Toki Allison is Creative Production Coordinator at Nozstock: The Hidden Valley and also works for a tech company as an events coordinator. She has worked in content and event production for 12 years and has a rich understanding of communications and partnership development, fostered through periods working at the BBC and with arts organisations. Nozstock The Hidden Valley, Bromyard’s very own homegrown music and arts festival, is traditional in the best sense. Growing from a barbecue in 1998, it’s been a bit of a trial-and-error, organic adventure from the start and we continue to draw in volunteers from different arts…
Author: Festival Insights
UK: Celebrating 10 years since the original LeeFest kicked off in the back garden of founder Lee Denny, 2016 sees the emergence of the festival’s next chapter as it evolves into The Neverland. The Neverland will include three distinct, immersive realms: the neon-coated pop paradise of Mermaids Lagoon, the futuristic dystopia of Skull Ridge, and the tranquil Neverwoods. Between the three the festival will offer genre-spanning music, arts & crafts, high end production values and woodland vistas. LeeFest
Caught by the River is an online publication focused on decidedly non-digital pursuits, including but not limited to: literature, adventure, poetry, walking, fishing, looking, thinking, birdsong, beer, and – of course – ocean-bound waterways. Its founders will expand into new territory this August with the debut of Caught by the River Thames, a festival created in collaboration with Robomagic that will celebrate music plus all of the above. Insights spoke with Jeff Barrett, the festival and publication’s Co-Founder, about the influences and features that run through the River. Festival Insights: Aside from Pitchfork, I can’t think of any other media…
The Iberian Festival Awards will host its first edition on March 3 at FIL in Lisbon, celebrating the achievements of the Spanish and Portuguese festival industries and their affiliates. The event has revealed its shortlists for the event, which were decided upon via a combination of public votes and jury panels. Tickets are still available for the Awards, and can be purchased here. Check out who made the cut below. BEST MAJOR FESTIVAL Bilbao BBK Live (ES) DreamBeach Villaricos (ES) FIB – Festival Internacional de Benicassim (ES) FMM Sines (PT) Low Festival (ES) Madrid Live Festival (ES) Musa Cascais (PT)…
USA: Eventbrite, the world’s largest self-service ticketing and registration platform, has announced its acquisition of Queue through an asset purchase agreement. Queue, the industry-leading platform that helps streamline the workflow for venues and promoters with its planning and collaboration tools, complements Eventbrite’s robust ticketing and entry management capabilities, and together will provide an even more comprehensive solution for venues. The company plans to integrate Queue’s product offering into both its web platform and best-in-class mobile box office solution, Eventbrite Neon, later this year. Currently Queue’s products are available to customers in the USA only. “Queue builds on Eventbrite’s commitment to…
UK: The Big Kahuna is a new, three-day family-friendly music festival taking place on August Bank Holiday at Holmbush Forest in Horsham, Sussex. Set amidst the countryside and woodland, The Big Kahuna will run from August 26 – 29 and will feature music and entertainment across nine themed areas in the forest, plus comfortable camping, theatre, kids’ (and adults’) activities, silent disco, a fully themed Frozen cinema, delicious and fairly priced food, a multitude of bars (craft ale, rum, vodka and beyond), kids’ bar, interactive arts and crafts experiences, workshops, and much more. The first bands and DJs announced for…
UK: Lemonfest is a one-day music festival taking place in the heart of Devon at Newton Abbot’s Racecourse every summer, with live music and DJs across six stages. Now moving into its seventh year, Lemonfest has confirmed the first wave of acts its 2016’s event, taking place on June 4. The first names announced are: Beardyman, The Hot 8 Brass Band, The Computers, Barry Ashworth (Dub Pistols), The Church, Wildwood Kin, Frighdays, and Regime. Previous years have welcomed the likes of BRIT award winner Ben Howard, pop rock trio The Subways and reggae greats Gentleman’s Dub Club. Lemonfest
UK: The organisers of Bloc Festival have announced that the 2016 edition will be its last, with the team’s efforts redirected towards the creation of a London-based ‘super club’, surrounded by affordable music studios. Speaking to Resident Advisor, Bloc co-founder Alex Benson said: “It’s the final one and we won’t be doing any curtain calls, encores, reunion tours or one-last-jobs. “If you ever want to see the titans of techno (and related musics) face down with 6,000 ravers in a Butlins holiday park, this is your very last opportunity to do so.” The ‘super club’ will actually be an expansion…
DENMARK: The Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music will perform a rare concert at Roskilde Festival with Damon Albarn and guests, presented by Africa Express. Together, they have the task of opening the Danish festival’s Orange stage. The Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music, led by conductor Issam Rafea, first played with songwriter and producer Damon Albarn at the Damascus Opera House in 2008. Albarn later worked with Rafea and the Orchestra when they appeared on the Gorillaz track ‘White Flag’. The Orchestra, together with Rafea, later joined Gorillaz on their 2010 ‘Escape to Plastic Beach’ World Tour, which also…
UK: Sister festivals Parklife and Wild Life have announced names for their 2016 editions, taking over Manchester and Brighton respectively from June 11 – 12. Having successfully sold out both weekend festivals last year well in advance – with Wild Life selling out within 72 hours – the much-anticipated returns of Parklife and Wild Life are set to showcase line-ups that span dance, indie, pop and hip-hop with an array of stellar live acts, up-and coming talent and world-class DJs. With Parklife now in its seventh year and positioned as the UK’s fastest growing festival, its Brighton counterpart launched in…