SHOWGUIDE
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CONTENTS 04 Welcome
35 Best New Festival
07 UK Festival Conference 2014 - Overview
37 The Brand Activation Award
09 UK Festival Conference 2014 - Pills, Thrills &
39 Best Breakthrough Artist
Keeping the Punters Safe 11 UK Festival Conference 2014 - The Fat Bottom Line: It Makes the Rocking World Go Round 13 UK Festival Conference 2014 - Disruptive Innovation and the Data-Driven Future of Festivals 15 UK Festival Conference 2014 - Powerful Thinking Presents: The Show Must Go On 17 UK Festival Conference 2014 – Get the
41 The Grass Roots Festival Award 43 Best Overseas Festival 45 Best Family Festival 47 Line-Up of the Year 49 Anthem of the Summer 51 Best Dance Event 53 Agency of the Year 55 Headline Performance of the Year
Professionals In: Time to Bid Farewell to the
57 Best Toilets
Amateur Promoter?
59 Best Small Festival
18 The UK Festival Market Report 2014
61 Best Medium-Sized Festival
25 The Greener Festival Award
63 Best Major Festival
27 The Best Use of New Technology Award
65 Promoter of the Year
29 The Extra-Festival Activity Award
67 The Outstanding Contribution to Festivals Award
31 Best Metropolitan Festival
69 Thanks
33 Concession of the Year
TM
WELCOME...
...To the UK Festival Awards and Conference 2014 – a day and night of reflection, recognition and revelry. It’s time to look back over what has been another incredible festival year, take stock and plan for the season ahead. What an exciting time it is to be in the festival industry. Never before have event organisers enjoyed such direct and close relationships with their audiences, facilitated by the exponential advancement of technology and evermore proficient displays of fan engagement. In an era of heightened competition, promoters willing to adapt to these shifts in the market have been able to foster customer loyalty, provide significant new value to their sponsors and capitalise on lucrative secondary revenue streams. The astonishing 25% increase in votes cast in this year’s
awards is a testament that these forces are already in play, and we hope this is a positive portent for the future strength of the industry. With more festivals having applied to participate in these awards than ever before, confidence certainly appears to be abundant.
We want to extend a massive thanks to all who have been involved with the Awards and Conference, not just this year, but also for the ten preceding it. We are honoured to be able to host these events for you all and are truly grateful for the opportunity.
We hope you enjoy the conference sessions and find them valuable. This is a great time to review the past year, and consider the challenges and opportunities ahead. It’s of paramount importance to us that these sessions are as useful and productive as possible, so please do let us know your thoughts.
Thank you for flying the flag for music festivals in the UK. Here’s to vibrant and informative debates, followed by an exuberant and worthy celebration of the greatest festival industry in the world.
To those who have won awards, congratulations – they are all well deserved. If you haven’t won, then commiserations, but everyone who made it to the finalists in each category should be brimming with pride. The competition this year was fiercer than ever, reflecting the exceptional quality of events in today’s market.
Amy Wright James Drury Steve Jenner Tom Lawson
The UK Festival Awards Team Chris McCormick Justin Gawne Michael Baker
BARS | CATERING | PRODUCTION | BRANDS | MOBILE ATM’S PEOPLE | POP-UPS | HOSPITALITY | EPOS | CASHLESS
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FESTIVAL BARS | CONCERTS | STADIUMS | VENUES | SPORTS EVENTS
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE - at a glance 10:00 – REGISTRATION 10:30 - PILLS, THRILLS & KEEPING THE PUNTERS SAFE Focusing on methods of preventing increasingly sophisticated criminal elements from undermining the security and safety of your festival and its attendees, whether the threat takes the form of illegal and ‘legal’ drug distribution, campsite thievery, or fraudulent tickets & wristbands.
Moderated by: Jon Drape (Ground Control) Cameron Addicott Investigation, Intelligence & Security Consultant Fiona Measham Durham University / The Loop Showsec Venue & Event Security Specialists Rebecca Colvin UK Festival & Event Task Force
11.30 - THE FAT BOTTOM LINE: IT MAKES THE ROCKING WORLD GO ROUND How to maximise secondary revenue opportunities to increase your event’s profitability in an ultracompetitive market.
