Red Light's James Sandom

What was the first concert you ever attended?

The Cure supported by Ride at Wembley Arena, Jan. 19, 1991. Ride’s show was visceral at this point, relentless strobe lights, and The Cure were touring Disintegration, arguably their finest hour. To be managing Ride since they reformed in 2015 is a special “‘life coming full circle” moment.

You can go back in time and see any concert. Whom would you see and when?

The Velvet Underground in 1967 or Sonic Youth in 1989.

Name a manager not in your company whom you admire.

John Silva. The blueprint.

You’re made czar of the concert industry. What’s the first thing you’d change?

I would focus on supporting growth at the grass-roots level. The touring economy needs to support the next generation better—touring has become incredibly expensive, whilst at the top end incredibly profitable.