Kevin Hoskins has 20+ years of leadership and management experience, with a focus on helping businesses grow strategically and sustainably.
Hoskins grew up in Vermont where he developed an early appreciation for movies, music, and books. While studying Political Science and French at the University of Vermont, he discovered the vaults of the college radio station, WRUV, where he hosted a new music show and served as the station manager. This led to setting up DIY shows, booking tours, and handling radio promotion and publicity for record labels and management companies. (He also worked for MASS MoCA, helping with opening gala preparations, accounting, and publicity.
After moving to Boston, Hoskins started tour managing, taking care of artists (e.g. Nada Surf, Pilot to Gunner, Cristina Branco) on the road: advancing details with promoters, coordinating tour logistics, and looking after the tour expenses, as well as keeping the artists safe and happy.
During breaks from touring, he worked for a booking agency during the day – managing the office, administering contracts, and advancing tours – while handling hospitality for the bands playing The Middle East at night.
Located in the heart of Cambridge, MA, The Middle East features four rooms of music (and three restaurant spaces) and is one of the only independent venues in the Boston area. Hoskins became a booker for the venue in 2004. As the venue’s booking agent, he served as the main point of contact for artists’ representatives (including booking agents, managers, labels, and publicists), as well as bands, brands, promoters, and press.
Responsible for generating revenue for the business, he negotiated and confirmed deals on behalf of the venue. He also developed its marketing plan, supervised the promotion of all its concerts and events, and provided strategic management and leadership for the venue, managing its business operations and growth.
Highlights:
- Booked 500+ shows a year
- Demonstrated a yearly increase in the number of concerts, as well as revenue
- Won awards for Best Rock Venue, Best Hip-Hop Venue, and Best Mid-Sized Music Venue
Hoskins worked to make The Middle East a second home for both local and touring bands, as well as a cultural hub and economic driver for Cambridge’s Central Square. In addition, he created a series called Rock Shop with Steve Theo (of Pirate!) to increase camaraderie within the creative community by hosting meet-ups, speakers, films, and discussions.
In 2010, Hoskins moved to Austin, Texas to book Emo’s, the legendary 1,000-capacity concert outdoor venue, as well as its 300-capacity indoor club. His work there included booking and coordinating logistics for 42 showcases over the course of 10 days during South by Southwest.
In 2011, Hoskins returned to Boston and booked shows as an independent promoter at venues in the Boston area, eventually teaming up with CQ Presents to book Great Scott, T.T. the Bear’s, and O’Brien’s. He also launched Boston Showlist, a site listing concerts in the greater Boston area.
In 2013, he was hired to consult for The Middle East and Arts at the Armory. He developed a new business model for the Armory and worked to revive the venue’s relationships. He also participated in the Central Square Business Association’s strategic planning process, with the goal of making Central Square a better place to live, work, and play.
In 2014, he was recognized by the City of Cambridge:
Kevin’s work has helped to establish and maintain The Middle East as a premier music venue in Cambridge and fostered the artistic spirit of Central Square…helping to make Central Square a thriving Cultural District.
Hoskins was invited to teach artist management at Bay State College, focusing on the artist as an entrepreneur. The following semester, he developed a course on venue management that combined in-class interviews featuring music business professionals with site visits taking students to venues all over the city, from the intimate O’Brien’s rock club up to the 2,500-capacity House of Blues Boston.
In 2015, Hoskins launched Authentic Sounds, a music website. In 2016, he co-created a music festival called Title Town; tour managed L.A. Witch, Torres, and White Hinterland; and worked as an independent consultant to help entrepreneurs and startups.
His interest in business and entrepreneurship led him to The Sustainable Innovation MBA program at the University of Vermont. Focusing on sustainable business leadership, the program includes coursework in business strategy, finance, marketing, and management, as well as entrepreneurship, venture capital, business economics, CSR, operations & supply chains, public policy, community development, systems thinking, and leading for sustainable innovation.
To get in touch:
Kevin Hoskins 