Russell Phillips
Music Events Promoter & Founder of Sonar Presents
Bio
SAE London Music Business alumnus Russell Phillips has carved out an exciting career in the live events and music industry, now leading his own artist platform, Sonar Presents, which champions independent musicians across the UK.
Since graduating in 2022, Russell has gained extensive experience across live music, festivals, and event management. While still completing his studies, he co-founded a promotions company with a fellow student, building relationships with venues such as The Finsbury and The Hope & Anchor, and collaborating with music-led brands like Signature Brew.
In 2023, Russell joined Pub in the Park festivals as an Event Promoter, where he curated opening acts and local artists for all ten locations on the national tour. His responsibilities also included marketing key events, from the Wimbledon opening to the launch of a brand-new festival in Reigate.
It was during this time that Russell began developing the concept for Sonar Presents, after noticing the lack of fair performance opportunities and visibility for emerging musicians. Determined to address this imbalance, he set out to create a platform that could amplify new voices and connect artists directly with audiences.
In 2024, Russell became Stage Manager at The Cheese & Grain in Frome, overseeing shows by artists including Jake Bugg and CMAT, as well as stage productions with Johnny Vegas and talks with Ricky Hatton. A standout moment in this role was supporting rehearsals for Coldplay’s Glastonbury headline performance.
Alongside his venue work, Russell developed a strong freelance portfolio, contributing to major projects such as RuPaul’s DragCon at London ExCeL and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships’ Queue Village.
In 2025, Russell officially launched Sonar Presents, a digital platform and live events brand dedicated to supporting independent talent. Curated by a team of experienced industry professionals, Sonar Presents connects listeners to emerging artists through curated streaming playlists, spotlight content, and live sessions. The brand’s first major project, Sonar Presents Live, debuts in October 2025 with an Indie Rock Tour showcasing three rising bands, concluding with a headline show at The Water Rats, London on 3 November.
Some of Russell’s career highlights include:
- Programming and marketing across ten Pub in the Park festival locations nationwide
- Serving as Stage Manager at The Cheese & Grain, supporting artists and major acts such as Coldplay
- Managing large-scale events including RuPaul’s DragCon and Wimbledon’s Queue Village
- Co-founding and launching Sonar Presents, a platform promoting independent musicians
- Building lasting partnerships with London venues and music brands
Russell credits SAE London with providing the foundation for his success, offering practical experience, industry connections, and the confidence to launch his own venture.
“SAE gave me the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and apply what I learned in real-world contexts,” Russell reflects. “That combination of creativity and professionalism was key in building my career.”
His advice for future SAE students is:
“Take full advantage of every opportunity SAE offers. Be proactive, get involved, and say yes to as many experiences as possible – you never know where they might lead.”
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Our degree will provide you with the skills, experience and knowledge to succeed at the highest level in the sector.