Moderated by: Sarah Woodhead Jon Sprank Jamie Smith Koen Hofmans Mariano Robles Lorcán Ó Murchú
Chris McCormick (Blue Peg) VIP Nation iZettle Kendal Calling PlugGo Airbeem Snoozebox
12:30 – COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH 13:30 - DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION AND THE DATA-DRIVEN FUTURE OF FESTIVALS The festival industry is being rebooted by technologists, creating great opportunities for those willing to embrace these shifts.
14:30 -
Moderated by John Probyn Donna Krawczyk Christof Huber Paul Pike Lawrence Griffith James Cobb
POWERFUL THINKING PRESENTS:
Some of the UK’s leading festivals consider the industry’s response to climate change and what the next twenty years might look like.
Greg Parmley (ILMC) Live Nation Barclaycard Open Air St. Gallen/Yourope IVS Digital Factory Crowd Connected
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Melvin Benn Alison Tickell Chris Johnson Katie Maddison Penny Mellor Rob Scully
Festival Republic Julie’s Bicycle Shambala Festival Bestival A Greener Festival Glastonbury
15:30 – COFFEE BREAK 15:45 – GET THE PROFESSIONALS IN: TIME TO BID FAREWELL TO THE AMATEUR PROMOTER? The festival industry has developed into a worldclass marketplace, but is still brought down too frequently by inexperienced operators collapsing. Is it time to flush them out?
Moderated by: Dan Walsh Zac Fox Kilimanjaro Live Jim King AEG Live Teresa Moore Bucks New University Mark Hamilton SRS International Steve Whistlecroft Endava Limvirak Chea Eventbrite
16:30 – CONFERENCE ENDS. UK FESTIVAL AWARDS STARTS WITH DRINKS RECEPTION AT 18.30 19.15 – Dinner 21.00 – Awards ceremony begins 00.45 – It’s all over!
UK
FESTIVAL AWARDS
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If you want to chat about any of the above: Call 0344 822 3910 or visit www.matthewclark.co.uk for more information.
CONFERENCE SESSION
PILLS, THRILLS & KEEPING THE PUNTERS SAFE Focusing on methods of preventing increasingly sophisticated criminal elements from undermining the security and safety of your festival and its attendees, whether the threat takes the form of illegal and ‘legal’ drug distribution, campsite thievery, or fraudulent tickets & wristbands.
Moderated by: Jon Drape (Ground Control) Cameron Addicott Investigation, Intelligence & Security Consultant Fiona Measham Durham University / The Loop Showsec Venue & Event Security Specialists Rebecca Colvin UK Festival & Event Task Force
CONFERENCE SESSION
THE Fat Bottom Line: it Makes The Rocking World Go Round How to maximise secondary revenue opportunities to increase your event’s profitability in an ultra-competitive market.
Moderated by: Sarah Woodhead Jon Sprank Jamie Smith Koen Hofmans Mariano Robles Lorcan o Murchu
Chris McCormick (Blue Peg) VIP Nation iZettle Kendal Calling PlugGo Airbeem Snoozebox
CONFERENCE SESSION
Disruptive Innovation and the Data-Driven Future of Festivals The festival industry is being rebooted by technologists, creating great opportunities for those willing to embrace these shifts.
Moderated by John Probyn Donna Krawczyk Christof Huber Paul Pike Lawrence Griffith James Cobb
Greg Parmley (ILMC) Live Nation Barclaycard Open Air St. Gallen/Yourope IVS Digital Factory Crowd Connected
Powerful Thinking is a notfor-profit industry think-do tank working towards an energy efficient, low carbon and cost effective future for festivals.
Projects and resources A free online tool which allows event organisers to compare their fuel use with industry averages, assess carbon impacts and provides an energy rating.
Online > Energy factsheets > Case studies > Latest news > The Power Behind Festivals Guide
Coming soon... Energy Revolution is an unprecedented collaboration taking place across the festival industry tackling climate change. Festivals and audiences will work together to reduce environmental impacts, account for emissions and drive investment into renewable energy projects.
