Movers & Shakers: Bradford Live, Friendly Fire
Events veteran Darren Moore has rejoined the UK’s Bradford Live as venue director under new operator Trafalgar Entertainment.
Trafalgar recently took over the 3,800-cap project, which had been in limbo since NEC Group pulled out of the project last September and expects to make its first programming announcement in the coming weeks.
Moore, who previously served at Bonus Arena Hull, York Barbican and First Direct Arena Leeds, was previously appointed general manager of Bradford Live in July 2023, but left his position in February last year. He describes his appointment as venue director as an “amazing privilege”.
“It is truly a unique venue in the north that we will be relaunching later this year, and it has had a rich history of entertaining the city,” says Moore. “I am excited to bring the venue back to operation following an extensive refurbishment programme to transform it into one of the best venues in the UK.
“We will now start to build the team to ensure we provide a guest and client experience that befits such a prestigious building and add to the already fantastic cultural landscape that Bradford has to offer.”
The former Odeon Cinema was originally built in 1930s and has now been fully restored with a £50 million (€59m) investment following a period of dereliction.
“I am delighted that Darren has joined the Trafalgar family,” says Frazer Hoyle, regional director for Trafalgar Venues. “Not only does he bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience but also a real passion for Bradford Live and I know once we are open, he will be focused on making sure that every visitor will have a world class experience.”
“With Gijsen, we are bringing a highly experienced festival specialist and cultural entrepreneur into the company”
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, FKP Scorpio-backed promoter Friendly Fire has installed Johan Gijsen as interim head of festivals & outdoor productions.
Gijsen started out as a programmer for Utrecht’s Tivoli venue, prior to launching the city’s Le Guess Who? festival. Gijsen also worked across Into The Great Wide Open and Grasnapolsky festivals, in addition to holding positions at various cultural organisations, including Tivoli’s 013.
“I have been following Friendly Fire with great admiration since their foundation in 2009 and am therefore extremely excited to be part of them now,” says Gijsen.
With Gijsen on board, Friendly Fire is targeting further expansion of its festival portfolio, which includes Best Kept Secret, Hit the City, Ginger Festival, Loose Ends and Live at Amsterdam Forest.
“With Gijsen, we are bringing a highly experienced festival specialist and cultural entrepreneur into the company, with an extraordinary amount of knowledge and expertise in the field of events and managing organisations,” says Friendly Fire director Robert Swarts. “We are very much looking forward to working with him to further grow our existing activities and also to realise new, inspiring events.”
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