As reported in the latest issue of Music Week, over the last decade the number of city-based festivals in the UK has risen dramatically.
Multi-venue music showcases with a conference element (such as Brighton’s The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City and Wrexham’s Focus Wales) have proved popular, as well as large-scale outdoor events like BST Hyde Park, Field Day and Manchester’s Parklife.
Various theories have been put forward as to why the city-based festival is on the rise.
Dave Pichilingi, the CEO of Liverpool Sound City, told Music Week: “People look for something new: the older, more traditional festivals are getting a bit tired and using the infrastructure of a city appeals to a certain type of promoter.”
Paul Reed, general manager of the Association Of Independent Festivals, suggested that the cost of urban festivals compared to the traditional greenfield model may also play a part.
“It’s an interesting model because it can be less of a financial risk,” said Reed. “You don’t have to build a town or city in a field so there’s less spend on infrastructure, because even a mid-sized event can spend £700,000 on festival-specific infrastructure.”
Jim King, director of BST Hyde Park, did, however, refute the theory that greenfield model festivals are on the way out.
“It’s not there to compete with camping festivals at all – I love camping festivals – they just offer two different experiences,” he said.
Pichilingi echoed this sentiment: “I think greenfield festivals and city festivals will sit in harmony side by side. Those that stick around will be those that are willing to change an innovate – those that think a lot about their customers and what they want and expect.”
For the full story, see this week’s edition of Music Week here.
Story by Sophie Nevrkla
