Moderator - Cushla Aston
Cushla Aston (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao) is the founder of Aston Rd, a boutique artist management company representing soulful singer-songwriter Louis Baker. Cushla is the current Chair of the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University, and a former mentor for Te Māngai Pāho's Māori music development programme.
artist manager
Cushla Aston (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao) is the founder of Aston Rd, a boutique artist management company representing soulful singer-songwriter Louis Baker.
Cushla is the current Chair of the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University, and a former mentor for Te Māngai Pāho's Māori music development programme.
After a decade living in the UK, she returned home in 2011 and immersed herself in the local independent music scene, working with platinum-selling artists such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, Kora, and Trinity Roots. In 2012, she was awarded MMF’s 'Upcoming Manager of the Year' and was a finalist for 'Manager of the Year' in 2014.
Her artists have achieved APRA Silver Scroll nominations, Critics Choice Awards recognition, and independently released albums charting in New Zealand’s Top 10. They’ve toured internationally across the UK, Europe, Polynesia, South Africa, and Australia.
Cuillin Hearty
Cuillin Hearty is a UK-born, Tāmaki Makaurau-based music industry all-rounder. Working across artist management, bookings, and live events. Their career began in Queenstown and has since spanned the motu, working at festivals and events including Rhythm & Vines, Laneway, Electric Avenue, and more.
artist manager
Cuillin Hearty is a UK-born, Tāmaki Makaurau-based music industry all-rounder. Working across artist management, bookings, and live events. Their career began in Queenstown and has since spanned the motu, working at festivals and events including Rhythm & Vines, Laneway, Electric Avenue, and more.
Cuillin’s experience includes artist liaison, touring logistics, show and festival operations, and more — currently working across projects with BIG FAN and Banished Music. They’re also the manager of There’s A Tuesday, Sofia Machray, Frank on Tap, and The Dawns, and handle bookings for a range of emerging artists across Aotearoa.
With a genuine passion for artist development and a love for the live music space, Cuillin brings a grounded, thoughtful approach to everything they do — always aiming to support artists and create meaningful, well-run experiences on and off the stage.
Gavin Downie
Gavin Downie has held the role of Event organiser for Auckland Councils Music in Parks for 7 years booking over 360 acts in those years. In his freelance work he has been production manager on the huge Waitangi Waititi event in west Auckland. Toured with everyone from Wiz Khalifa to the Cranberries across the globe and checked off hundreds and hundreds of locals tours, festivals and shows. He also fits in time to run a business as a media composer selling tracks worldwide since 2020.
booker - music in parks auckland
Gavin Downie has held the role of Event organiser for Auckland Councils Music in Parks for 7 years booking over 360 acts in those years. In his freelance work he has been production manager on the huge Waitangi Waititi event in west Auckland. Toured with everyone from Wiz Khalifa to the Cranberries across the globe and checked off hundreds and hundreds of locals tours, festivals and shows. He also fits in time to run a business as a media composer selling tracks worldwide since 2020.
John Minty
John Minty has been booking music for Splore Festival since 2005. The event is known for its musical diversity and the showcasing of relatively unknown acts to a large, open-minded festival audience.
Owner & music booker - splore
John Minty has been booking music for Splore Festival since 2005. The event is known for its musical diversity and the showcasing of relatively unknown acts to a large, open-minded festival audience.