(VIP-NEWS) — After a challenging year marked by record cancellations and significant changes in the independent festival sector, the first sessions for the 2025 Festival Congress have been announced.
Returning to Bristol Beacon, UK, on February 5-6, the annual event—organized by the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), which represents the interests of 145 UK music festival operators—will bring together industry professionals to address pressing issues and celebrate the resilience of the sector.
The past year has been particularly turbulent for independent festivals in the UK. While some events experienced unprecedented sellouts, the sector faced a record 78 cancellations in 2024 due to rising costs, logistical hurdles, and weather-related challenges. Despite these difficulties, AIF membership has grown to its highest levels, with organizers banding together to navigate the evolving landscape.
In response to these challenges, the 2025 Festival Congress has expanded to a two-day format, creating more opportunities for networking, collaboration, and future-focused discussions. The additional day will include sessions aimed at supporting young professionals and students aspiring to enter the festival industry.
The Congress will feature a robust program of lightning talks, workshops, and panels addressing critical topics such as the value of independence, sustainability, and compliance with the forthcoming Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (Martyn’s Law).
A highlight of the event will be a real-world case study exploring how an independent festival managed significant challenges during the 2024 season, providing insights into the vital role of industry support.
Reflecting on the past year, AIF CEO John Rostron acknowledged the difficulties faced by the sector. This has been an incredibly tough year for the UK’s independent festival sector, but this event never fails to make me proud of our community. We have record cancellations this year—78 so far—but we also have some incredible stories to celebrate. Through this hardship, AIF membership has grown to record numbers, and the independent festival community is together to take this fight on. The Festival Congress is the biggest date in our calendar to meet, discuss challenges, and exchange ideas, but it`s also an opportunity to witness our strength in numbers and the sheer resilience, creativity, and camaraderie that keeps us all going.”
