In this episode of the Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford chats with Anthony “Tony” Markun, the talent buyer behind Back 40 Live at Morris Farm Market. Tony shares how a surprise set from then-unknown Oliver Anthony drew 12,000 fans overnight and catapulted a small farm stage into a fast-growing live music destination.

Inside the episode:

• How a backyard bonfire performance turned into a viral breakout moment
• The scramble to produce a 12,000-person show in just two days
• Building a venue from scratch with friends, family, and phone poles
• The challenges (and scrappiness) of booking as an emerging venue
• Why Tony believes live music is the antidote to the digital world

Episode Timestamps:

(00:00:15) Guest Introduction, Venue Origins and Development

(00:02:06) Rise of Oliver Anthony, Putting on His First Live Show, the Psychology of an Internet Sensation

(00:07:41) Handling Sudden Success, The Farm’s Logistics and Challenges

(00:13:04) Describing the Farm’s Attraction / Building a Unique Venue

(00:17:46) Personal Journey and Evolution

(00:29:32) Implementing Tech at the Venue

(00:34:39) Inclusive Initiatives and Community Impact

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