Jon Phillips

Silverback Music/ Silverback Live/ Red Light Management 

Jon Phillips started his professional career in the music business in the early 90’s after graduating from UCLA in 1991, where he booked talent on campus for UCLA’s Cultural Affairs Commission and was a contributor to UCLA’s long standing Jazz & Reggae Festival in 1992-93. 

Upon graduating Jon became a young A&R talent scout for the upstart label Gasoline Alley, a co-venture with MCA/Universal where he is credited for the signing of legendary band Sublime in 1994. 

In 1998 Jon formed Silverback Management along with his younger brother Matt Phillips. 

Over the last 25 years Silverback has been recognized as a pioneering force in building a musical sub-culture originating from California. Silverback’s current roster includes Slightly Stoopid, Stephen Marley, Fortunate Youth, DENM, Dumpstaphunk, George Porter jr, Landon McNamara , Ethan Tucker, Artikal Sound System, and was instrumental in the early success of Rebelution, Pepper, Long Beach Dub Allstars and the original Sublime to name a few .  Silverback also has a record label called Controlled Substance Sound Labs. 

More recently Silverback formed Silverback Live, a company specialized in the formation and curation of live music festivals including partnerships on Cali Vibes in Long Beach CA (AEG/ Goldenvoice), Closer to the Sun in Riviera Maya Mexico (Cloud 9 and Slightly Stoopid) and Point Break Festival in Virginia Beach,VA. 

In 2019 Silverback Music formed a strategic partnership with Red Light Management after achieving a wide range of success as a fully independent family business started in the living room nearly three decades ago.