2 7TH - 3 0 TH A U G U S T 2 0 1 5
www.powerful-thinking.org.uk
CONFERENCE SESSION
Powerful Thinking presents:
The Show Must Go ON Some of the UK’s leading festivals consider the industry’s response to climate change and what the next twenty years might look like.
Melvin Benn Alison Tickell Chris Johnson Katie Maddison Penny Mellor Rob Scully
Festival Republic Julies Bicycle (Chair) Shambala Festival Bestival A Greener Festival Glastonbury
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CONFERENCE SESSION
Get The Professionals In: Time to Bid Farewell to the Amateur Promoter? The festival industry has developed into a world-class marketplace, but is still brought down too frequently by inexperienced operators collapsing. Is it time to flush them out?
Moderated by: Zac Fox Jim King Teresa Moore Mark Hamilton Steve Whistlecroft Limvirak Chea
Dan Walsh Kilimanjaro Live AEG Live Bucks New University SRS International Endava Eventbrite
Meet the British festival-goers in 2014
33
Their average age is 48% are over 30 years old
30% are over 40
32% are aged between 18 and 25
36% are single and unattached
23% are married
33%
Scotland - 4%
have children (half of these have 2)
Their average salary is ÂŁ20,000 per year
26% earn less than ÂŁ10,000 per year
North West - 15%
North East - 8%
Midlands - 14% Wales - 4%
East Anglia - 7% London - 14%
South West - 15%
South East - 20%
Certain figures in this infographic have been omitted for brevity’s sake. The complete data will be available on Festival Insights in the near future
Promoters take note!
This is what your customers enjoy the most when attending festivals:
friends are attending 42%
The music 51.3 %
The Headliners 44%
quality of production/Organisation’ 49%
good previous experience 52%
The Overall Line-Up 60%
The things that matter most to your customers are:
Escaping from normal life 22.2 % Hanging out with friends 13.2 % Meeting new people 4.6 % Love of the great outdoors 4.1 %
the home comforts they miss the most
Getting back to basics 2.8 %
Clean, flushable toilet 23.1 %
Getting trashed 1.8 %
Bed 18.4 % Restrictions on what you could bring 6.0 %
Shower 9.5 % Decent mobile reception 5.6 % Phone charger 5.0 %
Having to walk a long way 6.3 % The price of tickets 6.5 %
33% did not miss anything! No showers or clean toilets 7.7 % what would stop them coming back next year
Wet and muddy conditions 8.4 %
Change of venue - 1.6%
Queues and overcrowding 8.5 %
5% increase in the price of alcohol - 6.7% Less high profile headline artistS - 18.8%
A 5% increase in the ticket price - 25.9%
The price of food and drink 9.4 % Favourite band Times clashing 16.4 %
Fewer acts / stages - 25.3%
21% would not be put off by any of the above
And their biggest UK festival gripes:
Consumer Behaviour & Preferences
BUYING TICKETS
76% of festival-goers think festival tickets are reasonably priced 18% think they offer great value for money 41% took advantage of an early-bird offer this year 6% purchased VIP/premium tickets 74% rated their ticket-purchasing experience as good (or better)
40% travelled by car, shared with 2 or more other people 20% travelled by train or coach
86% of festival-goers disapprove of secondary ticketing 31% want it to be banned 17% attended fewer UK festivals because of the tough economic climate
Top 5 reasons Brits preferred an overseas festival, in order: 1. Better
13% have attended a festival outside of the UK t
34% regularly
48%
11%
left their tent behind at a festival this year
of festival-goers smoke
53% could not remember any of the sponsors at the events they attended 95% were happy with the selection of food available 52% thought it was excellent!
