Summer finally seems to be taking shape, Europe’s on holiday, the Olympics having kicked off and we sense finding a vocation has taken a back seat for some. And why not? Britain’s festival season is in full swing… And with this in mind, we’d like to congratulate Emma who won the latest WEXO Competition on Facebook for 2 tickets to Bestival. We look forward to seeing you there Emma. Lets hope the weather Gods are kinder this time and that Bestivalarians of 2012 don’t get a repeat of The Isle of Wight fest back in June, when the heavens opened, unleashing a month’s worth of rain in the space of 24 hours.

We asked 2 WEXO hires on the music sync team at Platinum Rye Entertainment (whose offices we share) what the 4 best festivals coming up are. With Latitude, Field Day, The Secret Garden Party and Hideout having already been, they suggested the following:

End of the Road (31st August – 2nd September, 2012)
The Independent described it as, “Simply one of the most magical, inspiring and intimate festivals of the summer” and we couldn’t agree more! Started in 2006, the organisers’ aim is to “organise an intimate festival with our favourite artists, and with a friendly and relaxed feel”. They only book artists they personally like, which makes the line-up on offer far more interesting than many other festivals. The favourite bands of ours on the line-up are Midlake, First Aid Kit, Anna Calvi, Beachhouse and Alt J.

Wilderness (10th – 12th August 2012)
Seven years in the making, Wilderness is the brainchild of the people behind Secret Garden Party and Lovebox. Set in the ancient parkland of the Cornbury Estate, it has something of the feel of a pint-sized Latitude, without the endless queues and hordes of teenagers. And finally, we can’t mention Wilderness without talking about the wood fired hot tubs. Enough said? We thought so.

Standon Calling (3rd – 5th August, 2012)
The independent music festival slash themed summer party, Standon Calling, returns to the grounds of a 16th Century Hertfordshire manor house and promises a unique chance to see some hotly tipped acts, in an intimate festival setting. This year is promising a different format to the weekend. Whatever is it, we know it’s going to be good. We also understand that it’s the only UK festival with a swimming pool!

Bestival (6th – 9th September, 2012)
With Glastonbury taking a sabbatical, the main event on everyone’s festival calendar is Bestival and with it’s eclectic line up including New Order, the xx, Azealia Banks and Stevie Wonder, we can’t say we’re surprised! The festival has since grown steadily year-on-year and it’s now reached its current capacity of 50,000! The double economic dip has seen some popular festivals struggle to draw in the crowds this season but Bestival’s A-class offering has succeeded in attracting it’s enthusiastic audience, as keen as ever to be a part of it. If you’re going to go to one festival this summer, make it this one. We’ll be there with Mano de Dios (who Robin manages) and we look forward to seeing Emma and anyone else who’s going on location.

Blog courtesy of Charlotte at The Eleven

Looking for a job in the music business is incredibly intimidating and can be a soul destroying process. Six Months into a colossal search I came across WEXO.

After applying to a Music syncing company I visited ‘WEXO Towers’ to have a good old fashioned informal chat with Robin. In my experience, the average recruitment consultant just wants his commission even if you end up in a tortuous role. Robin actually seemed more concerned that I followed my ‘dream’.

I went away with much more clarity and continued to crack on and whittle down my options.

Six months later I’m sitting in a cool, spacious office overlooking the Strand, working as Robin’s assistant. I’ve organised an album launch for Mano de Dios, am putting together a 2012 gig schedule and am overseeing the shooting of a music video. To add another string to my bow I’ve been helping recruit 90 Deputy Logistics Managers (most of them graduates) for UPS at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Sometimes talking to graduates and people looking to build their careers in something exciting and innovative is surreal – because it was me last year, and now I’m helping them (with the assistance of the WEXO team’s guidance and their vast network and knowledge).

There is never a dull moment, not with such variety. One day I can be in the office finding suitable candidates for fresh roles, the next I can be checking out a picking up a ham for our office lunch from shop a in Battersea. My favourite part is the learning and the company.

There are some incredible opportunities out there but you have to dig deep. Sometimes you have to take the ‘scenic route’ but there is nothing better than actually ending up somewhere you look forward to going to each day.

I’ll wrap it up there, I have some ham to eat.

Dominique Edmonds