Live agent Mick Griffiths, who worked with Mogwai, The Go! Team and more, has died.
Griffiths was an agent at Asgard for 30 years before forming his own booking agency, Art & Industry, back in 2010.
The latter company released an official statement on Monday (October 11) to confirm that Griffiths “had passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer”.
“Mick was passionate about music and started his journey in the music industry as Social Secretary of Loughborough University where he studied Mechanical Engineering in the 1970s,” the message continued.
“He was very proud of the bands and solo artists on the Art & Industry roster, and their diverse range of musical genres mirrored his own eclectic tastes.”
The statement added: “Mick also had many interests outside of his work. He was an accomplished artist who painted under the pseudonym Schneider and his paintings were publicly exhibited twice in recent years. He also loved his football and was a lifelong fan of Queens Park Rangers. And of course, his love of music, which started at a very young age, never dimmed and it gave him enormous pleasure throughout his life.”
Art & Industry said they were “deeply saddened” by Griffiths’ death, writing that he would “always be remembered and missed by his friends and all who knew and worked with him”.
Following the news, tributes from the likes of Mogwai, The Go! Team and Ocean Colour Scene have been shared online. “We are devastated to hear that our friend and booking agent of over 25 years Mick Griffiths has died,” Mogwai wrote.
“Mick believed in us when not many others did. We’ll be eternally grateful for everything he did for us over the years. We wouldn’t be the band we are today without Mick. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Mick believed in us when not many others did. We’ll be eternally grateful for everything he did for us over the years. We wouldn’t be the band we are today without Mick. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Mogwai
(2/2)
— Mogwai (@mogwaiband) October 12, 2021
Ocean Colour Scene said: “We are very sad to hear the news that our friend and Tour agent Mick Griffiths has passed away. Mick has helped plan the tours for over 25 years since the days of our album Moseley Shoals. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.”
The Go! Team, meanwhile, told fans they were “gutted” over the news of Griffiths’ passing. “Mick was with us from the very beginning and such a genuine lover of music. RIP Mick,” they added.
The group’s label, Memphis Industries, also paid their respects. “Devastated to hear that our friend Mick Griffiths, agent to [The Go! Team] amongst many others, has passed away. A genuine inspiration to us for his independent spirit and passion for music and so much more besides. He’s going to be sadly missed.”
You can see those tributes and more below:
We are very sad to hear the news that our friend and Tour agent Mick Griffiths has passed away.
Mick has helped plan the tours for over 25 years since the days of our album Moseley Shoals.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family.https://t.co/CqEHiy0kYQ
OCS pic.twitter.com/ZgNc5lemNI
— Ocean Colour Scene (@OCSmusic) October 12, 2021
Gutted to hear our live booking agent Mick Griffiths has passed away. Mick was with us from the very beginning and such a genuine lover of music. RIP Mick.
— the go! team (@the_go_team) October 12, 2021
Devastated to hear that our friend Mick Griffiths, agent to @the_go_team amongst many others, has passed away. A genuine inspiration to us for his independent spirit and passion for music and so much more besides. He's going to be sadly missed.
— Memphis Industries (@memphisind) October 12, 2021
Gutted to hear of my old boss Mick Griffiths’ passing yesterday
We worked with many amazing acts and he was so passionate about them all. I’m eternally grateful for his friendship, support and advice through the years. The worlds a darker place today. A true gent RIP Mick
— Nina Jackson
(@ninadayjob) October 13, 2021
Julian’s tour agent, Mick Griffiths, has passed away. He was our friend & ally for nearly 30 years – he booked those 3 consecutive 1992-4 Highlands & Islands tours (essential for facilitating The Modern Antiquarian research). We are grateful to and will miss him so much
— Dorian Cope (@OnThisDeity) October 12, 2021
Sorry to hear Mick Griffiths has passed away . He booked The Gun Club in the 80’s . A wonderful person . R.I.P. https://t.co/V3WWkjlp8h
— Kid Congo Powers (@kidcongopowers) October 12, 2021
I just learned that we lost Mick Griffiths. Great agent. Booked Gun Club, Jesus and The Mary Chain and Green On Red. Did a mess of solo tours for me too. He really looked after us. He was well liked.
— Chuck Prophet (@ChuckProphet) October 11, 2021
Art & Industry’s current roster includes The Go! Team, Ocean Colour Scene, Julian Cope and The Jesus And Mary Chain. Mick Griffiths ran the agency alongside Dave Jennings, who previously worked at Helter Skelter.
“We represent a small but perfectly formed roster of internationally acclaimed artists, guiding them through all levels of touring around the World,” Art & Industry’s official website states.
“We only work with artists that we love and we believe that great artists develop and grow over many years. Mick has worked with many of his artists for over 20 years.”
The post Mogwai lead tributes to live agent Mick Griffiths who has died appeared first on NME.
