22 festivals given support from Association of Independent Festivals and Skiddle partnerships

Longridge-based online ticketing platform Skiddle and the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) have teamed up for an industry-first support scheme helping the UK’s independent festival scene.

The initiative, created to champion and sustain the UK’s thriving independent events ecosystem, will provide winners with a free one-year membership to the AIF, granting access to a vast support network of expert peers and services, alongside a bespoke marketing support package from Skiddle.

The package will include a featured listing in Skiddle’s Festival Guide, reaching millions of monthly visitors and editorial and content support to showcase their events and lineups.

The other benefits include: full website design and build, where necessary and paid media support to reach new audiences and dedicated account management from Skiddle’s festival experts.

In addition, successful applicants will receive a free online event management course from Event Masters, plus a 30-minute brand consultation to help refine their festival’s positioning and audience strategy, and a free Songkick mailer to help boost promotion.

Festivals chosen to receive support include: Caribbean Rocks, Bexfest, Wentfest, Lazydays, Baltic Weekender, Valley Fest, Picnic and Pop, Priory Live, Street Eats 'n' Beats, Gemfest, The Brit Fest, Coalesce Festival, DAYS Festival, Stereofunk Festival, Summer Vibes, Betley Boogie, Moovin Fest, Love to Be Festival, Latino Life in the Park, Maid of Stone Festival, FOMO Fest and GoatFest.

Since its formation in 2008, the AIF has been the collective voice of the UK’s independent festivals, leading vital initiatives such as Safer Spaces at Festivals and offering training, advocacy, and legal support to help events thrive.

Including the 22 recipients of this bursary, AIF represents 171 festivals, with a total ticketed capacity of more than 1.35 million – now collectively larger than any of the major live music festival operators. Meanwhile, independent festivals outside of the AIF membership have an approximate combined capacity of 1.5 million, according to the association’s latest Festival Forecast, which was published in June.

Skiddle has long championed independent promoters and festivals, helping audiences discover and support live music experiences of every size.

Duncan King, head of festivals, Skiddle, said: "Driven by our long-standing commitment to the independent festival sector and a passion for supporting the incredible experiences the UK has to offer, we’ve teamed up with the AIF to help strengthen the industry for years to come.”

 John Rostron, chief executive of AIF, said: "I’m incredibly grateful to Skiddle for recognising the value that AIF brings to independent festivals all year round, and opening up this new opportunity for so many to join our growing network.

 “It’s a particularly important time for us as we create some new commercial opportunities for our members, and begin the hard work of trying to secure a music festival tax relief for grassroots festivals, all of which will be of enormous benefit to these 22 festivals we’re onboarding, thanks to Skiddle.”