Robin Travis is the Managing Director of Renby, a UK based provider of fogging and bulk solids handling systems. A staple of the British summer and a rite of passage for many people, the festival experience is becoming more about the atmosphere and less about the line-up. Big names alone are no longer enough of a pull, and instead festivalgoers prioritise the food they eat, the friends they make and the memories they create. If someone looks back fondly on an event, it could be the difference between whether or not they return. There are now hundreds of festivals in…
Author: Festival Insights
UK: The Festival Vision: 2025 initiative has launched a crowdfunding campaign that hopes to raise £25k in order to publish a second edition of its sustainability-centric The Show Must Go On Report. Providing comprehensive, free-to-use, practical resources and advice for festival organisers, the report’s stated goals involve developing networks to share best practice, strengthening a roadmap for change, and making sure the right information reaches decision makers with the power to implement new strategies. Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic, said: “We can no longer ignore the global impact of climate change and immediate action needs to be taken…
NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam Dance Event has appointed France as its main focus country for 2019. In addition to multiple events across ADE’s extensive conference and festival programme, a major part of 2019’s proceedings will be the French get together at the ADE Guesthouse. On October 17, De Balie will be transformed into the place where key players of the French electronic scene gather to discuss and celebrate the renaissance of one of Europe’s major exporters of electronic music. De Balie – situated 200 meters from ADE’s main venue, the DeLaMar Theater – is hosting a day of workshops, panels, keynotes and…
USA: Primavera Sound concluded its 19th edition in Barcelona with the announcement of a new incarnation in Los Angeles, taking place from September 19 – 20 2020 in the county’s State Historic Park. The festival has also revealed a smaller scale, two-day event to take place in Benidorm this November, entitled the Primavera Weekender. Tickets include accommodation and board, and the festival’s line-up features Belle & Sebastian, Primal Scream, Mura Masa, Idles, Sleaford Mods, Cigarettes After Sex, Whitney, Weyes Blood, John Talabot and Carolina Durante. New additions aside, Primavera Sound’s flagship event will return to Barcelona for its 20th anniversary…
UK: BBC Music Introducing Live has revealed the first details of its sophomore edition, set to return to London’s Tobacco Dock from October 31 – November 2. Once again the event will consist of panels, masterclasses, and networking sessions, with top BBC DJs on hand to offer their advice to those aspiring towards a career in the industry. Some of said BBC talent in attendance will be BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley and Jamie Cullum; BBC Radio 6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs, Gilles Peterson, Steve Lamacq, and Tom Robinson; and BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens. Furthermore, there will be live…
TUNISIA: Following a three-year hiatus, Les Dunes Electroniques will make its comeback in September to Ong Jmel, situated on the brink of Tunisia’s southern desert and globally recognised as the setting of Luke Skywalker’s hometown of Mos Espa. With over 30 artists on the bill, the festival promises to offer over 30 hours of uninterrupted music from the Tunisian, French and international electronic scenes. Les Dunes Electroniques’ mission is to contribute to local development and tourism in the Jerid region, from Nefta to Tozeur, targeting a large audience from all over Tunisia and the world. The event is carried out…
UK: With diesel emissions becoming an increasing public health concern, World Environment Day on June 5 was focused on air pollution. In conjunction, the sustainability management company Hope Solutions – alongside power management specialists ZAP Concepts – have brought together events industry experts to produce an action research report on the subject. Thanks to a collaborative effort between hundreds of major UK festivals and events, the report marks the start of a major industry backed initiative to reduce diesel emissions and move to sustainable energy sources to help fight toxic air quality. With data from A Greener Festival, Julie’s Bicycle,…
UK: Presented by Sound City, Manchester International Festival and FutureEverything, Distractions will host its first summit in Manchester this July. Set to explore undiscovered intersections between entertainment and technology, the weekend will comprise talks, panels, new music showcases, and additional content. Liverpool’s music and arts festival, Sound City, will feature in the Distractions programme on July 19, along with FutureEverything on July 18 and Manchester International Festival on July 20. The creation of the event also involved Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Modern Designers, Rose Marley Management, and Peter Saville. The Distractions programme promises to cover…
*This article is part of Insider Insights’ Sustainable Summer series, in which we dedicate half of our monthly output to guidance on decreasing the environmental impact of festivals. Joss Ford is the Founder of Enviral, an ethical brand marketing agency that works with brands to create and communicate their environmental and social purpose. Picture yourself sitting in a lush green field, surrounded by your closest friends. The music is pumping, you’re dressed from head to toe in sequins and glitter (biodegradable of course!), and you’re putting the world to rights over some semi-warm ciders. You’re talking climate change, fast fashion,…
UK: The early May bank holiday weekend saw Event Genius record its busiest ever cashless weekend, becoming the first UK company to service four cashless events simultaneously, across two countries. By using Event Genius Pay, fans attending Annie Mac’s Lost & Found Festival (Malta), Forbidden Forest (UK), Pier Jam (UK) and Chelmsford Racecourse (UK) were all given the chance to pre-purchase credits online. On arrival, these credits were loaded onto RFID enabled wristbands, received in exchange for their ticket, that could be used to buy drinks, food and merchandise with a quick tap at the events’ bars or vendors. Over…