EVO On The Road: An Inspiring Evening of Community and Creativity in Liverpool
Last week, my colleague Ellie and I had the pleasure of attending the EVO On The Road event in Liverpool. This is a touring series put on by BarberEVO and SalonEVO, in collaboration with some big names like Wahl, Revlon, American Crew, and Booksy. Honestly, the night left quite the impression on me—for more reasons than one!
The Vibe: Trendy, Energetic, and Creative
Upon arriving, we were immediately struck by the energy of the place. The room was filled with trendy creatives, so much so that I had a brief moment where I considered going on a shopping spree just to blend in! Here I was, fresh off the plane from Bali, still living out of a suitcase. But fashion envy aside, the atmosphere was amazing.
The event was held at Scale Liverpool, which, by the way, is an incredibly spacious and vibrant venue. You could feel the buzz of the creative industry as soon as you walked in. The reception area was decked out with everything you’d need—bar, photo setups, seating areas, and even a spacious outdoor section for those needing a breather. It was the perfect place to catch up with familiar faces from Revlon and Wahl and soak in the creative energy.
Networking: A Missed Opportunity?
As much as I enjoyed the night, I have to admit—networking events like this still throw me off. While I had fun catching up with industry connections, I know I could’ve taken better advantage of meeting new faces. That said, I feel like this was where the event really shined. It wasn’t just about showcasing products; it was about community and collaboration. That’s something we need more of in this industry: meaningful connections that spark opportunity.
Inside the Event: A Stage for Education and Brand Collaboration
Once we finished our welcome drinks, we headed upstairs to the main event. The space was set up with a stage and ample seating, and it was clear a lot of thought had gone into the layout. The night was organised into 30-minute segments, with each brand—Wahl, Revlon, American Crew, and Booksy—taking the stage for demonstrations and insights.
Now, I’ve been to my fair share of industry events, and I know how challenging it can be to pull off something like this. Kudos to the team behind EVO On The Road for bringing together these powerhouse brands. But, I’ll be honest—the focus did lean more towards product promotion than education, which left me wanting a bit more in terms of learning opportunities.
A Highlight: Simon Shaw’s Talk on Passion and Progress
The standout moment of the evening, for me, was Simon Shaw and his creative team from Wahl. Their talk on passion, progress, and the access to education they provide was inspiring. Here’s something that really caught my attention—you can actually get the Wahl team to come to your salon for a session where they demonstrate six looks ranging from session styling to salon-ready hair. That, to me, was a brilliant concept. It doesn’t matter if you specialise in barbering or hairstyling; the crossover of techniques is where the magic happens. We all know hair, whether we’re cutting it short with clippers or shaping long layers with scissors.
This got me thinking about how important community and education are in our industry. It’s not just about what you know; it’s about sharing that knowledge with others to elevate the craft for everyone. That’s something I want to explore further with Swanky Malone, bringing that sense of accessible education to Liverpool and beyond. With our salon and many others being a chair rental salon, freelance hairdressers have lost the backing of their employers to stay up to date with education and inspiration!
My Plans: Accessible Education for the North West
The whole evening sparked a new goal for me: I want to make accessible education a reality in Liverpool and the North West. Imagine a space where stylists can come together, teach their unique skills, and get paid for their expertise while I handle the marketing, administration, and everything in between. It’s a win-win for everyone, and events like EVO On The Road remind me that we need more of these opportunities to collaborate.
If you’re a stylist who’s passionate about education and want to share your expertise, I’d love to hear from you. Simply pop your details into the form on the site, and I’ll be in touch!
Final Thoughts: EVO On The Road—A Must-Attend for Hairstylists
Overall, the evening was an eye-opener, and I highly recommend attending future EVO On The Road events. While I would’ve liked to see more in-depth educational content, the networking and community vibe made it a fantastic experience. And let’s not forget the free food and goodie bag—always a win!
BarberEVO, thank you for hosting such an inspiring night. It’s events like this that bring us all together and remind us of the power of collaboration in this industry. If you’re a passionate hairstylist, this is definitely the place to be.
Until next time, Liverpool!