IN PROFILE
IN PROFILE: 22LIVE A second-generation independent audio rental company, 22live enters the market with a clear set of working principles, focusing on giving the end client the best quality and care while out on the road.
Words: Stew Hume Photos: James Cumpsty
We at TPi are no strangers to covering stories on the establishment of new companies or entities within the live events sector, but what is incredibly rare is for us to be writing about a new company that is already out on the road with two separate touring parties. However, 22live – the newest face in the world of professional audio – has done just that, supplying touring PA and control packages for Sigur Rós as well as The Australian Pink Floyd Show. Although the name 22live may be new to many, the people behind the company will be familiar to most within the industry. Founded by Paul Timmins, the company has taken on several known audio industry professionals including: Simon Gladstone, Technical Director; Stefan Phillips, Operations Director; and now in January 2023, Alex Penn, Spencer Beard and Ian Bidmead all join the management line-up as Commercial Director, Managing Director and Finance Director, respectively. With an established team in place and a warehouse fully stocked with the latest Martin Audio PA systems, numerous DiGiCo desks as well as custom-built flight cases from Flightcase Warehouse, and a whole new approach to line systems, 22live is very much open for business and excited to offer an alternative solution for touring clients, placing itself as one of the few truly independent companies within the audio sphere. To speak about the organisation and the ethos of the company, TPi sat down with
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22live’s Founder and Hire Director, Paul Timmins, in the depths of the O2 Apollo Manchester, as the Icelandic post-rockers, Sigur Rós line checked in the floors above. As he took in his surroundings, it was clear that Timmins was getting a real buzz being back on site, having left his previous position back in early 2021. “When I first left, I knew I wanted to take a break,” began Timmins. With a project of converting a house on the cards, he very much stepped away from the industry, but after a period of reflection, he realised he still had “another chapter left in me”. He continued: “I really started to miss going to shows and with the industry opening up again, I got a taste of what retirement would be like and realised I wasn’t quite ready for it.” After toying with the idea of joining a smaller company and bringing his 40 years of experience into a fledgling outfit, he ultimately decided to start something completely new. “I set about building a business plan; it was exciting to realise that I had real options and prospects to do something independently.” Timmins created a roadmap for how to get 22live off the ground. Although the option was there to buy out an established company, Timmins instead decided to start from scratch. “If you buy a company, at least of a size that I could consider, the reality is that around 30% of the gear will be good and modern, but the rest will be older stock. I opted instead to start afresh. A clean slate would allow me to build the business and
Pictured above: The 22live team made up of Ian Bidmead, Paul Timmins, Simon Gladstone, Stefan Phillips, Spencer Beard and Alex Penn.