UK festival cancellations pass 20 milestone

UK festival cancellations pass 20 milestone

13 Mar 2024

Over 100 of the nation’s festivals could disappear in 2024 without intervention.


Steve Heap sets retirement date, hands AFO operation to AIF

Steve Heap sets retirement date, hands AFO operation to AIF

29 Feb 2024

Steve Heap will retire from his position as General Secretary of the Association of Festival Organisers on April 2 2024, handing over the operation to John Rostron and the team at the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF).


AIF sounds the alarm, calling for critical VAT reduction on festival tickets

AIF sounds the alarm, calling for critical VAT reduction on festival tickets

05 Feb 2024

5% For Festivals campaign launched at AIF Festival Congress.

AIF CEO tells UK Government: ‘36 UK festivals cancelled in 2023, 6 already in 2024. More will follow without help.’


Tramlines and We Out Here to host Music Support Safe Hubs on site in 2024

Tramlines and We Out Here to host Music Support Safe Hubs on site in 2024

05 Feb 2024

AIF members given the opportunity to host fully-funded hubs thanks to The Christopher Meredith Foundation partnership.


First Festival Congress 2024 sessions and new sponsors announced

First Festival Congress 2024 sessions and new sponsors announced

15 Dec 2023

Programme covers wide range of topics including extreme weather, zero waste, EDI and planet friendly merch.


Festival Congress returns to Bristol in February

Festival Congress returns to Bristol in February

28 Nov 2023

Festival Congress will return to Bristol’s Beacon on February 1st 2024.

Produced by AIF, Festival Congress is the UK’s gathering of independent music festival organisers, promoters and key staff.


Festival Congress 2025 - Tender

Festival Congress 2025 – Tender

27 Nov 2023

Festival Congress is AIF’s annual flagship event and the largest gathering of independent festivals in the UK, with 350 industry delegates expected to attend in 2024. Attended by 74% of AIF members on average, the Congress has rapidly evolved to become a fixture and must attend event in the festival industry calendar, selling out every iteration. Festival Congress began in…


AIF launches Equality, Diversity & Inclusion initiative

AIF launches Equality, Diversity & Inclusion initiative

25 Oct 2023

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has launched a new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Policy and Action plan – with a key aim being to further improve representation and the talent pipeline across the AIF membership.


AIF launches All-Party Parliamentary Group for independent festivals

AIF launches All-Party Parliamentary Group for independent festivals

18 Sep 2023

Chaired by Giles Watling MP, the APPG will look into environmental impacts and solutions; women’s safety; crime and drug use; and touring visas for musicians.


AIF partners with Galop and Stamp Out Spiking to bolster Safer Spaces campaign

AIF partners with Galop and Stamp Out Spiking to bolster Safer Spaces campaign

29 Jun 2023

Partnerships will mean extra resources and visibility around LGBT+ abuse survivors and the issue of spiking. AIF has partnered with LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop and anti-spiking charity Stamp Out Spiking to bolster its Safer Spaces Charter. Galop works with LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence, specialising in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime,…


1 in 6 festivals came to an end as a result of Covid

1 in 6 festivals came to an end as a result of Covid

19 Jun 2023

New AIF data shows there were 600 UK music festivals in 2019, but now less than 500 in 2023. One in six UK festivals came to an end during and in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, new data from the Association of Independent Festivals suggests. A study carried out by AIF in the first half of 2023 shows there…