We are excited to welcome the legendary John McLaughlin as our keynote speaker at Resonate 2024. John McLaughlin has had huge success as a songwriter, record producer and manager. He has written and produced seven number ones and over 25 top 10 singles worldwide including songs for Busted, 911, Westlife, Blue, Sandi Thom and 5ive + many more. Although mostly known for his pop hits, John has also co-written and produced records for Echo and The Bunnymen (‘The Fountain’ album) and Shane MacGowan.
John won a BMI Million Airplay Award (for 5ive ‘when the lights go out’), a European Airplay Award (for David Charvet ‘Leap of Faith’) and the Nordoff Robbins Living Legend Award in 2013.
John’s music has featured in TV, film and radio; he also featured as a songwriting coach on BBC's Fame Academy.
As a manager, John continues to be able to spot, develop and nurture new talent and has secured major recording contracts for a number of breakthrough acts over the last 30 years, many of which have achieved global success.
In 2015, John reunited & managed 70’s iconic band, The Bay City Rollers. Resulting in 2 major sellout UK tours with promoter Donald McLeod (Holdfast). John is still current manager of the Bay City Rollers and also now performs in the band on keys and vocals.
2018 saw John worked with mega star Sir Rod Stewart with a co-write ‘Julia’ on Rod’s no.1 album ‘Blood Red Roses’ from there a friendship grew and Rod invited John’s folk-rock band, Johnny Mac and the Faithful, to be his opening act on his UK & Irish Stadium and arena tours from 2019- 2022. Rod even duets on 2 tracks on their debut album ‘Midnight Glasgow Rodeo’.
John’s most recent venture is curator and lead singer in ‘For the Love of Shane MacGowan’ a tribute show to his friend, the late great Shane MacGowan. The show debuted with a sell-out run of 7 shows at this years Edinburgh Fringe receiving 5* reviews and is gearing up for a UK and European tour in 2025
As a manager, John’s current roster consists of the Bay City Rollers, Kevin McGuire (Scottish country artist) and Laurie Wright (London based new-mod artist).