In the first of a series running each Monday, those with unusual summer work talk about their job

Simon Cooke (24) is a concert roll-out crew member

What do you do?

We are the local crew, an extra hand. For most of the roll-outs they have their own crew. The first time I did it I was left taking down the small stage, the barriers, the platforms, and taking the equipment - it's all on wheels and most of it is in boxes - and pushing it into trucks. It's easy. I worked in factories before, but with this you just work and then you get called back.

What jobs have you worked on?

I did Oxegen last year, and Liam Lawton's gig in George's Dock in Dublin. Most of the stuff is about taking it down afterwards and getting it on trucks. I did Justin Timberlake (right) and Rod Stewart at the RDS.

Do you get to hear any of the acts?

Not that I wanted to, but we got to hear the end of both of those two gigs at the RDS.

Do you wear any kind of special clothes?

You are meant to have steel-toe boots, a high-vis jacket and a hard hat. At Oxegen the organisers gave us T-shirts so they would know who is part of the crew.

How did you get started?

I got a call from a friend who had a van and he gets his mates to do jobs.

What kind of hours do you put in?

Justin Timberlake was from 10.30pm to 3am. It's always very late when we finish.

Do you need to be strong?

Not really, but it helps. It's kind of random what you are going to be doing.

Is it fun? Do you get to catch up with friends or get a chance to chat while you work?

You just work. You do get to talk a bit. There's standing around too. There's no horseplay because there are forklifts and things like that around.

Do you enjoy it?

Yeah, I get a little adrenaline buzz because I like being busy and it's pretty straightforward work to do. You always have something to do.

Is themoney good?

It's not great. I got €50 for doing the Justin Timberlake gig. I got €160 for a full day's work in George's Dock.

Is there a future in it?

If you work long enough, you could get to go on one of the tours. You can end up just telling the crew where things go and not just pushing the stuff. I don't think it's a career but I like the idea of it. It's quick money. You don't need to go through any interview and there's no commitment. I can work as long as they want me and then go on a holiday. This is quick work. It's satisfying. I like working with people who are enthusiastic.

What was the worst job?

Oxegen last year. The first thing I had to do, because I was new, was roll up this mat that was covered with dirt. That was two full days.

Is it an all-male world?

No, there are girls as well. More guys, but there were girls working at the last gig I did. Is it good to be part of the music business?

It's good to be around it because music is a passion. And it helps to know people if you are going to be into that business.

Do you get to meet famous people?

Justin Timberlake drove by in his armoured car . . . People get fired if you go up looking for autographs. You are there to do a job.

Do you get fed during the work?

At the smaller gigs you can eat the sandwiches backstage. I did get a beer at the Justin Timberlake gig. One of the crew came over and said: "That cooler has to be emptied." That was the only time we got anything, though we did get a lunch-break at Oxegen.

In conversation with Catherine Foley.