Forecast Vol.02 - Festivals, not just for fields
Vol.02
Welcome to Forecast, an occasional bulletin from the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), where we share news and think-pieces that will open your mind to new possibilities on all things music festivals.
Festivals aren’t just for fields. Usually based in towns and city centres, multi-venue music festivals have grown rapidly in number over the past two decades. They are often created as a catalyst to make things happen in an area. or as a celebration of a musical scene, genre or place. We're big fans.
Hi, it's John. I know personally the joy and the challenges of organising this type of event because back in 2007 I started one with my friend Huw Stephens.
Our city was Cardiff, and our reason was a combination of wanting to make something special happen in the place we lived and loved, as well as wanting people from outside of Wales to hear more of the amazing artists that filled our lives.
The idea came to us in the spring whilst at SXSW - a festival we'd made a pilgrimage to every year, where we'd discovered so many artists as we ran from bar to venue to courtyard to watch tens of acts a day. The energy in an urban area is different to the energy in a field. It’s dynamic and exciting to be able to venue hop, taking in different genres of music that are as diverse as the buildings themselves.
If this could happen in Austin, then why not in Cardiff? That was our logic anyway. Six months later the first Sŵn Festival (Welsh for 'sound') arrived.
Fast forward 17 years and Sŵn still takes place for one long weekend each October. In fact it's happening this weekend. Check it out HERE.
Huw and I are no longer involved but we take great joy in seeing the festival evolve and connect as it moulds around an ever-changing city, new audiences, and amazing new artists.
It’s not easy running an event in a city or town across multiple venues.
From one year to the next buildings come and go and roads open and close. And unlike greenfield festivals you can't build the space as you like to - you're beholden to others whose venues you're hiring.
You have to juggle a lot. For example, how do you manage brand partnerships or sponsorships across multiple spaces? How do also you manage important factors such as accessibility and sustainability?
That’s not to mention how difficult it is to manage the budget. It's tough making festivals work financially, even tougher when you don't control all the income streams.
At AIF, we understand these challenges but we also know and appreciate the opportunities that lie in these types of events, and we want multi-venue festivals to survive and thrive.
Big or small, niche or mainstream, they are a wonderfully creative and vibrant part of the festival landscape. They’re vital to grassroots music venues, to music scenes, to music discovery, and they’re creative ways to celebrate space and place.
That's why we're really excited about the new Multi-Venue Development Programme, which is completely FREE for festival organisers hosting events in England. Read on for more info.
Image: The AIF Multi-venue development programme is free to festival organisers in England, and funded by Arts Council England. Artwork by Martin Carr
THE WHAT:
Over the next six months, we will be delivering a multi-venue festival development programme thanks to funding from Arts Council England.
Yes, we'll say it again, it's absolutely FREE for any festival organisers wanting to run a multi-venue music festival in England. So spread the word!
By participating in a series of online sessions, gaining access to a dedicated digital space for organisers to connect and share knowledge, and joining a special, dedicated programme at our Festival Congress next February in Bristol, participants will gain significant benefits.
The programme will offer:
Tailored business support and industry skills development
Peer-to-peer roundtables and training sessions focused on key areas gathered during the programme’s planning stage
Practical guidance on Martyn’s Law (The Protection of Premises Bill)
Managing PRS licensing for multi-venue events
Finding new revenue opportunities through accommodation and travel partnerships
Addressing environmental and accessibility challenges at events
Exploring funding opportunities for promoters,artists, and industry professionals
AND MORE...
THE HOW:
If you run a multi-venue festival in England, or know the people behind your favourite multi-venue event, all you need to do is register your interest in this short onboarding form HERE, and we'll get back to you.
Let's keep multi-venue festivals thriving.
John, Phoebe & the AIF Team.
10 Grassroots Multi-Venue Festivals (you may or may not have heard of):
1. Mutations – Brighton
When: November
Venues: Various independent venues across Brighton, including small clubs and performance spaces.
Overview: Focusing on left-field and alternative artists and an eclectic mix of genres, from post-punk to experimental electronica. Strong emphasis on cutting-edge and underground acts.
2. British Country Music Festival – Blackpool
When: September
Overview: Showcases the best of UK country, Americana, and roots music. It features homegrown talent and offers a platform for artists blending traditional country with contemporary styles.
Venues: Primarily held in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, but also features performances across smaller venues within the complex.
3. Waves – Sunderland
When: November
Overview: Highlights emerging talent from the UK and beyond, across a variety of genres. The festival offers a mix of live performances and networking opportunities, creating a vibrant space for both music lovers and industry professionals.
Venues: Held across a range of venues in Sunderland, including clubs, bars, and cultural spaces.
4. Broadstairs Folk Week – Broadstairs
When: August
Overview: This long-running festival celebrates traditional and contemporary folk music, drawing in artists from across the UK and beyond.
Venues: Pubs, parks, and open-air stages, with events also held at the Pavilion and in the streets.
5. Lakota Block Party – Bristol
When: Various dates
Overview: Organised by Lakota, a famous Bristol nightclub, the event brings together electronic music, house, and techno acts across multiple stages and venues for a high-energy experience.
Venues: Lakota club itself, along with outdoor stages and surrounding streets turned into party zones.
6. Manchester Punk Festival – Manchester
When: April
Overview: Manchester Punk Festival is a grassroots, DIY music festival celebrating the best of punk, hardcore, and ska. It’s known for its strong community spirit and lineup of both well-known punk bands and local acts.
Venues: Multiple independent venues around Manchester, including clubs, bars, and intimate spaces.
7. Manchester Folk Festival – Manchester
When: March
Overview: Dedicated to showcasing the best in contemporary folk music from across the UK. The festival highlights both traditional folk and modern interpretations, with a strong focus on storytelling and acoustic performances.
Venues: Various theaters, clubs, and intimate venues across the city, including HOME Manchester and the O2 Ritz.
8. Manchester Psych Festival – Manchester
When: September
Overview: This festival is dedicated to psychedelic music and its various subgenres, featuring a mix of psych rock, garage, experimental, and electronic acts. It attracts both local talent and international psych bands for a day of mind-bending music.
Venues: Spread across multiple venues in Manchester, such as YES, Gorilla, and The Ritz.
9. Wild Paths – Norwich
When: October
Overview: A multi-genre festival featuring indie, electronic, jazz, and alternative artists. It also includes art exhibitions, street food markets, and talks, creating a holistic cultural experience.
Venues: Bars, clubs, and performance spaces throughout Norwich, such as Norwich Arts Centre, Waterfront, and Karma Kafé.
10. Hockey Hustle – Nottingham
When: October
Overview: Transforming 50 of Nottingham’s most iconic venues into a sprawling celebration of music, culture, and community.
Venues: Various small venues in Nottingham, from hidden gems to grand stages.