In the spotlight: Leading Executive Seth Dodson shares insights into the highlights of orchestrating the Pitchfork Music Festival in Mexico City, his background in orchestrating live events, and the specifics of his tour rider.
Kindly provide a glimpse into your persona. How did you come to be associated with Condé Nast? For 8 years, I have been in service here. My origins trace back to the local music milieu of Chicago, where I held the reins as the program overseer at The Hideout, a treasured, intimate locale. The Hideout annually orchestrates a street carnival, which provided me with ample exposure to large-scale concert management. Initially recruited as a Marketing Associate, my trajectory has gracefully veered toward my enthusiasm for live events over the past few years.
How do you elucidate your vocation to acquaintances and kinfolk?
Occasionally, I portray it as a vocation straight out of a trance! This profession has afforded me encounters with numerous luminaries in the music realm, global voyages, and a profound comprehension of media and reportage. My kinfolk can scarcely fathom that I hold the position of Executive Director within such a substantial entity, considering my modest origins as an aspirant actor and proprietor of a modest club. Nonetheless, they harbor immense pride in my achievements.
What renders Mexico City such a captivating and distinctive locale for hosting a music fiesta? What are the attendant challenges?
Mexico City pulsates with vitality and exudes allure, a place I hold dear and frequent often from my abode in El Paso, TX. Our esteemed collaborators in CDMX, Indie Rocks, spearhead the festival’s production on the ground, thereby endowing it with a distinctiveness that showcases numerous local talents, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between Pitchfork and CDMX by spotlighting some of their finest artists and introducing them to our audience. Challenges abound as this marks the inaugural edition; thus, our primary focus is public outreach and raising awareness.
Who, in your estimation, is the most underrated performer on the festival roster?
I am particularly enamored with Debby Friday, an artist who has garnered attention from Pitchfork. Her fusion of R&B and avant-garde electronic sounds is both audacious and inviting, and I am eagerly anticipating her performance.
If you were to embark on a musical tour, what provisions would you include in your rider?
I have a penchant for indulging in junk sustenance while on the move. Thus, opting for some wholesome snacks would be a prudent choice. However, a crunchwrap supreme would also likely find its way onto the list.
