In anticipation for International Women’s Day, the Women in Music Utah chapter hosted a launch party at the downtown Asher Adams Hotel with live performances at The Depot afterwards on Saturday, March 7. The event included a panel discussion hosted by Vice Chair of Events Sindee Savage and featured women working in the Salt Lake City music industry including Madi Mekkelson (Marketing Manager and Art & Photography for LNE Presents); Colette Hanley (Talent Buyer for Live Nation); Riley Bode (Marketing Coordinator & Ticketing for S&S Presents); Merinda Starnes (Programming, Partnerships & Activations Manager at Asher Adams Hotel); and Detzany (singer, songwriter and model).
While Women in Music (WIM) was founded in New York City in 1985, the Women in Music Utah chapter was started just last year. According to their website, WIM “is dedicated to fostering equality in the music industry through the support and advancement of women.” The panelists shared their experiences in their various roles of the local music ecosystem including talent-buying, marketing, ticketing, venue programming and as independent artists. Each shared the challenges they faced in their careers, such as dealing with show cancellations, financial pressures and logistical issues, emphasizing the critical importance of community, networking and mutual support within the tight-knit Salt Lake scene.
For example, Hanley told of a time last year when she had to cancel a show. “I was determined to not cancel it. It was not canceling in my brain. Like this show is going to happen, no matter where. It could happen in my backyard, but like, it was going to happen,” she shared.
As the talent buyer for Live Nation, Hanley is responsible for booking shows at venues like The Depot and Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, a job that involves negotiating with artists; coordinating with marketing, ticketing, and production teams; and managing the show from booking to settlement. As a wearer of many hats, how did Hanley handle the situation?
“I called every single one of the promoters in Salt Lake City, and thank God we have one of the best music industries on the planet, and every single one of those promoters from S&S to LNE to Mutiny to AEG, I had them on the phone,” Hanley recalled. Throughout the day, each of the collectives helped Hanley to brainstorm, and called her throughout the day to check in how she was doing. Her main point was that it’s okay to reach out for help.
“As women, that’s a thing that sometimes we struggle with,” she added. “It doesn’t say anything about you, but you need help. If anything, thank God you have a really beautiful community that’s got your back, no matter what the circumstances are.”
As each woman on the panel shared their experiences, the room felt like a safe place full of warmth and collaboration. The panelists all offered practical, tangible advice for audience members aspiring to a career in music, encouraging them to take action, believe in themselves and lean on their community.
Mekkelson, the marketing professional for LNE Presents, oversees multiple venues like Sky SLC, and festivals like Reggae Rise Up. Her responsibilities include social media, email marketing, street team coordination and constant communication with artist teams. Mekkelson shared how her perspective of the music industry changed when a colleague told her, “‘It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you. … And I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s such a genius quote, because if someone knows your skillset and your skills, just keep working at it … you never know, it might get you into a music industry job.’”
Bode of S&S Presents agrees. When she was booking small Salt Lake bands at her small venue in Idaho, they encouraged her to move and email her then-future boss, leading to her current job, hybrid marketing and ticketing for the company behind Kilby Court and the Kilby Block Party festival. Her work resides at the intersection of promoters, artists, venues and fans, focusing on connecting audiences with shows and providing data to help artists route their tours.
While it can seem daunting to make that first move, the panelists pushed those interested in working within the music industry to go to local shows, ask to be on a guestlist, reach out to artists directly for the purposes of photographing them or to reach out to promoters with questions about how to get involved. This might take volunteer work at first, but as Hanley explained, “If you’re being invited into that room, you belong in that room.”
Women in Music chapters around the world offer mentorship opportunities, including coaching on relevant topics such as music, business and communication skills. The Utah chapter will be planning more local events for women working in (or interested in working in) the local music industry, creating safe spaces for networking with the collective goal of achieving equity and belonging for all.
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