Featured Image: John Rostron talking at the AIF Festival Congress
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has called on the UK’s Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee to begin a ‘State of Play’ inquiry into the future of UK festivals.
The plea was made during the recent AIF congress in the English city of Bristol, with AIF chief executive John Rostron urging attendees to back a campaign for an inquiry into the durability of the sector.
Some 78 festivals were cancelled, postponed or discontinued in 2024; five have already been cancelled this year alone.
The CMS Select Committee called for submissions to suggest themes or sectors that should be part of a new inquiry ‘State of Play’ at the end of last year. AIF has now called for this inquiry to explore the challenges facing independent festivals, while recognising the opportunities and success that these events bring to the economy at both a local and national level, as well as communities.
AIF believes that a successful inquiry would lead to recommendations from the Select Committee to the government to champion support for independent festivals.
The organisation has also been petitioning the government to temporarily lower VAT on music festival tickets from 20% to 5% for three years. These calls have been rejected by successive governments.
“Grassroots independent music festivals are more than events; they’re the lifeblood of the UK arts landscape, providing a platform for emerging talent, supporting local economies and bringing joy to millions. But without government support, these festivals face unprecedented challenges,” said Rostron.
“A State of Play inquiry from the UK Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee is a new opportunity to make our voices heard, and we need the whole festival sector to get behind us.”
AIF hopes that a successful State of Play inquiry into festivals would result in four key outcomes including the recognition that festivals are falling at an alarming rate; a temporary fiscal intervention from the government could prevent closures and lead to growth; recognition of the cultural and economic value of independent, grassroots festivals; and the recognition that current policies are failing UK festivals.
Rostron added: “The MPs on this Committee have the power to lobby the government for the support we need. We believe a State of Play inquiry into festivals will demonstrate the desperate need for more support for independents. Through this submission to the CMS Committee, we can champion the changes needed for the survival of UK grassroots, independent festival culture.”
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