The Association Of Independent Festivals (AIF) and the Music Venue Trust (MVT) have hailed the launch of new festival Where It All Began.
Due to take place from June 18-21 next year and with a planned capacity of 5-8,000, Where It All Began is a not-for-profit event aimed at “putting grassroots culture back at the heart of the industry”.
Where It All Began is led by Si Chai of independent live business Chai Wallas, is committed to “fair pay and opportunity for grassroots artists”, with a press release pledging to “remove inflated high-profile fees while upholding Musicians’ Union pay standards”.
With backing from Arts Council England, MVT, AIF, Secret Garden Party, Save Our Scene, The Beat Goes On and more, the event is built on a shared benefits model for venues, promoters, and partners, reducing financial risk, and ensures that tickets will be affordable. It is also in partnership with Leeds Conservatoire, BIMM Music Institute and Festival Lab.
AIF CEO John Rostron said: “Where It All Began offers a collaborative solution by providing struggling festivals with a platform to program stages, retain their identity and engage new audiences.”
MVT CEO Mark Davyd, added: “It’s initiatives like this that provide platforms for emerging artists and preserve the depth of grassroots venues nationwide.”
Freddie Fellowes, founder of Secret Garden Party, described the festival as “a bold initiative that could redefine independent festivals, creating a scalable, collaborative model for sustainability”.
A crowdfunding campaign for the event is now live.
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