25%
62%
thought food was over-priced
11% thought it was a total rip-off
57%
like pizza
36%
of festivalgoers like to eat vegetarian food
have taken drugs at a festival
The 5 most popular foods at UK festivals are, in order: Pizza, Gourmet Burgers, Mexican, Baguettes and Wraps
the average attendee’s total expenditure prior to the event (not including the ticket)
£130
bought an official festival t-shirt
20%
bought an official band t-shirt at a festival
Festival Accommodation Choices
£98.60 30%
the average attendee’s total expenditure on-site
the average attendee’s daily expenditure on FOOD at a festival
£18.76
Standard Camping 68.9% Hotel off-site 9.4% 12.3%
43%
paid to use a premium toilet facility at UK festivals this year
think more festivals should make these facilities available
Camper Van 6.4% Glamping/ VIP Camping (4.0%)
71.1% of people who paid for premium accommodation felt it offered good value for money 85.3% would pay for premium accommodation again in future
r weather 2. Cheaper tickEts 3. Cheaper food & drink 4. Better atmosphere 5. Better line-up
this year 52% said the experience was better compared to UK festivals They’re Passionate About Music
74% always pay for their music 59% download on iTunes 50% stream on Spotify
£24.00 =the average attendee’s daily
£
expenditure on alcohol at a festival
Bar rs Operato ! te Take No
72% thought drinks were over-priced
These are the top 8 improvements ATTENDEES would like to see you offer:
49% still buy CD’s 26% like metal 34% like HIP HOP/R&B
They like a drink
73% like rock music
54% like pop 69% like indie 59% like dance music
Discounts on group orders (6 or more drinks) Free public wi-fi in the vicinity of the bar Phone charging facilities The ability to pay with your debit / credit card The ability to pay with funds loaded onto wristband A wider selection of beers A wider selection of cocktailS A wider selection of wines
36% go to 22% go festivals with an open budget
AY FOR WAYS TO P E IT R U O V FA L, BY A FESTIVA T A K IN R D : A USED THEM THOSE WHO
with a fixed budget but usually end up spending more than they intended
DEBIT CARD CREDIT OR USING OWN -SITE VIA ATM ON USING CASH CARD OR SH G CA TOKENS USIN AND TB IS WR CASHLESS
01 02 03 04
Festival Accommodation Choices:
The av ge rraaag veeer geer feTTh shteievaaav orer l fe st -ogeoe iv al l aftetstenivda g-g tetnd esnds1s01010r gigat t a s a ea gigsigsayeaye aryar g
Standard Camping 68.9%
Hotel off-site 9.4%
Reading festival news
CHECKING email
35.3%
Using the festival’s official app
44%
Sending photos
59.3%
Instant Messaging
Sharing their experience on Facebook
68.5%
Top 10 things people use smartphones for at festivals Tracking weather forecasts
Calling / texting people back home
20% would prefer to use a pre-loaded RFID cashless 51% of UK system festival-goers would prefer to use cash to purchase drinKS
Calling to stay in touch with friends at the event
Glamping/ VIP Camping 4%
Texting to stay in touch with friends at the event
Camper Van 6.4%
32.7%
23.5%
21.1%
20.3%
16.9%
16.3%
They are most receptive to the following forms of festival advertising:
85% Posters or outdoor ads
82% Radio ads 41%
like cockta
81% Magazine or newspaper ads
76% TV ads
74% Facebook ads
Tech
91% of
second, cheaper handset to festivals
10 O
nli
n
or UK festival-goer s rms f tfo
12% take a
T op
Pla
festival-goers own a smart-phone
T he
al oc i eS
Facebook 89.20% YouTube 82.16% Twitter 59.19% Whatsapp 51.78% Spotify 49.70% Instagram 45.44% Snapchat 38.32% Google+ 34.49% LinkedIn 30.29% Tumblr 14.47% 9% d poste have n social to o a pho whilst at ia d e m which tival a fes ave later h they retted reg
85% are on a fixed monthly contract
67% would use their smartphones more at festivals if the reception was better 54% re-charged their phone during a festival
Mobile network market-share for festival-goers
T-Mobile - 3.0%
Tesco Mobile - 3.9%
Orange - 4.9%
Virgin - 5.3% Vodafone 17.6% 2 ch lik 9% am e pa gn e
Three - 9.6% EE - 23.9%
ails
O2 - 25.2%
ket et mar s d n a h Mobile are for UK sh : l-goers festiva
% e - 49.4 n o h iP % Apple g - 23.2 Samsun 7.8 % Nokia - % .6 HTC - 5 % 5.6 Sony .2 % y rr - 2 Blackbe .0 % LG - 2
