Ian Easton at Blissfields 2010
Get With The Programme
The event programme is an essential guide for any festival goer. To some its even a must-have collector's item to be cherished for years to come. BA (Hons) Popular Music Journalism| student Ian Easton tells us what it was like steering the team for this year's Blissfields programme.
“I was lucky enough to have worked for Blissfields last year, in 2009. Solent University handed me the job of interviewing the headlining acts – Laura Marling and Super Furry Animals, no less – a daunting task for a raw, budding music journalist. With that experience under my belt, I was champing at the bit to write for the programme again in 2010, and when I was offered the role of Programme Editor, I nearly took Blissfield’s hand off.
The role was offered by Solent University, through their collaboration with Blissfields. This meant I would be flying the flag for Solent throughout my tenure as Programme Editor.
It was a privilege to be able to work in a real-time environment at a festival, liaising with PR companies, interviewing bands, designing the programme and sourcing advertisements. It was a joy to work towards something that reflects my chosen degree course – Popular Music Journalism. The role really gave me a feel of what it is like to work on the ground, in an editorial environment, with a team of writers who all have something to work towards. Awe-inspiring stuff!
An important aspect of being an Editor is driving the publication in the direction that reflects both the market and the client's needs. This was a unique opportunity to put the skills I have learnt at Solent to the test.
I believe I succeeded, because I received nothing but fantastic feedback on the programme. I am so proud in achieving something many aspiring Music Journalists will never get the chance to do.”