Aaron Cunningham

Writer & Photographer
Deputy Editor, Chordblossom

Aaron Cunningham is a writer, photographer and deputy editor at Chordblossom. He has been shining a light on music from the North and across Ireland through his writing since 2013. He rarely misses a new release through his monthly curated playlists. He works on Chordblossom’s annual Kickstart competition to provide opportunities for emerging artists.

Aaron has given more focus to photography in recent years, and has worked with the likes of Chalk, Joel Harkin and New Pagans. He can be regularly found in photo pits and venues around Belfast.

Aja Garrod-Prance

General Manager, Scottish Music Industry Association and SAY (Scottish Album of The Year awards)

Aja joined the SMIA in 2024 as General Manager. Their role involves the day-to-day management of the SMIA’s business operations, including overseeing the successful delivery of our annual programme of services, projects and events; supporting the work of the wider executive team. They also work with our partners across SMIA projects and programmes, building effective relationships to support the SMIA’s strategic objectives.

Originally from the South of England, Aja has worked in a number of roles across the creative industries including operations, event programming and production, and funding. For the last four years, their career has focused on talent development, funding support for grassroots music organisations and emerging music creators through roles at the PRS Foundation and Youth Music. They relocated from London to Glasgow in 2023.

Andy Harrison

Artist Manager, 5000

An Artist Manager, Andy’s career started in Scotland in 1990, DJing and running raves. He began managing Artists and small electronic labels, moving to London in 1997 to continue the work. In 2005 he co-founded The Luminaire, winning London Venue of The Year and UK Venue of The Year in the first two years. He booked Quart – Norway’s biggest and oldest music festival, co-runs The KRS Open and Roundtable Conferences in Kristiansand, lectures internationally, and supports mentoring initiatives to help young Artists and Managers find their way in the Music Industries.

Bryony Coles

Photographer & Creative Director, Creative Grind

Bryony Coles is a Belfast-based photographer and creative director whose work captures the energy and emotion at the heart of Ireland’s creative scene. Specialising in music, fashion, and cultural storytelling, Bryony has photographed some of Northern Ireland and Ireland’s most exciting artists and events — from AVA Festival and The Fontaines at Belfast Vital to emerging acts making their mark on the local scene.

Alongside her photography, Bryony runs The Creative Grind, a creative agency that champions Irish talent through community-led projects, editorials, and events.

Through her lens, Bryony continues to shape how Northern Ireland’s culture and creativity are seen — both at home and internationally. Her work celebrates the people and places that define the island’s evolving creative identity.

Caroline Kelly

Freelance writer and a music journalist, Hot Press Magazine, New Word Order, University Observer and Extra.ie

Caroline Kelly is a freelance writer and a music journalist based in Dublin. Hailing from Virginia in the United States, she moved to Ireland in 2020 for college. She writes regularly for Hot Press Magazine, and her work can also be found in New Word Order, University Observer and Extra.ie. Caroline’s work focuses mainly on the Irish music scene, especially trad folk and rock, as well as indie and alternative genres.

John Loftus

radio broadcaster at 8radio.com
music writer, GoldenPlec.com

John Loftus has been a passionate champion of Irish music since his early days in radio broadcasting over 15 years ago. From community radio to Clare FM and Tipp FM, John’s journey led him to his true broadcasting home at 8radio.com—the digital station founded by Simon Maher, the visionary behind the iconic Phantom FM.

At 8radio.com, John has hosted a wide array of shows and specials, but it’s his long-running weekly programme, Sounds from a Green World, that has truly made its mark. Since 2014, the show has been a vibrant showcase of music from across the island of Ireland, shining a spotlight on emerging and established Irish artists alike.

Beyond the airwaves, John is a regular contributor to the renowned music blog GoldenPlec.com, where his insights and reviews also support and celebrate the Irish music scene. He’s also an improv comedian, MC extraordinaire, and a dedicated supporter of youth innovation through his extensive involvement with the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in numerous capacities.

Jonny Tiernan

DJ, journalist, cultural entrepreneur
founder of Alternative Ulster (AU) magazine
Editor in Chief, Berliner Magazine

Jonny Tiernan is a journalist, DJ and cultural entrepreneur based in Berlin. Since 2022, he has been the Editor-in-Chief of The Berliner, the city’s leading English-language culture and city magazine. Originally from Belfast, Jonny is the founder of Alternative Ulster, an award-winning music, culture and lifestyle magazine distributed in the UK and Ireland between 2003 and 2012. In 2014, Jonny made Berlin his home, where he launched LOLA Magazine in 2016. With a media career spanning more than 20 years and encompassing print, radio and online journalism, he has built a reputation for bridging the gap between underground and mainstream culture. Next to publishing, Jonny is a dynamic presence in Berlin’s creative community. As an active DJ, event curator and panel moderator, he amplifies diverse voices and perspectives across the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Kev Tame

Event Producer, Welsh Music Prize
CEO, Sain Records

Kev Tame is the CEO of Sain Records, Wales’s oldest independant music company based in a multi-studio complex in North Wales. He leads on business and studio development, safeguarding and celebrating Sain’s extensive music archive, and building new opportunities for artists and labels through artist development, release planning, and publishing opportunities.

