One of the UK’s most respected live music promoters, Rob Waller, has announced his return to the independent music sector, following eight years at Live Nation and more than two decades at the forefront of live music promotion.
Having stepped down from Live Nation in 2025, Waller is now embarking on a new chapter with DHP Family, one of the biggest independent promoters in the UK.
Waller will be continuing to develop his exciting roster of established touring artists, and will be working on new events and concepts as part of the DHP senior team.
DHP Family has earned a reputation for its innovative and creative approach. A former Music Week Promoter of the Year, the company is behind more than 1000 shows a year, with artists such as Electric Callboy, Kneecap, Lewis Capaldi, James Blunt, The Human League, Parcels, Rufus Wainwright and Fat Freddy’s Drop.
Alongside their touring artist portfolio, DHP also operate several festivals and historic venues across the country, including 15,000 capacity Bearded Theory (Derbyshire), Dot To Dot (Bristol and Nottingham), Footsteps (London) and Beat The Streets (Nottingham); The Garage and Oslo (London), Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Stealth, The Palais and The Bodega (Nottingham), and Thekla (Bristol).
Waller’s departure from Live Nation follows an exceptional period of growth and achievement. During his tenure, he conceived, launched and programmed a series of successful outdoor concert brands across the UK, including Margate Summer Series at Dreamland, South Facing Festival Series at Crystal Palace Bowl, The Cardiff Bay Series, Hitchin Priory Summer Series, Brighton Valley Summer Series and the recently launched Colchester Castle Summer Series. Combined totalling 200 events.
The latter proved a standout success, selling approximately 70,000 tickets in its inaugural year and delivering significant cultural and economic impact for the city. Waller was also recently included in AAA Magazine’s prestigious AAA100 award – The 100 Most Influential People in Music, one of only four promoters recognised in the 2026 list.
Prior to Live Nation, Waller founded Soundcrash Music, one of the UK’s most influential independent promoters. Under his leadership, Soundcrash became synonymous with genre-defying programming, presenting more than 300 shows annually and working with artists including Bonobo, MF DOOM, Jon Hopkins, George Clinton, Cinematic Orchestra, Roy Ayers, Mos Def, Flying Lotus, Autechre and Tony Allen. The company was acquired by Live Nation in 2018.
As he returns to the independent sector, Waller plans to build on that legacy with a diverse programme of new events spanning hip-hop, bass, electronic, jazz, soul, reggae and pop, alongside bespoke touring projects featuring both 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.”
For 45 years, DHP Family has proudly remained fiercely independent, offering a boutique alternative for artists, customers and the industry alike. Its passionate approach to delivering creative and unique music-driven experiences, coupled with an experienced and dedicated team has consistently set it apart from others.
DHP Family MD 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.”
Across a career spanning more than 20 years, Waller has played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s independent live music landscape. Alongside Soundcrash, he co-founded and programmed internationally respected festivals including Soundwave Croatia, Nova Batida in Lisbon, The Funk & Soul Weekender, and Paradise Island Festival in Thailand. He has also owned and operated venues in East London, launched touring brands and championed emerging talent throughout his career.
