VIVA SOUNDS 2025 - STOP BEING AN ASSHOLE, PLZ - What Happens When Pressure Takes Over?

How to keep cool when the heat is on Things go wrong. Fast. People freak out, gigs get messy, and deals can implode. But the real pros know how to stay calm, de-escalate, and turn chaos into something that still works. This talk is all about keeping your head when everyone else is losing theirs — in live environments, backstage, with venues, artists, managers, or whoever’s melting down in front of you. We’ll share stories, strategies, and maybe a few scars from the field. Staying professional means knowing when to lose it, and when not to lose it.

Søren Weiss - Nightcrawler Management, DK Runa Strindin - Midgardsblot Festival, NO Jorge Dias - GigRocks!, PT Chair: Jose Carlos Santos, The Devil's Mouth, PT