2025 Impact NextGen Honoree: Griffin Perkiel

GRIFFIN PERKIEL
Agent, Music
Independent Artist Group

PROUD AGENT MOMENT
Seeing Abby Anderson go from playing Stagecoach side stage to one year later playing the main stage.

Much like the protagonists we root for in movies, people in live music live by a code, one that gives them purpose and reminds them why they do what they do.

For Independent Artist Group music agent Griffin Perkiel, it’s simple: music makes people happy, and he’ll go to great lengths to provide that outlet to fans.

“That’s why I believe so strongly in what we do,” Perkiel says. “Everyone deserves the chance to experience the magic of live music. We need to find ways to make it affordable and accessible.”

It’s a good creed to live by for an agent, one Perkiel developed growing up in Park City, Utah, where major entertainment events like the Sundance Film Festival take place and the city would transform into a “Hollywood on the slopes.”

“With all the incredible films came unforgettable concerts featuring some of the biggest artists in the world,” Perkiel recalls. “Witnessing this transformation in my own backyard sparked something in me. I knew I wanted to find a way to be a part of the entertainment industry.”

He started out like many, working in the agency mailroom. Perkiel then moved on to ICM Partners as an assistant and booking coordinator for four years before IAG gave him a shot. His trajectory allowed him to learn from notable agents like Guy Richard, Eric Baker and Mike Hayes.

He learned about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and always showing up for your client, lessons that have helped him build a diverse roster with artists performing on major stages.

“One of the most rewarding moments was seeing my client Abby Anderson go from playing a side stage at Stagecoach to performing on the main stage just a year later,” Perkiel says. “I also had the chance to develop my DJ client, MC4D — discovering them on SoundCloud and helping turn them into a touring powerhouse, now playing over 80 shows a year. Signing artists like Two Feet, Cheat Codes, The Knocks, and BØRNS in the past year has been especially exciting and a true highlight of my career so far.”

Having an eclectic taste and an ear that appreciates all sounds is one of the advantages that Perkiel, 32, and many from his generation have in the business.

“My willingness to go above and beyond to help others succeed is something I take great pride in,” he says. “I was fortunate to have bosses who treated me like a true partner, which gave me a deeper sense of ownership and investment in my work.”