The Giggs Podcast: #22 Jim Digby - Live From Lititz | When Stages Collapse and Crowds Riot
Jan 21, 2025
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At THE Conference: Live At Lititz, Giggs CEO Nikki Sanz sat down with Jim Digby. A veteran in live entertainment, has spent over 40 years navigating this world, working with legends like Linkin Park and Phil Collins, and co-founding the Event Safety Alliance (ESA). His journey, shaped by both triumph and tragedy, highlights why safety and leadership matter in this high-pressure industry.
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Finding His Passion
Jim’s love for the arts started young, thanks to a fifth-grade teacher who saw his potential and gave him a role in the school’s Mayday parade. From there, he found his tribe in the arts, which carried him through high school and into a career in live events.
After a short stint in college, he discovered his calling in technical roles, eventually working at Disney World and on major tours. Each step deepened his skills and reinforced his love for the industry.
Moments That Changed Everything
Jim’s career has been shaped by pivotal moments. One of the earliest was in the 1980s when a technical failure at a nightclub opening led to a tragic accident. “I was the one pushing the button,” he says, reflecting on the event that changed his perspective on safety.
Other incidents, like the Guns N’ Roses/Metallica tour riot in 1992 and Woodstock ’99, reinforced the importance of planning and leadership in preventing chaos. “These experiences made me hyper-conscious and toughened me,” Jim shares.
A Push for Safety
In 2011, the Indiana State Fair stage collapse became a turning point. Seven lives were lost due to preventable failures. Though not directly involved, Jim was deeply impacted. “Could this happen to me? How do I make sure it doesn’t?” he asked himself.
This led to the creation of the Event Safety Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to improving safety in live events. Jim highlights a key issue: while technical trades like rigging and lighting have training standards, production managers—the people leading events—often don’t. “We don’t do safety by plan; we do it by happenstance,” he explains.
Over the past 12 years, the ESA has worked to change that, offering training, guidelines, and advocacy to foster a culture of safety.
Leading with Care
Jim’s leadership style is rooted in collaboration and respect. With Linkin Park, he built what he calls “the next best team,” emphasizing that hard work should never overshadow the joy of being in the arts. “The hard part shouldn’t overwhelm the joy,” he says.
As he steps down as ESA president, Jim’s vision remains clear: integrate safety training into education and push for better leadership standards. “We need to ask more of those who lead these shows,” he emphasizes.
Looking Ahead
Jim’s journey is a reminder of the responsibility leaders have in live events. By championing safety and creating a culture of care, he’s ensuring the magic of live events continues—safely—for years to come.