WE KNOW THE ROOMS.
WE KNOW THE PROMOTERS.
WE SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.

SAM FINDLAY

Sam Findlay founded Mainline Music in 2003, building over two decades what has become one of electronic music's most Asia-connected independent agencies. Operating from London with a deep operational base in Tokyo, Mainline executes 100+ shows annually across Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, the UK, and Europe — with a $2M+ annual budget and a roster of 70+ touring artists.

Sam's academic background in Pacific Asian Studies (M.A., SOAS University of London) and legal training (LLB, University of Law, London) give Mainline a rare combination of cultural intelligence and commercial precision. Fluent in Japanese — essential for navigating Japan's complex promoter landscape — and with direct relationships at every major festival and venue across the region, Mainline is the trusted partner for artists and agencies looking to break Asia.

Festival programming credits include World DJ Festival Korea (30,000 cap), Music Circus Osaka (10,000 cap), Metamorphose Festival Japan, DayDream Festival Shanghai, and Osaka Expo 2025. UK credits include Lost Horizon at Glastonbury, Secret Island Festival, Medicine Festival, and Fuji Rock.

Previous roles include Head of International Business at Trustar/Kana-L (Japan), Bookings & Talent Director at Lost Horizon/Glastonbury, Music Programmer at Egg London, and Founder/CEO of DJ Mag Japan. Sam also founded DJLink.me, a SaaS platform for DJ marketing and booking management, and WhereDJsPlay, an electronic music news platform.

EDUCATION

  • M.A. Pacific Asian Studies — SOAS London (Merit)
  • LLB / LPC — University of Law, London
  • B.A. American Social Studies — University of Sussex

LANGUAGES

  • Japanese — Fluent (15+ years business use)
  • English — Native
  • French — Advanced
  • Spanish — Basic

FOUNDED

  • 2003 — Mainline Music Agency, London

PLATFORMS

  • DJLink.me — Founder & CEO (2022–present)
  • WhereDJsPlay — Founder
  • DJ Mag Japan — Founder/CEO (2017–2018)

TIMELINE

2003

Founded Mainline Music, London

2003

First Japan booking

2004

Metamorphose Festival Japan (14,000 cap)

2017

Founded DJ Mag Japan

2019

Egg London programmer

2020

Lost Horizon / Glastonbury Digital — 4M views

2022

Founded DJLink.me

2024

Trustar/Kana-L — Head of International Business

2025

Osaka Expo 2025 — Common Ground Music Festival

2026

+81 Festival Tokyo — Toyota Arena (9,000 cap)