First Festival

In this final Q&A Episode, we tackle key questions, big talking points and offer foundational insights for Micro & Very Small Festivals. From legal experts on the pros and cons of festival business structure options, to demystifying funding opportunities. What to consider when managing your finances as a sole trader, and how to make up your essential marketing toolkit. Plus much more! Esse...

This week, we focus in on two vital pillars of any successful event: marketing & audiences. We discuss how to package your festival’s unique selling points, find your people, and turn one-off ticket sales into a dedicated community. Harri Rose from Found Festival joins us to share how leaning into being a micro festival can help you cut through a crowded market on a budget. Plus, freelance mar...

In this episode, we explore how sustainability and accessibility drive festival growth, helping organisers innovate and build new audiences. Shambala Festival and Vision for Sustainable Events Co-Founder Chris Johnson shares how the industry is moving towards sustainable practices, detailing Shambala's meat-free policy and transition to an employee ownership trust. Noteworthy Access consultant Yis...

In this episode, we dive into the financial heartbeat of event planning, covering budgeting, ticketing, and ancillary revenue. Shane Daunt, the organiser of Reading's Are You Listening and Down at the Abbey festivals, shares his journey of building sustainable local events, highlighting the realities of ticketing partnerships and bar operations. To complete the picture, finance expert Chris Carter...

Welcome to our very first Q&A episode! Host John Rostron and Sophie Evans from the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) team up to answer your questions. In this session, we unpack actionable strategies for nurturing your festival community from day one, break down the complexities of supplier deals, and explain how service level agreements protect your event from hidden costs. We also d...

This week, we focus in on the logistical heartbeat of event planning, exploring how robust production management - and all the associated paperwork - ensures a festival's survival beyond that initial spark of inspiration. We discuss how critical smooth site operations are and you can enjoy a high-stakes account of a last-minute premises licence application! Plus, we discuss tabletops, SAGs and com...

Let's explore the lifeblood of any event - the People that make it happen. In this episode we're joined by Sue Brand, founder of the mission-led TestFest, as she charts their journey from a small party in a field to a successful music festival dedicated to testicular cancer awareness. The discussion covers the importance of staying true to your purpose, the nuances of building an entirely voluntee...

Let's explore the foundational spark of any event - The Vision. In this episode we are joined by Leon Cole, co-founder of the legendary rave festival Field Maneuvers, as he charts their transition from a party for 300 to a near 2,000 capacity 'no-frills' success story. The discussion covers the importance of staying true to your creative roots, the steep learning curves of festival economics, and...

In this introductory episode, John Rostron (AIF CEO) and Sophie Evans (AIF Campaigns & Resources) reveal what you can expect from the First Festival podcast. They talk about the origins and purpose of the AIF, share their own First Festival memories, and outline the key topics the podcast will tackle - all designed to support emerging micro and very small festival organisers professionalise an...