From the Classroom to the Backstage Pass: A Conversation with Artist Jon Mackay

Balancing a career as an art teacher with designing prints for rock legends like Metallica, The Vaccines, and Jesse J, Jon Mackay leads a double life. We caught up with him to talk about the chaos of last-minute tour deadlines, the time he accidentally harassed a band on Instagram over a wine bill, and why turning down Metallica for a child’s piano exam was totally worth it.

So, is this your full-time job now?

I do, yeah. Well, I used to be head of art in a school, and I still do a day or so teaching a week. Partly because things like this are lovely, and I rarely... I remember being backstage at Hammersmith with my kids, like, ten years ago, and as we were leaving, my daughter said, "Dad, I didn’t recognize you. Are you friends with the little guys?" No, I work with a management team in Seattle via email. Not quite as rock and roll as you think.

So I do a bit of teaching to kind of break the week up, get out, and do something different. And it gives me regular income! This isn't bad at all, but obviously, you worry about the freelance volatility. Though sometimes it sends me right over the edge when I’ve got to teach, and I actually have a manager's flipping shipment in Berlin to deal with.

How did you first get started in this side-gig world?

I used to have a friend who ran a music festival in Shetland, and he got me to do some workshops and posters for a few people at independent music festivals. Around the same time, kids came along, and I wanted to do something extra. I went out into Oxford, learned how to get a photo pass, and did some gig photography for local magazines just to learn how to approach PR companies and management.

Then, back in 1997 - wait, what year is it? 2026? Wow, 15 years since the Corner Shop one in June! Anyway, a band called Corner Shop was playing My Friend's Festival, and I used to have a t-shirt business before I was a teacher. I said, "Can I do a print for you guys?" and the guy said, "Yeah, why not? Can't afford to pay you, though."

I said, "That's fine, can I just get my work out there?" I made 24 quid. But he looked at it and went, "Yeah, that's cool. I work in PR at Rough Trade, do you want me to introduce you to anybody?" He introduced me to The Vaccines, Mumford & Sons' record label... and some things worked, some didn't, and I just kept going from there.

How does it usually work when you work with an artist or band? Do you approach them, or do they approach you?

It varies. Take Dermot Kennedy, for example that came through a record label I do a lot of work with. I was chatting with someone about other stuff and said, "I'm sure Dermot Kennedy's management might be interested in doing something." He introduced me, and the big manager came on and said, "Yeah, we'd love to do a print for the pre-release of the record."

I asked when the record came out the 27th of March. This conversation happened in January, and they told me, "The pre-release goes live next week." So I had to leave my day job for tomorrow to get it done!

And how much guidance do they give you for the artwork?

None, really. With Dermot Kennedy, all I got sent were the lyrics and the new record it was all strictly embargoed. I couldn't even hear the record yet, so I was literally sifting through the lyrics going, "Okay, what does that mean?" I produced six pieces of artwork in 24 hours, and they selected one. You have to feel your way a little bit.

Is there anyone specific you’d love to work with who you haven't yet?

Well, some childhood or teenage bands from my era like U2. I would love to work with them, but I'm never going to get close to them.

Though I did have a funny moment in 2023. I had a conversation with Live Nation about doing festival posters, and I got a bit cheeky and asked, "Are you guys the promoters for the Eras Tour for Taylor Swift?" They said yes, and I asked, "What's the chances of doing prints for that?" They said, "Let's put it on the list." Did it go anywhere? No! But you have to try. My eldest daughter was convinced we were going to be invited backstage at Wembley to have tea with Taylor. Unlikely, but it's fun to dream.

Looking back, what is the project you're most proud of?

I don't know if I have a single favourite, but I know the ones that cause me the most stress! Having a good art director can be pretty flipping hard to work with, but it forces you to do something different so you don't get repetitive.

Doing the 20th anniversary of Download Festival was fun and totally unexpected. I drew James Hetfield against some hellhounds, which was great. After that, Live Nation phoned me and said, "John, would you be up for doing a signed print session with Metallica?"

And I sort of said... well, I had to turn them down because my youngest had a grade two piano exam that day, and my wife was on duty elsewhere. Turning down Metallica for a piano exam? I think that's a good parenting trade-off!

What about the prints themselves, are they always limited editions?

Not always. The European tour print for Dermot Kennedy was an edition of 1,500. But for their pop-up shop, they wanted something exclusive, so we limited it to 300.

I always have to print more than ordered anyway because of mistakes, you always get a bit of ink somewhere that transfers to your shirt sleeve, then your finger, and onto the print, and then you have to scrap it. But with the leftover prints, I’ve agreed with management that we’ll sell some for Black Friday on eBay, with all the money going to the Samaritans. I do that with a few bands each year.

Any major milestones that really helped you break through?

Getting The Vaccines to do a print the day after the Brit Awards was a huge turning point. That band actually helped pay for our moving costs when we moved to this house. I made 4,500 prints for that record across multiple tours.

It’s funny, when I'm teaching art at school, I usually don't mention what I do on the side. But sometimes a student will look at my work and say, "Wait, you're working with The Vaccines? Fuck me, sir, you're working with The Vaccines? That's legendary!" It’s a pretty fun second life to have.

To see more of Jon McKay's gig posters and prints, visit his official portfolio online.