Kev is also Director of Oleia, a project-based company that co-runs the Welsh Music Prize, and also recently co-produced a BBC Wales documentary about the prize.

With over 30 years’ experience as an artist and music industry professional, Kev has delivered global campaigns and led international teams in collaboration with partners such as The Orchard, Beggars Group, Kobalt, Caroline International, and PIAS.

Kitt Carr

Events and Programme Manager for Scotland’s Music Convention and Showcase Wide Days

Kitt Carr is the Events and Programme Manager for Scotland’s Music Convention and Showcase Wide Days. The organisation also delivers a host of export activity, including running the official Scottish presence at events encompassing ESNS, The Great Escape, Waves Vienna, Reeperbahn and FOCUS Wales.

Kitt also serves as the Project Coordinator for Off The Record, Scotland’s annual youth-focused music conference and digital programme. The initiative is dedicated to breaking down barriers to entry within the music industry, providing grassroots artists and aspiring professionals with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to advance their careers.

Lorcan Kausch Byrne

Promoter, MCD

Lorcan is a promoter from Wicklow, Ireland and has been working in the music industry for 10 years. Starting out in London working with festivals such as Outlook and Dimensions, and then returning to Ireland to work with MCD. He promotes across various musical genres and comedy and work with acts such as Kingfishr, Sombr, Tyler Childers, Becky Hill, David Gray, Gigi Perez and Royel Otis.

Lucinda Graham

Multidisciplinary creative; sustainable designer, fashion stylist and costume designer

Lucinda is a stylist and creative consultant with a decade's experience across the UK and Ireland's music scene. Her work crosses costume design for stage, music videos, performance wear and building the visual words that artists thrive within.

Olivia Creighton

Fashion Stylist, Designer & Creative Director within the Music Industry
Senior VIP and Partnerships at AllSaints

Belfast-born designer, stylist, and creative director Olivia Creighton works at the intersection of music and fashion. A Fashion Design graduate from the University of Edinburgh, she began her career with Adidas, Stella McCartney, Kestin, and O’Neills Irish International Sportswear before joining AllSaints in London, where she now heads up the VIP and Partnerships department within the PR and Marketing team at AllSaints.

Olivia’s work centres on creative direction for musicians and reviving AllSaints’ heritage as the go-to brand for the music industry. She has led major creative initiatives including the ‘AllSaints Rocks’ SS26 runway show at the Tate Modern in September 2025, soundtracked live by Louis Bekk and the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the revival of the ‘AllSaints Sessions’ concert series - with The Japanese House and Yasmin Hass for example, headlining a sold-out show at the Omeara in London in July.

At Glastonbury 2025, she styled some of the biggest names in music and reintroduced bespoke AllSaints designs tailored to musicians such as Charli XCX, Gracie Abrams, DJO and Gabbriette reinforcing and reviving the brand’s cultural legacy. In her role at AllSaints, as well as her independent styling and design practice, Olivia has collaborated with a plethora of artists including CMAT, Fontaines D.C. , CHALK, Cardinals, Inhaler, Jazzy, The Last Dinner Party, The Libertines, Of Monsters and Men, Sprints, Good Neighbours, Geese, NewDad, Sam Fender, Wunderhorse and many more, bridging her creativity with global fashion and redefining the visual identity of the modern music industry.

Ruth Barlow

Director of Live Licensing, Beggars Group and
Chair of the Association of Independent Music (AIM)

Ruth’s career began in 1998 at Xfm, where she progressed from intern to Music Producer, booking live sessions and helping introduce numerous artists to UK radio. In 2002, she joined Beggars Group as a National Radio Plugger, working on breakthrough campaigns for The White Stripes, Interpol, and M.I.A. amongst others.

Recognizing the increasing significance of live music, Ruth transitioned in 2007 to lead Beggars' live strategy, exploring tour promotions, brand partnerships, and landmark events like Radiohead’s show at 93ft East and The White Stripes' Royal Hospital Chelsea performance. She also co-founded Concrete and Glass, East London’s first multi-venue music and arts festival.

With the explosion of live music video content online, Ruth spearheaded Beggars’ live licensing for the groups vast roster, managing global rights deals for live recordings. She became a Director of Beggars Group in 2014 contributing to the company’s overall strategy.

Beyond Beggars, Ruth is Chair of AIM and observes on the boards of UK Music, Earth Agency and BPI Council. She is a passionate advocate for independent music, working to empower artists and labels in an ever-changing industry.