How the Winners of the Skiddle Promoter Fund Used Their Grants: ACLP Events

As the deadline approaches for the first round of the 2024 Skiddle Promoter Fund, targeted at emerging event organisers in Northern Ireland, we’re reflecting on past winners and exploring how our grants have enriched their events and communities.

One of those previous winners, a now thriving event brand who benefited through a fund aimed at Scottish event organisers in November of last year, was ACLP Events or AC Live Promotions.

Managed by Ali Coban, a Glasgow native who’s been pushing the envelope of what can be expected from a clubbing experience in the growing cultural metropolis for many years, ACLP Events has become a well-known name among fans of techno in Scotland’s second city.

Having hosted some of the biggest talents in the genre, the likes of AZYR, Horsegiirl and TAALIAH, and introduced new live formats to Glaswegian dance fans in collaboration with a list of other renowned party brands, ACLP Events is fast on the rise, going from strength to strength with big plans of world domination.

We caught up with the main man behind the events label to understand the impact our funding had on ACLP Events and to learn why he thinks others in the industry should take a chance and apply for future Skiddle funds. Hear what he had to say below.

What have the funds that you secured enabled you to do at this event that you might not have been able to do otherwise?

“Thanks to the funds secured through the Skiddle Promoter Fund we were able to secure bigger local homegrown acts for our events who usually we might not of approached. It also gave us much needed breathing room with our event and relieved any financial stresses/concerns/risks that would come along with organising local level events.

If it wasn’t for the backing of the Skiddle Promoter Fund, we’d have likely had to pull our event which aimed to give talented local Scottish musicians a bigger platform.”

How important is it, as an upcoming promoter, to receive the sort of support and financial backing that you’ve received from Skiddle?

“Initiatives such as the Skiddle Promoter Fund are crucial for the continuous growth of local and new promoters. It can give those new to the game a chance to compete with the bigger more established names, an opportunity that they might not otherwise get. It also allows them to focus less on the financial side and gives them the chance to flex their creativity muscles when it comes to planning and marketing, and this in turn allows them to grow their audience by showing them what they can really offer if given the chance.”

 

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Why should other promoters apply for future Skiddle Promoter Fund initiatives?

“Because why wouldn’t you! It’s an amazing funding opportunity for promoters that has greatly helped us grow our business. It’s free and easy to apply for, and I would highly recommend taking advantage of it.”

What are the perks or advantages of using the Skiddle platform when promoting and selling tickets to events?

“Skiddle has a huge customer base, the ability to target event-goers directly through their mailing systems and in-app push notifications that help you reach a much larger audience that you might not have reached right off the bat. On top of this, they offer amazing 1-to-1 advice, going above and beyond to assist with any queries.”

What does the future hold for ACLP Events?

“The world is our oyster and the Sky is the limit. We recently made our international event debuts with shows in Ibiza and Malta, giving us a small taste of what there is out there. Its amazing that we are in this fortunate position to be able to organise shows all over the world now and the planet is massive so who knows where we might pop up next! Our aim is to continue to grow and see where this journey takes us. Our potential is limitless!”

If you’re an event organiser based in Northern Ireland in need of funding to get your creative event concepts off the ground, you’re in the right place. Simply click or tap on the link below and fill out our brief application form to have a chance of getting your hands on up to £1000 to put toward organising an event in Northern Ireland this summer.

Applications for this round of funding close on Sunday 30th June. Get yours in now before it’s too late. Good luck!