Normally we always leave private matters off places like this but we think this is in the best interest of any artists/promoters involved in the scene to read this account of our recent experience with Damien Henshaw of New Religion.

We were booked by Damien Henshaw to play New Religion for their 9th February event this year. We decided to accept the booking even though we’ve had issues in the past with money. After our set on the night, as we were heading to the club office to get paid we were stopped by someone very well known and respected in the scene (we’re not going to name name’s) who warned us not to accept a cheque. When we got to the office, Damien tried to cut us down on price (again) and when we stuck to our guns, he issued us with a cheque stating that he had no money there (?). Days later he bounced the cheque and sent this email to us…

Hi Guys
Hope you're both well!
Just a quick email basically the long and short of it we have had major issues getting all of the ticket money from the 9th Feb event so we have had to cancel a few cheques inc yours untill all the money is in to prevent bounced cheques.
Do you have a contact number i can get you on so i can let you know the status on the money.
I’m really sorry this has happened i will keep you updated on progress when it happeneds.
Kind Regards
Daimen Henshaw
Managing Director
One Media Group

...After sending this email we heard nothing from him for a couple of weeks even though we’d been trying to contact him for an update, then he replied again...

Hi Mate
Appologies i've just come across this email.
I'm really sorry about all of this the long and short of it a promoter who will remain nameless who i've known and worked with for years, was ment to be paying on the monday after the event, he didnt have all the ticket money on the night i gave him the benifit of the doubt and has basicly done a runner with £1000 of ticket money.
We are tying our best to recover the money but it isnt looking good at the moment, of course you will be paid for the proformance but it will have to be paid out of my own money in installments
Im really sorry this is has happened and i will try and get this cleared with you asap.
Kind Regards
Daimen Henshaw
Managing Director
One Media Group

...Since this email we’ve heard nothing from him. He’s ignored all our attempts to contact him and so it looks like we’re not getting paid for our set which consisted of a 7 hour round trip, which now looks like it’ll be at our own cost.

It’s a mystery to us that he can’t afford to pay us for our efforts and yet he still manages to find the capital to put on another massive event, where he’s even bragging that 80% of tickets have already been sold (suggesting that he’s doing just fine for cash!)

We do not want to take this course of action but feel it is necessary to name and shame this con-man and prevent more of our fellow artists and performers being ripped off. From talking to people of our experience we're realising more and more people also have had similar issues in the past with him, and as a result are becoming aware of Damien’s shady tactics. We’re sure it won’t be long before he runs out of people to work with, but in the mean time please make sure you get a contract and 100% of your fee’s up front before playing or working for NU Religion.

We thought about this before posting but we really felt that a promoter who takes advantage of his artists should be exposed. We both promote our own events and have always paid every artist their agreed fee regardless of the outcome of the event. After all, if a promoter doubles their expected profit no DJ would get a bonus, so the least a promoter can do is pay the artists agreed fee. Obviously it is up to each individual as to whether they take a booking from Damien but at least now you can make your decision with a little bit more information as to how he does business.
Please can all clubbers refrain from any unnecessary comments as we haven’t put this on here to start people bitching. We just felt certain people needed to know of our experience and felt this way was the best way to let these people know. If he had responded to any of our calls/emails etc this wouldn't have been necessary.

C&J

thats well sad. buds in.

not the first time and certainly not the last if people continue to work with him. he did the same with

daddybidz

and jimmehf

a bit quick to call yourself a promoter Nat

meaning?

As discussed, you being a promoter was off my radar a bit, sorry... thought you only had the one new night as you were more a photographer with an invested interested... I stand corrected!

I kind of know this guy as he's from the town I live in and I have heard these sort of complaints about him but I do know that the promoters from Nu religion lost a lot of money from their last event, I would have thought that he just genuinely doesn't have the money?

Its still out of order not paying you though..

Its still out of order not paying you though..

When putting a night on,you should always have the money in case the night does flop,no excuse ! !!

When putting a night on,you should always have the money in case the night does flop,no excuse ! !!

If the worst does happen and it's absolutely unavoidable that you can't pay someone on the night then you ought to be looking to remedy the situation as soon as possible.

Dragging it out this long is not on

ive seen thread after thread about this guy in the promoters forum, aswell as elsewhere someone needs to take this con man to court. and imo he deserves to go to jail he's ripped people of left right and center for a good year now ! i also think dsi should ban him and his company from the site as he is using it aid him in his cons.

If the worst does happen and it's absolutely unavoidable that you can't pay someone on the night then you ought to be looking to remedy the situation as soon as possible.

Definitely, not ignore all phone calls and emails and then go spending an absolute fortune on your next event! If he genuinely did not have the money to pay then how did he manage to put on such a big follow up event?

As many people have said, this is not the first time this has happened but I hope its the last and people are aware if they do decide to work with him in the future!

At the end of the day, these boys spent a lot of their time and money to go to this gig to make it a success for him and he has shit on them.

Out of order!

wot a piss taking c**t


budz in

thts well out of order, what a prick. sum 1 must know his home address??? send the boys round inni lol. serious tho thts proper rude, and then 2 brag about his other event. fuckin wanker!! hope u get it sorted guys :-)

sad as fuk !!!

few more acts like that and there will be no nu-religion cuz noone will play for them! moron

its happened quite a few times with this guy also avoid any thing to do with printing flyers, wristbands, banners etc. as they come back very poor quality, wrong, late (after your event in my case)!

its a poor excuse and it shouldnt be tolerated....

does the tax man know how much he's "lost" over the years......

Oh dear, I have heard something about him before...

Damo, you silly silly boy!

Hope it all gets sorted for you soon lovely
x

That sucks lads!!!! No DJ/Artist deserved 2 b ripped off like that no matter how big or small they r!!!! i'd send the heavies 2 sort him out the wee bastard!!!!

Sorry you have had to go through this guys xxx

Damo, you silly silly boy!

Agreed.... :o(

Ooooh dear heard sum thing saturday cant remember who sed it tho but they didnt speak highly let me say that tho I shall stay well out of this one xxx

should i invite him to this thread so he can stick up for himself............?