#31 - How Back 40 Live Went From Farm Market to 12,000-Person Venue

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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