Mark Adams says founding Blinding Talent in 2020 remains his biggest career achievement. Six years later, the company has overseen hundreds of artists’ careers as independent acts face rising touring costs.
Adams has worked in management for 19 years. His current roster at Blinding Talent includes:
- My Life As A Moth
- Catlea
- Sabina Beyli
- Honeybadger
- Molly Warburton
- UCHAYE
From music television to management
Adams began managing artists in 2007 while serving as Head of Music at Kerrang! TV. Metal band Forever Never approached him, offering an opportunity to move from music programming into management.
During his first year with the band, he secured a support tour with Stone Sour.
He founded Blinding Talent during the COVID pandemic, when live music and touring had stopped. Warburton became the company’s first signing, a milestone Adams identifies as the start of its work with artists.
Artist milestones
Brighton indie band Honeybadger reached one million organic streams. Adams cites that result as an example of the company’s approach delivering growth without major-label backing.
D3LTA has accumulated millions of streams and sold out shows across the UK and Greece. Adams also identifies the artist’s performance at The Great Escape as a career milestone.
For Adams, successful working days involve plans delivering results, whether through an editorial placement affecting streams, content reaching audiences or advice helping an artist.
He describes difficult days as those dominated by immediate problems, leaving less time to develop and execute longer-term plans.
Touring costs, platforms and AI
Adams identifies competition for attention across online platforms as a central challenge. He argues that artists need coordinated plans covering social media, streaming and live performances.
He also says rising travel, crew and promotion costs are squeezing touring margins for independent and emerging artists. Managers must assess whether a tour can support growth or requires funding from other activities.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another concern, affecting music discovery, marketing and creation. Adams says Blinding Talent uses it selectively while retaining human responsibility for artist relationships and strategic decisions.
He also supports more formal professional standards in management, citing managers’ responsibility for artists’ careers and livelihoods.
Certification and current listening
Adams completed his Music Managers Forum (MMF) Artist Manager Certification in 2026. He says the programme helped formalise his knowledge of the standards supporting sustainable management.
He is an MMF Certified Manager, a designation recognising his professional knowledge and experience. Adams also values the organisation’s network as a place for managers to exchange experience.
His current listening includes Twat Union, Stella Lefty, Ella Langley, Olivia Dean and Sienna Spiro.
Adams says he has renewed his interest in country music, with Stella Lefty and Ella Langley featuring regularly in his Spotify listening.
