concerts for the likes of Florence & The Machine, Noel Gallagher and Mumford and Sons.

Walsh said: “I am delighted to say that I will be taking up my new position as Development Director at From The Fields on Mon March 16th. I have been a friend and admirer of Andy Smith and Ben Robinson since they started the company 15 years ago. They are, with their brilliant team of Emma Zillmann (Programming Director), Will Orchard (Marketing Director) and Dean Shakespeare (Head of Touring) amongst the most creative, entrepreneurial and principled people I know.

“We will be reimagining the Off The Record new music conference, working on the further development of the already hugely successful Kendal Calling and bluedot festivals, as well as progressing some exciting new ideas.

The Manchester-based promoters – founded by Andy Smith and Ben Robinson – are the team behind the award-winning bluedot (Best Medium Festival, UKFA 2019) and Kendal Calling, which celebrates fifteen years this July. The 2020 line-ups for From the Fields’ flagship events include headline performances from Bjork, Stereophonics, Supergrass, Groove Armada and Foals, alongside cultural headliners Tim Peake, Adam Buxton and Cosmos creator Ann Druyan. From the Fields’ portfolio also includes cutting-edge new music shows Inner City Electronic and Off The Record, plus Arts Council-supported citywide cultural events Arts By The Sea and Festival of the Sky.