Whether it’s for a mosh pit or open home, Dan is in the business of creating epic experiences and lifelong memories. Photo: The Property Collective, Sarah Stanton.
At first glance, touring with hard rock legends and helping a family secure their dream home are worlds apart. But if you delve a little deeper, like this former roadie has, some unique similarities come to light.
Sales agent Dan Hawcroft from The Property Collective spent more than 20 years in the live music scene.
Though he largely stayed out of the limelight, Dan lived and breathed the stage, supporting the likes of rock `n’ roll royalty Motörhead and metalcore pioneers Killswitch Engage.
“My career history is a bit of a mouthful,” he says.
“I’m a roadie turned venue owner, student turned marketing manager, and real estate agent turned author. Most importantly, I’m a dad.
“I’m originally from the UK, but fell in love with Australia while on tour with Times of Grace for Soundwave festival in 2012.”
Being a road manager, stage manager, and personal assistant to Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister meant Dan covered many bases back in the day.
Promotion, branding, travel, people management, sound and tech, safety… he had a hand in just about everything, down to the final red tape.
“Basically, my job was to make sure every single show was an epic experience for everyone involved,” Dan says.
“When you have giant flamethrowers going off on stage, you need to make sure everything works like it’s supposed to. Part of that is making sure everyone’s safe, but it’s also about giving people their money, time, and effort’s worth.”
When Dan’s daughter came into the world, he decided to give up life on the road for something a little more settled and moved to Australia permanently.
Studying business management eventually led to an MBA, and a few years later, Dan found himself in the real estate sector.
“As much as I loved touring and still miss it, being away 11 months of the year with a little one at home just wasn’t feasible,” he says.
“Real estate is a bit of a vegemite industry in that you either love it or hate it. For me, selling houses is surprisingly not that different to promoting a rock tour.
“You’re working with people’s dreams, so emotions get pretty high, and if you leave a bad taste in people’s mouths, they probably won’t have you back.”
Dan’s journey with The Property Collective began in the marketing team in 2024. Now a fully qualified sales agent and auctioneer, he’s genuinely proud to be part of one of the oldest professions in the world.
“We tend to get a bad rep, but most of us are in the industry because we’re people people,” he says.
“I get a buzz every time I hear vendors say their dreams are in reach thanks to a great sale, and there’s nothing quite like seeing first home buyers jump up and down when they find out their offer was accepted.”
Plenty of workplaces claim to be a family, but Dan says The Property Collective is more like a sports team. Each member is hand picked for their individual strengths and weaknesses, and everyone has a role to play.
Outside of work, Dan coaches junior rugby union, collects vintage skateboards, spends plenty of time with his cattle dog Gibson, and avoids hot drinks at all costs (he’s never even sipped one).
He also made his publishing debut earlier this year with Wasted Opportunities: tour tales and stories from the road.
“Wasted Opportunities is a reflection on all the highs, lows and crazy moments of life on tour,” Dan says.
“It’s a tribute to the musicians I’ve worked with, the crews who keep shows running, and the fans, who are the lifeblood of it all.
“Besides becoming a dad, publishing this book is probably my proudest achievement since I stepped away from the industry.”
For more information, visit The Property Collective.
