Connecting the live music industry
Rob Waller joins independent UK promoter DHP Family
September9
UK concert promoter Rob Waller has joined DHP Family after eight years at Live Nation, marking his return to the independent live music sector.
Waller, who stepped down from Live Nation in 2025, will join DHP Family’s senior team and continue developing his roster of touring artists. He will also work on new events and live entertainment concepts for the Nottingham-based independent promoter and venue operator.
DHP Family promotes more than 1,000 shows annually and works with artists including Electric Callboy, Kneecap, Lewis Capaldi, James Blunt, The Human League, Parcels, Rufus Wainwright and Fat Freddy’s Drop.
The company also operates festivals including the 15,000-capacity Bearded Theory in Derbyshire, Dot To Dot in Bristol and Nottingham, Footsteps in London and Beat The Streets in Nottingham.
Its venue portfolio includes The Garage and Oslo in London; Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Stealth, The Palais and The Bodega in Nottingham; and Thekla in Bristol.
Return to the independent sector
During his time at Live Nation, Waller developed and programmed several outdoor concert series across the UK. These included the Margate Summer Series at Dreamland, South Facing Festival at Crystal Palace Bowl, Cardiff Bay Series, Hitchin Priory Summer Series, Brighton Valley Summer Series and Colchester Castle Summer Series.
Together, the series accounted for approximately 200 events. The inaugural Colchester Castle Summer Series sold around 70,000 tickets.
Waller was also included in AAA Magazine’s 2026 AAA100 list of influential people in music, as one of four promoters recognised.
Before joining Live Nation, Waller founded independent promoter Soundcrash Music, which presented more than 300 shows annually. Its artist portfolio included Bonobo, MF DOOM, Jon Hopkins, George Clinton, The Cinematic Orchestra, Roy Ayers, Mos Def, Flying Lotus, Autechre and Tony Allen. Live Nation acquired the company in 2018.
At DHP Family, Waller plans to develop events across hip-hop, bass, electronic, jazz, soul, reggae and pop, alongside touring projects involving established and emerging artists.
Rob Waller said: “Spending eight years at Live Nation was an incredible journey. Over the last five years I had the opportunity to build multiple outdoor concert series from the ground up, working with a fantastic team and helping bring world-class live music to audiences across the UK. I`m immensely proud of what we achieved together.
“Ending that chapter with the launch of Colchester Castle Summer Series felt like the perfect way to sign off. However, my heart has always belonged to the independent music world, where creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit can thrive.
“I`m excited to be returning to those roots working with DHP Family. We`ll be developing unique new live experiences and fresh ideas that bring artists and audiences together in memorable ways. There are some very exciting announcements on the horizon.”
DHP Family has operated independently for 45 years across concert promotion, festivals and venues.
DHP Family managing director George Akins said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Rob into the Family. His love for creating innovative events, and especially his passion for the independent live music sector, are a solid match to our core values as a business, and we look forward to working together. It’s heartening to see the beginning of a renewed interest in independents across the industry.”
Waller has worked in live music for more than two decades. In addition to founding Soundcrash, he co-founded and programmed festivals including Soundwave Croatia, Nova Batida in Lisbon, The Funk & Soul Weekender and Paradise Island Festival in Thailand. He has also operated venues in East London and developed touring brands.
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