On Pursuing a Career in Creative Production: Margaret Galton of C3
As we prepare for BABES FEST 2019, we’re sharing interviews with some of the creatives on our lineup. Today, we’re featuring words from talent buyer Margaret Galton. You can catch Margaret on Day Two of the fest during our workshops and panels at the LINE Hotel.
Photo of Margaret Galton by Sydney Gawlik
who: Margaret Galton
Margaret Galton is a Talent Buyer working on Festivals and Concerts at C3 Presents. In the past eleven years she has had the privilege to work on accounts such as: Austin City Limits Music Festival, Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater (Indoors and Outdoors), Live Out Festival, C3 Concerts in various Austin venues and all throughout Texas, Longhorn City Limits, Auckland City Limits, Sydney City Limits, Austin Food and Wine, Nickelodeon SlimeFest, and The White House Easter Egg Roll (Obama Administration).
Tell us about your background. What did you do before you became a talent buyer at C3 and what did you do to get to where you are now?
I started in the music industry when I was in college. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but knew I wanted to see and be around live music for a living. So, I began volunteering/interning/working at any and every place I could that would gain me experience or a foot in the door. After working the door, taking tickets, selling merch, being a runner, working hospitality, passing out meal tickets, the list goes on… at countless shows and events, I started to focus in on what I liked and disliked from my experiences which led me to talent buying. I think the single most beneficial thing I did to get to where I am now was to wear as many hats as I could and never be above helping or lending a hand to those in different roles. I learned so much about talent buying from helping folks in marketing, ticketing and fest opps.
What exactly does a talent buyer do?
The job of a talent buyer is to book and curate artists for a specific venue or event. I research established and up and coming bands and work with their representatives to bring them to town, however you can be a talent buyer for other types of artists as well.
How do you become one?
The best way to become a talent buyer of any sort is to take a stab at it. Start by curating a show or event. It can be big or small, but I would advise to start small and test the waters. Even if it is just throwing together something in a backyard. Reach out to and work with the artist to agree on payment and deal points, then get the show going!
BABES FEST is an ~ annual convening of minds ~ in Austin, Texas, celebrating and amplifying women and nonbinary artists. As a weekend-long exhibition, our performances, panels, pop-up markets, film screenings and networking hours span music, film, art, creative education and comedy. Our daily schedule, 3-day passes and one-day passes for BABES FEST 2019 are available now.
~ everybody’s welcome. ~