Power 50 - #27: Ben Turnbull

BACKGROUND CHECK

In order to finance his science degree, Ben Turnbull promoted club nights Bang, Next and Plastic, which is how he got his start in the music industry. Turnbull and Jaddan Comerford formed Staple Group in 2005. When Comerford left to set up UNIFIED in 2011, Turnbull steered the company onward. 

THE YEAR THAT WAS

As Director of Staple Group, Turnbull oversees a group of businesses that include Destroy All Lines (touring/events), Happy Horsemen Group (venues), Artist First (merchandising), Uncommon (marketing) and Greyscale Records (label). Destroy All Lines had a cracking 2018, which is probably best demonstrated by the inaugural Good Things festival that stopped off in three east coast destinations with The Offspring, Stone Sour, All Time Low, Dropkick Murphys, Tonight Alive and Babymetal gracing stages. The Music's own Lauren Baxter, who reviewed the Brisbane event, said it best: "There’s been many a Good Things review plagued with catchy idioms and proverbial phrases featuring the word 'good'. Truth be told we tried really hard not to fall victim, but after a day like today you need to call it for what it is. A damn good thing." 

Other spectacular Destroy All Lines tours of 2018 included Primal Scream, Simple Plan, Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Andrew WK and New Japan Pro Wrestling. The Happy Horsemen Group of venues continues to seize opportunities to repurpose spaces such as The Valley Drive In, with Brisbane now gifted a large, permanent outdoor stage for their live music needs. Reviving the charm of classic Aussie pubs in the '80s, the group also opened Blute's Bar in Fortitude Valley mall. Their first Melbourne venue, Stay Gold, also opened its doors in 2018. Uncommon creative agency also had a busy 2018, with big-time clients including Sydney Festival, Warner Music, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Bluesfest. New 2018 signings to Greyscale Records included Antagonist AD, Aburden, The Comfort and Stuck Out.

2018'S CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT?

"The inaugural Good Things festival and launching our first Melbourne venue, Stay Gold."