Impact NextGen: Ben Bryan

Ben Bryan
Talent Buyer
Another Planet Entertainment

Ben Bryan celebrates 10 years with Another Planet Entertainment, which he joined as an intern two days after graduating from the University of California, Davis, north of Sacramento, where he’d been the college talent buyer.

He now books concerts and festivals across the San Francisco Bay Area, including the 20th anniversary of The Independent, which is independently operated and promoted by Another Planet Entertainment. The event was, for Bryan, “a full-circle moment. We did a week of underplays with acts like Andre 3000, Young the Giant, Neil Frances, Tycho, Trixie Mattel, Emotional Oranges, Tokimonsta and Reggie Watts.

“I’ve been going to The Independent since I was 21. Before I was of age, I would see my favorite bands on the calendar and count down the days until I could finally see a show in the room. Twelve years and many hundreds of shows later, I’m booking one of my favorite
clubs in the world. Booking the room for the big 2-0 was incredibly special.”

He also cites as a career highlight the launching this year of the new version of SOMA, a house and techno stage at Outside Lands, APE’s landmark destination festival at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

“I’m a big fan of dance music and SOMA is a passion project,” Bryan says. “This year, we moved the stage from a tent to the outdoors, expanding its capacity in order to accommodate the heavy demand we’ve seen since its inception in 2021.”

Bryan acknowledges the advantages his generation brings to the table.

“Adapting to changes in technology at a younger age definitely had its advantages. So much of our jobs rely heavily on the digital space, it’d be nearly impossible to be successful without it these days. We now have the data and metrics to improve output tenfold, whether you’re a promoter, manager, agent, band, label, etc.”

But Bryan also hails those who came before.

“I’m lucky to work with some of the best to have ever done it, Gregg Perloff and Sherry Wasserman. The ethos they have created at APE is special and not something you find everywhere in this industry.

“I also want to shout out the rest of APE’s booking team who have shown me the way: Allen Scott, Bryan Duquette, Eric Barleen and Nick Barrie. They’ve all been mentors in their own way and played a large part in shaping the booker I am today.”