The Giggs Podcast: #23 Mike Bolton & Lisa Bruno - Live From Lititz | Wardrobe on Tour - Behind the Seams
Jan 28, 2025
Welcome to The Giggs Podcast! Giggs is the career platform for live event professionals. We're starting this podcast because there's not nearly enough content out there about what it really takes to be on the road. Whether you're an aspiring tour manager, a seasoned backline tech, or just getting started in the business, this podcast is for you. We're taking you behind the scenes to explore the highs and the lows of life gigging on the Giggs Podcast.
At THE Conference: Live At Lititz, Giggs CEO Nikki Sanz sat down with Lisa Bruno, a music industry veteran with over 20 years of experience working with legendary artists like Ricky Martin, Aerosmith, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. Lisa’s versatile career spans wardrobe, talent support, production coordination, and artist care. She also owns a boutique backstage furniture rental company, combining creativity with logistical expertise to enhance live events.
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A Serendipitous Start
Lisa’s journey began in the late 1990s, balancing fashion design studies with a catering job. Working backstage, she quickly realized her ability to multitask and create ambiance could be translated into wardrobe management. Her first major break? Touring with Ricky Martin at the height of his career.
“I turned 21 in Seoul, Korea,” Lisa reminisces. “Traveling the world and doing what I loved felt surreal.” From there, her career skyrocketed, leading to roles with Aerosmith, Sting, and beyond.
Dressing the Stars
Lisa’s work isn’t just about fashion—it’s about storytelling. Each artist’s wardrobe contributes to their stage persona. “With Lady Gaga, it was insane,” Lisa recalls. “Handling Philip Treacy hats and Vivienne Westwood pieces, you’re not just managing clothes; you’re preserving art.”
Wardrobe management also requires quick thinking. Lisa recounts one memorable mishap during a Born This Way performance: “Gaga’s Versace jumpsuit ripped mid-show, with Versace representatives in the audience. It was chaos, but Gaga owned it like the professional she is.”
A New Chapter: Artist Backstage
With two young children and decades of touring experience, Lisa’s career has evolved. Alongside her business partner Gina, Lisa co-founded Artist Backstage, a boutique company offering wardrobe, hospitality, and backstage furniture rentals. Their mission? To make artists feel at home on the road.
“Creating a comfortable, consistent environment for artists is crucial,” Lisa explains. “When they’re at ease, the entire production benefits.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Lisa is passionate about bringing new talent into the industry. “We need more young people interested in trades like wardrobe, shoemaking, and costume design,” she says. “Live entertainment is only getting bigger, and there’s room for so much creativity.”
Lisa’s legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether she’s sewing someone into a costume minutes before a show or transforming a locker room into a luxurious dressing area, Lisa’s work proves that the magic of live events often begins behind the scenes. And with Artist Backstage, she’s ensuring that magic lives on—for artists and crews alike. If you’re dreaming of a career in live events, Lisa’s story is your sign to take the leap.