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AIF Highlights Role of UK Independent Festivals
May9
The UK Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has launched the inaugural First Festival Week 2026, a nationwide campaign aimed at highlighting the role of the UK’s independent festivals in supporting emerging artists and live music culture.
The initiative will run from May 15-21 ahead of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend and the wider summer festival season, with support from BBC Music. According to AIF, more than 200 independent festivals across Britain will take part through television, radio, social media and online activity.
The campaign aims to highlight the contribution of independent festivals as development platforms for new talent outside the major corporate festival market. Participating festivals will share archive footage, images and stories documenting early performances from artists who later progressed to headline status.
Among the artists referenced in the campaign are Olivia Dean, Lola Young, CMAT, Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Twin Atlantic, Self Esteem, Ben Howard and Idles.
110 Above Festival highlighted early appearances by Olivia Dean and Lola Young during its restricted-attendance 2020 edition held during the COVID-19 pandemic. Festival founder Michael Lain said both artists returned in subsequent years as their careers developed.
Deer Shed Festival referenced an early performance by CMAT in 2022 before the artist later returned to headline the festival. Festival director Megan Evans said the progression illustrated how audiences can witness artists developing from smaller slots to headline positions.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival pointed to early performances from Twin Atlantic, Sam Fender, Self Esteem, Emeli Sandé and Lewis Capaldi. Event producer Dougie Brown said the festival has regularly seen artists return later in their careers as headline acts after initially appearing on smaller stages.
AIF CEO John Rostron said: “So many artists dream of headlining festivals, but the route to becoming a festival headliner often comes from years of playing across outdoor stages, in and out of tents and through multi-venue festivals. Those first festival performances are so special for artists and audiences alike.”
The Association of Independent Festivals represents around 170 UK music festivals, which collectively sell more than 1.35 million tickets annually.
Pictured: Lola Young performing at 110 Above Festival in 2021. Photo credit: Richard Milburn.
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