2026 Women of Live: Joyce Smyth

Joyce Smyth
Glastry | CEO

“Joyce always knows just what to do. She doesn’t run from problems, she solves them. But what separates her is her unique ability to personally relate to her artists. She puts them in a place where they thrive creatively.” — John Meglen & Paul Gongaware, Co-CEOs, Concerts West, an AEG Presents company

An attorney by trade, Joyce Smyth learned the unique business of managing The Rolling Stones at the side of her mentor and legendary Stones business manager Prince Rupert Loewenstein.

Her journey with the band began as the head of private practice at the Theodore Goddard firm in 1990, leaving to form her own firm Smyth Barkham, with the Stones as lead client.

When Prince Rupert retired in 2010, Smyth became the Rolling Stones’ manager under her Glastry management firm.
“I morphed from the law into management and from there obviously have become very much involved in the live industry,” Smyth told Pollstar. “I consider myself very lucky indeed, particularly as the Rolling Stones entrusted me with doing their live work at a time where I really had to learn as I went along.”

Safe to say, Smyth learned exceedingly well. Beginning with the band’s 50th anniversary tour in 2012, the Rolling Stones have grossed an astonishing $1.4 billion at the box office, moving more than 7 million tickets around the globe, according to Pollstar Boxoffice.

As is typical with the Stones, little is said of their business publicly, although Smyth did weigh in for the purposes of Pollstar’s Women Of Live. In this regard, Smyth lived up to her reputation for playing things close to the vest with the Stones, but did sing the praises of some of Glastry’s younger clients and the paths necessary for them to achieve success.

“It is very tiresome to be cryptic, but some of Glastry’s business successes this year must remain under wraps just for a little longer!” she said.

“What I would like to stress, however, are the successes of some of our company’s younger acts in the live arena. I think in particular of the bands Pretty Jane and Bluphoria in the USA and in the UK Pat Hamilton, a Scottish singer songwriter and Ewan Sim from Manchester, all of whom have made significant inroads and should be applauded for doing so into the live arena this year. It has served as a reminder that we must support our smaller sized grassroots venues globally to allow for emerging talent to raise their profile.”

Asked about the state of women in the live business, Smyth is optimistic the stage is set for continued success in a challenging environment. “I think women are uniquely placed to do extremely well, notwithstanding the fact that times are extremely tough worldwide for the live business. In truth, music is booming, despite all, and I think women have a unique capacity to be organized and resilient, but also empathetic to the artist and to all those who are members of the live team.

“I think women should not feel restricted in what they think they can do,” Smyth continued, “whether it be from the management, the promoter or from the crew side of the live business. Go for it!”

Asked for any advice to young women in the business, Smyth said, “Keep pushing forward, but try to find a balance between your professional and your personal lives. It is undoubtedly much more difficult for women than men, even in this day and age, to combine having a family with a successful career but it can be done. Think too of Cinderella – have courage at all times, but try to be kind.”

As for her own philosophy that guides her career, Smyth says “Work hard, stay focused and do not give up, even if there are times when you think you are going one step forwards and three steps backwards.”

Smyth cited the expertise of the Glastry team as playing a key role in achieving balance in her own world. Asked who else impresses, she named, “Sarah Dando from the Rolling Stones team who, as well as being a digital guru, masterminds fan presales – a very tricky task at times to ensure an optimal fan experience. I would also like to see Kelly Di Stefano from Concerts West included [on the Women of Live list] not least for her amazing ability with maths and ticket scaling.”

As for what’s coming up next with the World’s Greatest, Smyth reverted to form. “Again, I apologize for being vague, but there are two particularly exciting projects that have not yet been announced – one in the live space and the other not. Please keep your ears and eyes open in the next 4-6 weeks.”