Partner spotlight: EPICompany
We work with many amazing partner organisations and individuals – producers, community groups and more – who play a HUGE part in helping us do what we do. We want to give them a little shout-out in a series of ‘Partner spotlights’; first up, we have the brilliant EPICompany.
EPICompany works with Back to Ours to put on many of our city-wide events, including Sharrabang and Christmas – showcasing their first-class event management and tech skills.
Here, their director Joshua Matheson-Bell gives us the lowdown on all things EPICompany – and tells us what The Prodigy and The Wurzels have in common…
Name: Joshua Matheson-Bell
Job title: Company Director, EPICompany Limited
How long have you worked with your organisation? 10 years
Tell us in a sentence what your organisation does:
We deliver world-class event management and advanced technical solutions that elevate events, festivals, corporate productions and installations.
Whereabouts in Hull are you based?
We’re on Alfred Street, near Smith & Nephew. You can’t miss our sign if you’re coming into Hull on the A63 just over the flyover.
How long have you worked with Back to Ours?
We have worked with the amazing Back to Ours family since its creation and built a strong friendship with all the team.
What is the best Back to Ours event you’ve worked on?
Sharrabang, Secret Gig, Back to Bransholme…… too many! But if I have to pick one, it’s got to be the Christmas Parade. An event that has so many different elements, and a fleet of vehicles like you’ve never seen, with open top buses, a land train, trailers, bubble cars and so much more.
We provide technical services to many of the vehicles providing a power, audio and lighting solutions that create a really festive look and feel. Alongside this, we support the Back to Ours team with the event management and safe operation of the parade, as it moves around the city. We love this event as we get to see so many happy smiling faces. (Be sure to give me a wave as I lead the parade!)
Best thing about working with Back to Ours?
The team! It’s an absolute joy to work with such a passionate and dedicated team. Their love for the community shines through in every spectacular event they create, bringing arts and culture to every corner of Hull and making sure everyone feels included. We honestly couldn’t imagine Hull without them! (Note – we didn’t pay him extra to say that 😊.)
What’s your favourite place in Hull?
It has to be the Fruit Market/Marina. It’s an area that has been rejuvenated, full of independent bars, eateries and shops, while still retaining its history. I love walking to the Marina, being near the river, taking in the fresh air and views of the water. And we can’t forget the brilliant Humber Street Sesh festival, which takes over that part of the city for a weekend. It’s a true area of culture.
What’s the best/most memorable cultural event you’ve experienced?
Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017 brought such an abundance of cultural events and festivals from all corners of the world, from small intimate one-man bands to full city scale illumination events. It really was a spectacle.
Live music is a huge passion of mine – outside of the city, some of the best production value shows I have seen are The Prodigy, Scissor Sisters, Scooter, The Lancashire Hotpots and The Wurzles, just to name a few!