Meet the Down for the Count team: Ali Brown
For our next Meet the Band article, we're heading front-of-house! Ruby has been catching up with our front-of-house manager and tour manager, the life and soul of the party, a man who has never been witnessed in the act of sleeping, and an integral part of the Down for the Count operation - the one and only Ali Brown.
How/when did you first get involved with Down for the Count?
My first tour with them was in spring 2022. I had seen the All-Stars quite a few times before, being friends Mike and his wife Ellie, but I hadn’t seen much of the Orchestra until my first tour with them.
What does your role entail?
Front of house operations - so setting up the merchandise at each venue; checking into hotels for all the members of the Orchestra; an awful lot of driving of one of the vans or company vehicles. Supplying Mike with a flat white is also important.
Sometimes I have to organise lunches on rehearsal days, and then most importantly, find somewhere to go after the concert has finished for a drink or two.
What’s your favourite Down for the Count song?
After You’ve Gone is up there for me. Or, if it’s the Christmas tour, it has to be This Christmas or Angel.
What do you do when you’re not on tour with Down for the Count?
Lots of different things. I am in play at the moment, so I do a bit of acting. I also do a little bit of work in television, either question writing for quiz shows or a bit of assistant producing on sports coverage as well - mainly cricket highlights, and other sports as well like football and cycling.
What is the best part about being involved with Down for the Count?
I think just being away on tour with everyone. They’re such a lovely group, and it’s good fun. Just seeing the talented musicians perform each night is a real treat as well.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I went to see P!nk in Cardiff in June. In terms of production value and the aerial stuff she does - the end of the show was basically just her flying across the stage and standing on different podiums. It was really great.
What are your hobbies when you are not working?
I love sports, especially cricket. I love going to the theatre and reading as well.
About the author
Ruby Willis is Down for the Count's marketing and communications officer. When she is not writing Facebook posts and making Instagram reels, she is often performing in short films or physical theatre shows.
