Congratulations to Ronnie Phipps who has been nominated in Production Award: Stage Technician of the Year in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Ronnie Phipps now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 30th November in Inverness Leisure. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Ronnie of Ronnie Phipps the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
I design, program and operate lighting predominately for live events. I've been working in the industry for 17 years. Started out at The Arches in 2007, then onto O2 Academy Glasgow and O2 ABC Glasgow, before becoming freelance in 2017. Since then I have toured internationally with artists such as Aurora, Jungle and Neck Deep.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Growing up in the surround area of Glasgow, I made a few good connections through playing in bands and working in some venues. From there, I have been lucky to have been involved with shows and tours with loads of different Scottish artists (Mogwai, Admiral Fallow, Tide Lines, Belle & Sebastian, Arab Strap, The Twilight Sad, Twin Atlantic, etc).
Any particular career highlights?
In terms of highlights in Scotland:
My first show at the Barrowlands – Lighting Admiral Fallow 2012.
Lighting Admiral Fallow at the launch of the Hydro.
Travelling to Sweden with Belle & Sebastian for my first international show.
The Twilight Sad at Barrowlands 2022.
Other highlights include:
Multiple 5 star reviews of my show lighting Aurora at the Royal Albert Hall.
Doing a sold out Alexandra Palace with Jungle.
Doing 4 nights sold out at Brixton Academy with Jungle.
Having the opportunity to go to loads of highly regarded festivals (Glastonbury, Coachella, Lollapalooza Worldwide, Summer Sonic, Rock Werchter, Primavera, etc).
What are your plans for the future?
Aurora released her latest album, 'What Happened to the Heart?' in June and we have been out touring in support of that since then. We recently finished the European and UK legs, now moving onto Central, South and North America over the next couple of months. With Asia, Australia and more European shows to come in the new year.
Ronnie Phipps Social Media
Website: http://www.bigface.design
Facebook: @bigfacedesign
Twitter: @
Instagram: @bigface.design
YouTube: @
TikTok: @
The 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 30th November 2024 in Inverness Leisure Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Bands performing on Saturday 30th November include Julie Fowlis, Skipinnish, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers, An Dannsa Dub, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award winner 2024 Calum McIlroy and more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.