Your All-Access Intro to Backstage Pass (and the People Behind It)
Jan 9, 2026
Kaitlin Mckay
Backstage Pass was created to pull back the curtain on the music industry—offering real access, real insight, and a community built by people who know the grind firsthand. Hear from the founder of Backstage Pass, Austin Meersman, and his right hand woman, Amal Chekouani as they break down Backstage Pass–who we are, what we do and how you can be a part of it!
Q: How would you describe Backstage Pass to someone who’s never heard of it before?
Austin: “It’s a place where you individuals can come to connect and take on their careers with more resources similar to Fan To Band, 1824, GrammyU. The difference is they can take action and contribute, do all of that for their careers… we offer the space the structure–space to empower them to take on their career, and turn their passion into something.
Amal: The Backstage Pass is a global collective designed to support and empower individuals who are eager to break into or elevate their careers in the music industry. We provide valuable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help navigate the industry's challenges!
Q: What gap did you see in the street team or fan ecosystem that led to creating Backstage Pass?
Austin: I think the gap was that there wasn’t anything consistently happening…and I was like, “what if we were to do something weekly?” Why not do everything we can in the time we can. If one day we realize it’s too much, then it’s too much, but I think there is only growth to be had. I think the real thing this solves is giving access to the people that have the passion to go do it that just need that extra push and the space to do it.
Amal: What really led to the creation of Backstage Pass was the desire to build something community-driven. I believe that having a strong community is essential in everything we do, and being able to collaborate with like-minded people who share the same vision helped us create the heart of Backstage Pass. It's all about creating a space where people can come together, learn, and grow, supporting each other as they navigate their individual journeys in the industry.
Q: Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize this project needed to exist?
Austin: It was really early on…I knew instantly after working with FanToBand; I was inspired. I was like “This is possible? This is a thing?” I didn't even know what street team was at the time, but after seeing artists start street teams I realized how special it could be, and how much it could support others. I wanted to commit fully and have a full blown network and system unlike last year with Operation Fan Project's street team, I wanted this to be more.
Amal: A defining moment that made me realize how important it was to create this came from following some of my favorite artists on tour. The friendships and sense of community (something incredibly important to us) formed through music are truly powerful. Connecting with other fans who shared the same passion showed me how meaningful these relationships can be, and it helped me set the tone for creating a space where we can all come together and support each other.
Q: What does Backstage Pass stand for, beyond the content it publishes?
Austin: I think what we stand for is accessibility in the industry. We want to advocate for fans and industry professionals and educate everyone on the issues in music; talking about the topics people are scared to talk about. Overall we really just stand for everything good and a little extra.
Q: Who is the primary audience for Backstage Pass, and how do you want them to feel engaging with it?
Austin: The primary audience is the people with the passion for the industry. Anywhere from late teens to mid 30s, no matter the demographic we want to reach and connect with anyone that wants to contribute to their careers and launch themselves further. If they have the passion and drive and want to make their dreams come true, I want to support them and offer the knowledge that I have to help them put it towards a purpose and take action. For me it took so many years to connect with the value I had–the value of my contribution. I want to see people connect with the depth that music shows and want people to click with that world and industry. I want them to feel confident and believe they can do it themselves, because they can.
Amal: I believe that the audience is truly anyone who has a heart for music, no matter which part of the industry they enjoy. There are so many different components that make up the music industry, and it's important for people to connect with other individuals to discover where their passion and purpose truly belongs. By exploring these connections together, they can really understand how they fit in and contribute.
Q: How do you want Backstage Pass to be different from other fan or music-industry publications?
Austin: Honestly I think we’re not all that different. I think being different is just having your own way of doing things; the way we do things may be completely different than the others out there. We’re all accessing the same things needed, even if it’s in a different way or form. I think our team and philosophy behind it sets us apart. We want to get people to want to take on their own careers. They way we don’t just give opportunities we empower members. I want everyone to feel like they are being focused on. It’s important to build a space where they can be focused on their goals and reach them.
Q: What kinds of stories, voices, or perspectives are most important for the publication to highlight?
Austin: I think the most important voices are all voices. I want to make sure we are advocating for others, telling the stories of our members and spotlighting them when they win. I want to use every avenue we have to give a platform to those that don’t have one and this includes the publication. It’s going to be used to let them know what is happening with us, and give contributors a space to let them talk and write about what they want to.
Amal: I love a fangirl moment! I'd love to highlight as many fan perspectives as possible because, at the end of the day, I truly believe that we are all fans first. Genuine experiences and emotions are what it's all about.
Q: How do you envision members interacting with or contributing to Backstage Pass?
Austin: We’ve built these things called contributor passes (we have the media pass, publication pass, social media pass, etc) where members can help take action and contribute to their career and our community. We have so many opportunities in each pathway, they are going to be gaining new skills, making new connections and experiencing learning opportunities.
Q: What does success look like for Backstage Pass in its first year?
Austin: Within the first year, I want to service as many people as we can, and offer support to as many people as we can. Success for me is “Are we supporting people as much as we can?” “Are we giving real opportunities?” “Are members taking this and putting it back into their lives?” It’s about what they are doing within what we are doing and that’s so important. I would be happy to see people taking their careers on within us then that’s success to me, that’s enough.
In 5 years or 10 years from now I hope backstage pass is compared to the greats in this space, and hope it is on the same level as 1824 and major labels networks. I want to be a space where people can recognize that we are doing something real. Truly wherever this goes, success is that we're still going and what we are doing is working and fulfilling for everyone.
Amal: For the first year of Backstage Pass, my biggest goal is to see as many people connecting as possible. It's all about bringing people together, sharing ideas, thinking creatively, and helping one another find their footing in what they truly desire. That's the dream. To build a space that supports people who all share the same passion.
Q: If you had to pick a theme song for Backstage Pass' first year and what it means to you, what album and/or song would you choose?
Austin: The Fighter by Gym Class Heroes
