Live-stream Platform Driift Recruits Paul Sloan As Australian Promoter

UK live-stream platform Driift has today announced their hiring of Paul Sloan. 

Sloan, who is known for his work with Supersonic Enterprises and Billions Australia and has previously appeared in the Power 50 list, has been recruited as the company's producer and promoter for shows in Australia and New Zealand.

Driift sees its official launched in Australia this weekend, with shows from Kylie Minogue and Niall Horan to take place in the coming days. 

In the three months since the platform's launch, Driift - which was co-founded by ATC Management's Ric Salmon and Brian Message - has sold over 100,000 tickets for live-streamed events with the likes of Nick Cave (read the review for Cave's Idiot Prayer show here), Biffy Clyro, Dermot Kennedy, Laura Marling and more. 

“In what’s been a tough year, the growth of paid-for livestreaming has provided our industry with one of its few shoots of optimism," said Salmon. "At Driift, we believe this is a format with enormous untapped potential, and one where the pandemic has unlocked previously unforeseen demand for unique, one-off, artist-led events. 

"That demand has been strongly evident across Australia and New Zealand, which made expanding our operations Down Under an obvious step. With Nick and Kylie, Driift has already worked with two iconic Australians, and by bringing the experience of Sloanie onto the team we look forward to working with many more over the coming weeks and months. There’s some exciting announcements ahead."

“In this weird year I’ve been horrified by the amount of artists dropping their pants, literally and financially, by offering free, poorly produced livestreams in their underwear. What the industry needs now is another mechanism other than live performance to ensure artists and all their connected industry partners can still connect with fans and survive in a world where physical shows are just so uncertain and unreliable," added Sloan. 

“I was so relieved to see Driift enter the market and to solve this problem with a model that honours the music and the art, and that is artist centric, with strong creative direction and high production values. I hate things that ignore the fact we are in a business about feelings, so am very proud to be involved with Driift as an enterprise that leans towards the artists, respects the music and delivers worthwhile and memorable streaming experiences. 

“I think this curated approach will become one of the primary tools the artists and industry use to navigate us through these dark times - and beyond. I’m looking forward to seeing some great stuff happen with this great team.”