Disruptors
Gef’s 30 Under 30 2024 Winners: Q&A with Callum Davies
Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the 2024 #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.
Meet the Capital International Group Disruptors, who say ‘why play by the rules when you can create your own?’ These young stars don’t just follow the status quo, they create the world they want to live in.
What is your name and age?
Callum Davies, age 24.
Job title or role in the community?
Owner of Volume Events and Employed by Event Lighting Services (ELS) as an Event Organiser & Event Production Technician.
How did you start your career or role in the community?
In 2019, I began a four-year program in Event Management at the University of Chester. While living in Chester, I started attending and DJing at electronic music events throughout the city. Before moving for university, I DJed at various nightclubs and venues on the island, but it wasn’t until I played in the UK that I realised the immense popularity of the electronic music scene.
On the island, most clubs played commercial pop music to cater to the majority demographic. However, there was a noticeable lack of genre-specific events that delved into electronic genres considered too niche for mainstream clubs, such as techno, trance, breakbeat, and drum & bass. Recognising this gap in the market, I decided to hold my first electronic music event at COOiL bar, where I used to play before leaving for university.
The event, called Techno Takeover, was a huge success, selling out two weeks before it was scheduled to take place. Following this success, I began hosting regular events at various venues across the island, gradually increasing their capacity. I also built a team of like-minded individuals who share a passion for electronic music, which eventually evolved into the now well-known Volume Collective.
In one sentence, summarise your journey so far as a young and successful person under 30.
The support from everyone on this journey has been nothing but phenomenal.
Tell us about your business/industry, is there something interesting about it that most people wouldn’t expect?
The events industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UK, currently employing over 775,000 individuals. On the Isle of Man, however, it is a relatively small industry that can often be overlooked. Despite the island’s small population, comparable to a small town in the UK, I believe the local events industry deserves greater recognition.
I work full-time in events and run a part-time events business, so it’s fair to say that my life revolves around this industry. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Have you experienced any hurdles in your career or community efforts and if so, how did you overcome them?
Selling events on the Isle of Man can be challenging. There have been numerous occasions when I was close to canceling an event due to insufficient ticket sales, barely reaching the break-even point or operating at a small loss. While I don’t usually discuss financial aspects, it’s crucial for a small business to cover overhead costs to remain viable.
One of the significant challenges is that tickets are often purchased at the last minute, which can be nerve-wracking for organisers like myself. If we need to cancel or postpone an event, we must do so with enough lead time to notify our suppliers and partners, ensuring we don’t lose our deposits. We have observed that many people don’t make plans until the week of the event, making the week leading up to the event the most crucial for ticket sales.
Despite these challenges, I want to reassure other like-minded event organisers on the island not to worry if ticket sales are slow initially. The trend we’ve seen over the past five years is that ticket sales peak during the week of the event.
Tell us about why you think you won in the Disruptors category?
I believe I won the ‘Disruptor’ category for my efforts in creating memorable moments celebrating electronic music. I know the island can lack events that focus on the music and the experience offered to those attending. As I work full as an event technician specialising in lighting I want to ensure that the event doesn’t only sound good, but looks good as it makes volume stand out from the crowd.
Who are your role models, either on-island or off, in your sector or outside of it?
Volume wouldn’t be where it is today without the guidance of my boss, Justin McMullin. He has taught me extensively about the island’s industry and event production, providing access to the best audio and visual equipment for my events. Additionally, Ricky Rooney, Justin’s business partner and a well-known local DJ from the early 2000s, has educated me on what works and what doesn’t in ticketed electronic music events on the island.
Beyond the island, I look up to individuals like Sacha Lord, the Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester and one of the key figures behind the Warehouse Project and Parklife. I’ve read Sacha’s book, “Tales from the Dance Floor,” where he shares his journey from being a ticket promoter to becoming a leading figure in electronic music events in the UK and Europe. His story demonstrates that anyone with drive and passion for events can achieve success.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
‘Feedback is like Brussels sprouts—it might not be your favourite, but it’s good for you.’ I honestly can’t remember who told me this; I think it was one of my university lecturers. When people give feedback, it can sometimes feel like they’re criticising your work, but it’s essential to take it on board. Embracing feedback helps you overcome flaws and improve the overall experience for those attending your events.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m considering moving to the UK for a few years to enhance my skills and knowledge within the events industry. This decision stems from my desire to work on major events that aren’t typically seen on the island. However, this won’t be the end of Volume. We will continue to hold regular events, with a dedicated team of Volume residents on the island keeping the scene alive. I hope this move will enable me to bring back new ideas and even artists to further develop the electronic music scene on the island.
What changes do you hope to see in your sector or community in the coming years?
I’m eager to see more frequent electronic music events held on the island and the opening of new spaces and venues to accommodate these events. Despite the loss of venues in recent years due to COVID-19 and financial challenges, there’s a clear demand for these spaces, as evidenced by our 4 1/2 years of operating Volume. Additionally, I look forward to witnessing more young DJs stepping forward. Playing in front of a live audience is an invaluable experience, and I’m committed to providing opportunities for them to showcase their talent.
What, for you, are the benefits of staying on or moving back to the island for young people under 30?
Having come back from university and been back on the island for the year, it’s a comfortable place to live and start a career. It’s also easy to become recognised if you are passionate about something due to its small size. It is also a very friendly environment as I can happily say I have never had any hassle at any of my events.
What does being a Gef’s 30 Under 30 winner mean to you?
It means the world to me. It’s truly amazing to see that my efforts have been recognised and that people appreciate what I’ve done. Volume started as a passion project—a hobby born out of my love for organising events and electronic music. Becoming as popular as it has was never the initial goal, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything else in the world.
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