Hannah and Philippa Chandler worked as artist liaison at Truck Festival in the UK around 2004. Their role involved managing backstage dressing rooms and keeping artists happy and under control. Philippa was 22, armed with a walkie-talkie and keys to a sea container full of alcohol, feeling immensely powerful.
Weaponised cheer and long shifts
As a mix of party host and bouncer, charm was a key technique for keeping order backstage. It was a form of weaponised cheer, a work ethic that saw them smiling through 14-hour shifts on low pay. They interpreted a spreadsheet of rider requests and prepared dressing rooms with bands' alcohol. One amusing mistake: they thought 'contingency' was a band, but it was actually the booze allocated for staff consumption.
Gentle musicians, pushy managers
Band members were generally gentle and kooky, but managers were pushy. One manager insisted the lead singer of a pop group, due to headline, couldn't walk from her tent to backstage because she had done mushrooms and didn't think she could walk. Philippa had to refuse a golf buggy request.
Annual tradition and camaraderie
Some festival crew were professional roadies, while others took annual leave from day jobs. Hannah and Philippa worked hard in graduate jobs and used festivals as a cost-neutral way to have fun and meet people. They built an annual tradition, working long shifts and then prowling the festival at midnight before sleeping in a tiny tent. Early acts were quirky or local, so they'd wake up, mask hangovers, and greet the district kazoo orchestra for a 10am slot.
Memorable artists and backstage life
As the day wore on, bigger bands performed. Philippa remembers mingling with Bonobo, Fat Freddy's Drop, Hot Chip, and Four Tet. By sundown, anticipation and golden light made sets unforgettable. The backstage area was the festival's hypocentre, where geeky musicians transformed into stars on stage. Famous artists brought families, and their children played nonchalantly backstage.
Sia before stardom
Sia performed on Philippa's stage when she was 'just' a jazz singer. She later became a multimillionaire writing for Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry. Philippa recalls relaxed chats backstage about being two Australian women in the UK.
Personal connections
Philippa tried flirting with artists but had more success with crew. Over 20 years later, she is still with the production manager she met backstage, a relationship forged by mutual love of walkie-talkies and live music.
Festival memories endure
Now mothers with busy lives, Hannah and Philippa found babysitters last year and went to a festival together. They no longer share a tent but share memories and a capacity to smile through life's longer shifts.
