Creative Island, the Cultural Development Agency for the Isle of Wight, has been awarded the EFFE Seal from the European Festival Association (EFA). This honour celebrates regions dedicated to incorporating festivals and cultural events into their growth strategies, while fostering a strong European identity. The news follows the Isle of Wight Festival being awarded Best Large Festival at the UK Festival Awards in December. Speaking about the EFFE Seal, Giddings said “An incredible moment for the island, and truly deserved. We’re proud of the part that our festival has played in getting this accolade. The EFFE Seal is testament to everything the Isle of Wight represents. We cherish working…
Author: Andy Lenthall
LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), which represents 15 live music industry organisations, has announced the launch of the Live Trust, a transformative new funding initiative that will offer much needed financial support to those working across live music – artists, venue operators, promoters, festival organisers and more. Established by and acting on behalf of the live music industry, which contributes £6.1bn to the UK economy while employing 230,000 people, the LIVE Trust will deliver funding where it is most needed with an initial focus on the grassroots music sector, which saw 125 grassroots music venues close permanently in…
On 27, 28 and 29 June 2025, Paradise City Festival returns to the idyllic gardens of Castle Ribaucourt in Perk, Steenokkerzeel, for a special 10th anniversary. With seven stages, Paradise City attracted a record number of over 43,000 visitors last year. In addition, the festival was awarded as the world’s most sustainable music festival at the prestigious A Greener Festival Awards. Despite its growth, Paradise City remains true to its core values: quality music, innovative stage productions and a leading commitment to sustainability. At the start of ticket sales last week, all camping tickets flew out the door within 24…
A new UK Festivals Data Map has been launched, mapping over 850 festivals that took place in England, Wales and Scotland in 2024, where music was a key part of the entertainment. The free, publicly available, UK Music Festival Resource is designed to be updated and help the industry count festivals, artist plan tours and fans discover new events in their area. Commissioned by retiring Association of Festival Organisers General Secretary Steve Heap in partnership with EIF and LIVE, this UK Festival Data tool has been created by Chris Carey of FastForward Events, with funding from the Events Industry Forum…
The Advice Line, a tool offering aspiring event professionals advice on how to fuel their career, will re-open for bookings next week. The line, hosted by independent festival production company The Fair, offers anybody looking to start their own festival, or kickstart their career in events, the opportunity to book a 30-minute chat with an industry professional possessing years of experience in the field. The Advice Line originally launched in March 2023 and proved a huge success, with over 100 callers benefitting. The line closed temporarily while the team were busy producing festivals and events throughout the summer, but is…
AGF (A Greener Future) is a leader in helping the global live sector become greener. AGF Certification is the world’s first and most comprehensive standard for sustainability in the live events sector, for festivals and events reducing waste, emissions, and enhancing equality and biodiversity. Events and festivals from across the globe, of all shapes and sizes, have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and successfully certified events in 2024. These include Les Escales (FR), Bristol Harbour Festival (UK), Paléo Festival (CH), American Express Presents BST Hyde Park (UK), Telluride (US), Sziget Festival (HU), Rosendal Garden Party (SE), UEC Road European Championships…
The FOCUS Wales conference is back for its 15th edition, taking place across 8th – 10th May 2024, in Wrexham, Wales. Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, and PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network, FOCUS Wales continues to champion emerging talent while connecting local and global audiences.The conference is an internationally recognised global meeting point, providing an environment to open up important conversations and developmental discussions in the music industry. The event provides vital networking opportunities for hundreds of Welsh professionals, as well as international industry delegates and artists across a wide range of musical genres and backgrounds.…
London Latin Music festival La Linea, hailed by the Financial Times as being the place where “the city’s thriving and genre-blending Latin Music scene is celebrated”, will mark its milestone 25th anniversary next year with its broadest and most ambitious line-up to date. Returning to venues across the capital from 22nd April – 5th May 2025, the festival will affirm its longstanding reputation for combining global Latin icons with the very best emerging musicians and has today announced the first raft of names confirmed to perform. Joining the line-up for La Linea 25 is Grammy-winning Buena Vista Social Club star, and one of the…
Wellness in the Wild festival is back for its third year, promising an even more enriching and transformative experience. From 18th to 20th July 2025, this unique and intimate festival nestled in the heart of the Suffolk countryside invites attendees to celebrate health, wellness, community, and music. Less than two hours from central London by train, the festival welcomes people of all ages to join a thriving community of like-minded individuals ready to relax, recharge, and explore a weekend of creativity and connection. Wellness in the Wild was founded in late 2022 by friends Andrew Swiney and Ed Deakin, who…
European Talent Exchange, previously ESNS Exchange, the renowned European music Exchange programme, is proud to reveal the final 2024 results. The programme was established in 2003 to overcome the significant challenges faced by the European pop music industry in international promotion and distribution. The hugely successful programme has created a strong network among stakeholders, facilitating, supporting, inspiring, and promoting the global circulation of creative European musical talent. “We’re now on the same stages as bands we were fans of ourselves” Chalk, Ireland 2024 Results In 2024, the programme maintained its impressive momentum with 335 shows by 132 acts from 33…