Building values driven teams, events with purpose & communities with heart.
Matt Hanner
Live Music Consultancy, Operations, Events, Booking
WHen you want to create a music event that does more than tick boxes.
The real impact of an event relies on it being rooted in the context of the community it seeks to serve. I develop projects that place the “why” at the heart of the planning process, working from the ground up to meet long-term goals. See previous projects here.
WHen you NEED industry contacts and experience to elevate an event.
Whether you’ve got the bones of a great project already in place or you just don’t know where to start, with 15 years in the live music industry, working internationally for major booking agencies, I have the experience and connections to make it happen.
Take a look around
When might we work together?
When you want to conquor the Uk market.
I specialise in working with international managers, labels and funding bodies to ensure they are getting good value on their export investments. See an example of a previous project here.
When your business needs music industry insight.
Whether you’re launching a product aimed at grassroots musicians, or want to align an existing brand with music, I offer consultancy that will allow you to understand the industry and navigate the potential pitfalls of mixing business and art. With experience across both creative and operational sides of music, I help bridge those perspectives — finding common-ground without compromising artistic integrity.
Past Projects
when people need to be front and centre.
The music industry thrives on passion, but it’s an environment that can prove challenging for workers, be it their mental or physical health, personal relationships, or even their relationship with work and the industry itself. As I did as a business owner, I can bring a compassionate, people-first intervention that will help teams reconnect with their purpose and find more sustainable ways of working.
I am passionate about building communities and initiatives that exist to see music improve people’s lives and build platforms for careers in music. With extensive experience of working with grassroots artists as well as educational institutions, I can deliver consultancy services or lead projects that deliver tangible outcomes for beneficiaries.
Over the last 15 years I have progressed from intern to business leader, building an internationally respected music booking agency, Runway. Having previously spent time working for the agencies that have become Wasserman and ROAM, I witnessed companies grow dramatically and experience the shifting dynamics that come with expansion. That lead me to build Runway on the vision of “Building Careers Through Live Music”, both for our team and our artists. We were proud to see team members secure roles at larger agencies having taken their first industry positions with Runway.
As well as a Booking Agent and Operations Director I am a values-driven creative. I look to develop collaborative opportunities and communities that empower others to succeed. I work to drive processes to a high-standard and with a consistent focus on positive outcomes for all involved. I am confident in my abilities yet mindful of my limitations—an awareness that fuels my commitment to collaboration, continuous learning, and standing firm in my convictions.
I have a heart for supporting young creatives and aspiring professionals. I view music as a powerful tool for social mobility and to empower those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Overview
Matt
Skills & Experience
Founder, Operations Director & Booking Agent
Runway (2020 - 2025)
I founded Runway initially working alone with a roster of 14 artists.. The company grew to a team of 12 representing over 150 international touring artists. As Operations Director my role included HR, IT & Finance, while representing a personal roster of roughly 30 artists.
Booking agent & Booking Assistant
ATC Live & Coda (2011-2020)
initially working as an intern at Coda, I worked my way up to become a booker to two of the directors before leaving to join ATC Live as an agent in 2018. I have worked with artists including Rag’n’Bone Man, Tiesto, The Vaccines, Novo Amor and Everything Everything - booking into major festivals and venues up to 10,000 capacity.
Event producer
Conference, Showcase & More
During my time at Runway I took several events from conception to execution, including a sold out day conference hosted in collaboration with the MMF, a quarterly new-music showcase and a monthly songwriter event. I have experience in logistics, programming, branding, and ticketing to name just a few of the areas i have overseen.
speaker & moderator
Eurosonic, ILMC, IFF & more
I have extensive experience as a conference contributor, speaking on topics from the grassroots music ecosystem through to how artists balance their values with commercial success. I present my views with clarity and honesty.
Tutor & Lecturer
ACM, BIMM, ICMP & More
I spent time on staff at Guildford’s ACM (2020) and have been a regular visiting speaker at several other institutions over the last 15 years. Covering subjects ranging from Tour Management to Cultural Theory alongside introductory lectures unpacking the live music ecosystem.