Meet the man behind festivals including BST Hyde Park, All Points East, Lido, Forwards, Roundhay Festival and Rock en Seine.

While enjoying some much-needed shade under the ancient oaks backstage at BST, Access All Areas’ Chris Barrett caught up with Jim King to discuss his eventful career path.

Jim got his first taste of promoting events at school. Now CEO UK & European Festivals at AEG Presents, he is one of the international industry’s leading players.

After meeting James Barton in a Liverpool record shop, Jim played an integral part in the rise of clubbing empire Cream. Since he branched out into festivals with the launch of Creamfields, Jim has been involved in the launch of many remarkable events. Before joining AEG, he was behind the debut of festivals including RockNess and Bestival, and in 2004 he launched his own event production agency Loud Sound – now known as LS Events.

Among the many subjects touched on are how Jim brought his initial vision for BST Hyde Park to life in 2013, and its evolution since. He also discusses the launch of Leeds’ Roundhay Festival this summer, and the next steps for the event after the inaugural edition attracted an attendance of more than 100,000.

Having been an independent promoter for many years, Jim outlines why he believes independent festivals are more important than ever. “The UK is the leading festival market and that comes from the independent sector,” he says.

As well as making suggestions that if implemented would help put independent festivals in a stronger position, Jim discusses other pertinent industry-wide issues and offers advice to budding promoters.

A stunning mix of beautiful mountain scenery, fresh snow, some crazy skiing and brilliant comedy from the likes of Jason Byrne, Paul Smith, Deirdre O'Kane, Emmanuel Sonubi and Al Murray – Altitude Festival really is in a league of its own.

In between the knockout standup comedy and knockdown slope descents, we recorded an episode of the AAA Backstage Podcast with promoter Brett Vincent and the event's co-founder, comedian, Marcus Brigstocke.

Among the many topics covered were the logistics of staging the Clown Hill ski and snowboard race involving both fans and comedians, getting huge stars such as Al Murray and Paul Smith to play intimate venues in the mountains, the camaraderie between everyone involved on both sides of the stage, and how the festival team’s work to keep the event fresh has involved everything from setting fire to the high street to drum and bass pool parties.

Geoff Ellis’ decision to let Oasis join the bill at Glasgow’s tiny King Tut’s venue in 1993 led to the then unknown Manchester band being signed to Creation Records by Alan McGee. Last year, Ellis promoted Oasis’ three sold-out nights at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium. It was a full-circle moment for the experienced promoter, whose remarkable career is not short of highlights.

DF Concerts CEO, Geoff is the latest festival supremo to take the hot seat for another episode of the AAA Backstage podcast series, which explores what lies behind festivals and their instigators.

From making soup for Radiohead to staging an open-air mass for Pope Benedict, and launching Scotland’s biggest festival, Ellis’ 40-year career in the live music industry has seen him come a very long way since he started out as ents manager at Middlesex Poly, booking the likes of The Stone Roses.

Last year, DF Concerts generated £165 million for the Scottish economy, having promoted 17 major outdoor concerts and festival show days including TRNSMT and the Edinburgh Summer Sessions.

Recorded live at the Access All Areas Leaders’ Summit, this episode finds Geoff discussing everything from the early days of T In The Park and how that landmark Oasis gig came about to his brush with journalism, the evolution of the industry, the challenges facing the festival sector, and his advice for the next generation of promoters.

“It’s not an easy industry, but it is a great one” he says.