AIF hits 100-member milestone

Landmark announced at this year’s Festival Congress in Bristol.

The Association of Independent Festivals has reached 100 members.

Eisteddfod Yr Urdd became the 100th AIF member in January, with the milestone being announced today (February 1) at the opening of this year’s Festival Congress in Bristol.

An annual Welsh-language youth festival of literature, music and performing arts organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Eisteddfod Yr Urdd has an annual attendance of approximately 100,000.

It joins a diverse list of AIF festivals including renowned names such as 2000trees, Barn On The Farm, Beat Herder, Black Deer, Bluedot, Boardmasters, Boomtown, Deer Shed, Dot To Dot, Field Maneuvers, Kendal Calling, Leopallooza, Love Trails, Notting Hill Carnival, Oxjam, Shambala, Standon Calling, Tramlines, YNot? and many more.

The Festival Congress brings together organisers from AIF member festivals and carnivals, as well as other independent festival professionals and event operators from across the UK.

AIF’s Chair, Matthew Phillip of Notting Hill Carnival, announced the news during his opening comments at this year’s Festival Congress, where he also drew parallels between the multi-organisational approach to creating Notting Hill Carnival and the spirit of togetherness that he has found between the many festivals that make up AIF.

AIF’s new CEO John Rostron said: “A membership of 100 festivals is a real landmark for AIF. When AIF was founded, we were just five. The work we do collectively, the knowledge we share, the advocacy that we can make through working together becomes stronger and stronger as we represent more and more of the independent music festivals and carnivals in the UK. We have a brilliant, vibrant network of wonderfully creative, innovative and vital organisations and starting 2023 with 100 members strong makes us all very excited about the year ahead.”