The Giggs Podcast: #25 Scott Welch | “The Band Goes On at 8PM - That’s the Payoff”

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. 

Scott Welch is an artist manager, tour manager, investor, consultant, advisor, and dear friend. Scott has spent decades managing multi-platinum artists like Alanis Morissette, LeAnn Rimes, Steve Perry, Paula Abdul, and Collective Soul. In the tech world, he helped launch MP3.com’s $370 million IPO and invested in StubHub, which later sold to eBay for $310 million. Today, Scott is behind the development of various companies, including Soundstripe, XPERIA, Single Music, Eva, AtoZ Sports, the LERNER Theatre, and his favorite, Giggs.

Listen to the whole episode now! Click here to listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube!

The Grand Piano That Won a Grammy

When Jagged Little Pill became the biggest album in Warner Brothers’ history, Scott pushed for Alanis Morissette to get a meaningful gift—a Steinway piano. Weeks later, she called him and said, “The song happened in the middle of the night.” That song? Uninvited, which won a Grammy. It’s proof that small moves behind the scenes can make a huge impact.

Touring: The Reality Check

Scott believes artist development isn’t about chasing fame—it’s about doing what’s right. Instead of throwing Alanis straight into arenas, he had her start in small clubs. “We played a 500-seat club in San Diego, and 2,000 people were outside trying to get in.” That kind of organic buzz helped her build confidence and stay grounded before scaling up.

The Hardest Job in Music?

“Touring is the only job where you work and live together,” Scott says. “You finish a 16-hour day, maybe get a shower, get on a bus with snoring people, and do it all again.” Beyond long hours, managers deal with egos, crises, and unpredictable situations. “You can lead them to water, but you can’t stop them from jumping in and drowning.”

From Touring to Tech

Scott has always been ahead of the curve, investing in game-changing companies like StubHub and mp3.com. Now, he’s helping shape Giggs, a platform revolutionizing how live event professionals find work.

Advice for the Next Generation

Scott keeps it real:

• Love it or leave it. If you’re not passionate, the grind will break you.

• Trust your gut. Your instincts will guide you.

• Stay scrappy. Nothing happens overnight. Put in the work.

Success isn’t just about talent—it’s about building the right team. “The secret to being a good entrepreneur is learning how to build a quality team.”