Alan Bearman Music is a primarily a music agency representing some of the foremost artists on the folk, roots and acoustic music scene.

ABM was formed in late 2004 and is based in North London. Prior to that Alan worked as Artistic Director of Sidmouth International Festival for eighteen years and programmed numerous prestigious festivals and events for Mrs Casey Music.

Alan is joined now in ABM by Ceri Wade, James Garrett and Hannah Bright plus part-time agents Sarah Allen and Lisa Ratcliff. Whilst agency is our core business we continue to work as programmers and consultants and are heavily involved in many aspects of the folk scene. Alan continues to programme Towersey Festival in Oxfordshire as well as programming Conferences and Showcases for Folk Arts England and the Association of Festival Organisers.

ABM works closely with a number of associates including Reveal Records and Agency, Topic Records, Stoneyport Associates, Mrs Casey Music, AFO and Spiral Earth. In addition, ABM regularly curates concerts and events for King’s Place in London. Glass Ceiling PR tell the world about our artists’ gigs. With many years of club, event and festival organisation behind us we provide a professional, understanding and complete service for our artists and bookers alike.

Consultancy

Recent clients include:
Mrs Casey Music
The Association of Festival Organisers
Smallworld Music, Belfast
FolkArts England

Whilst specialising in artistic matters, Alan Bearman Music offers consultancy and support on all related aspects of festivals and together with experienced associates cover the whole range of event management.

Programming

Artistic Director:
Sidmouth International Festival 1991-2004

Event Programmer and Consultant:

Festival of the Peninsula, Newtownards, Northern Ireland 2005-2007
Ards International Guitar Festival, Newtownards, Northern Ireland 2005-2008
Mrs Casey Music 1988-2005, projects included:
Evolving Tradition Weekend - Barbican Centre, London
American Music Weekends - Barbican Centre, London
Concerts at Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall
Farnham Folk Day- Farnham, Surrey
Easter Festival for The Rank Organisation
Arts in the Parks - Hampshire County Council
Concert Programmer and Consultant - English Folk Dance and Song Society 1998-2000
Director - Chestnuts Community Festival, Walthamstow, London 1984-1990
Programme Co-ordinator - Bands in the Park, for Waltham Forest Arts Council 1985-1987

Training Programmes available:

After many years of leading seminars at Association of Festival Organisers conferences, Alan Bearman Music can now offer training on all aspects of event programming - from a one hour session on Booking Artists for Beginners to a full day on Working with Artists and Agents. An experienced trainer, Alan can produce a programme appropriate to your needs.

Alan devised and edited Direct Roots: The Guide to Folk, Roots and Related Music and Arts in the British Isles and wrote the Promoters’ Guide for Folk Arts England and Jazz Services.