Bucks New University, Official Partner of the UK Festival Awards and Conference Sponsors of The Greener Festival Award Bucks New University has a 20-year heritage of industry degrees in music production and event management. Sustainable events are a priority within the festival sector and Bucks has been at the forefront of innovations to support this agenda, particularly through our association with A Greener Festival. Our BSc (Hons) Event & Festival Sustainability Management has been tailored to deliver graduates qualified to deal with the demand for greater sustainability and environmental care surrounding live events and festivals. Bucks has been instrumental in delivering Music and Event Management undergraduate degrees and our alumni are among the most influential in the music industry. #BucksMusic @BucksMusicDept facebook.com/BucksMusicDepartment
0800 0565 660 advice@bucks.ac.uk bucks.ac.uk/music
THE AWARDS THE GREENER FESTIVAL AWARD IN ASSOCIATION WITH
The Greener Festival Award is chosen by the team at AGreenerFestival.com from all of the UK festivals who enter the Greener Festival Awards scheme. The overall winner is the festival at which A Greener Festival identifies organisers have worked most effectively to reduce the festival’s environmental impact, are actively seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are encouraging and facilitating their audience to follow suit. A Greener Festival’s mantra is ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and it is looking for effective and practical solutions in the fight against pollution and climate change. This shortlist reflects the best-performing festivals that entered the scheme in the UK.
FINALISTS BBC Hyde Park Proms Cambridge Folk Festival End of the Road Glasgow 2014 Glastonbury Festival Greenbelt Nozstock: The Hidden Valley Shambala Festival T in the Park Wood Festival
THE AWARDS The Best Use of New Technology Award IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Technological advancement is one of the strongest forces propelling the festival marketplace forward. Whether these innovations are applied to help organisers forge closer relationships with their audiences online, or to enhance visitor experiences and operational efficiencies on-site, it’s evident that festivals are evolving at a faster rate than ever. This award recognises the individual application of new technology at a specific event that offers the greatest promise for the future of the market as a whole.
FINALISTS Bestival – For its fan ambassador scheme using an online platform provided by The Physical Network.
Creamfields – For its ambitious live Youtube stream covering every stage at the festival.
Eden Sessions – For its live global broadcast on Youtube, delivered in association with Asus.
Liverpool Sound City – For its iOS-integrated itinerary scheduling system.
Lovebox – For its mobile audience engagement platform, delivered in association with HTC and using technology provided by Airbeem.
The Parklife Weekender – For its revolutionary substanceanalysis system supplied by The Loop and working with Greater Manchester Police.
Salford Music Festival – For its smart, integrated ‘Event1’ event management system provided by 1SecureWeb.
V Festival – For its ‘FanPic’ social engagement application, delivered in cooperation with Ticketmaster.
Wireless Festival - For its smart visitor tracking system, provided by Crowd Connected and working with Eventbase.
Y01 Festival – For its new queue-busting electronic access control system delivered by We Scan Tickets.
BOoK YOUR TICKETS NOW! Visit tpiAwards.com to view the nomineEs FOR the 2015 TPi Awards
ERIOPAS ER SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
RI
ERIOPAS
ERIOPAS
IOP
THE AWARDS The Extra-Festival Activity Award
The advent of the so-called ‘boutique festival’ has created a huge paradigm shift in the festival market, spurning an increased demand for pop-up performances, mass participation games, eclectic cuisine, quirky installations or just spectacular attention to detail. This award celebrates the most creative initiative taken on this year’s festival circuit.
FINALISTS 3 Wishes Faery Fest Beat Herder Deerstock Festival No.6 Secret Garden Party Somersault The Secret Festival Victorious Wilderness Y Not/Truck/Brownstock
Intelligent mobile apps for festivals
READY TO OWN YOUR AUDIENCE? YOUR FESTIVAL APP RE-IMAGINED AS A YEAR-ROUND MEDIA CHANNEL YOUR AUDIENCE ENGAGED 24 / 7 / 365 YOUR TICKET SALES FASTER AND EASIER
THE EXTRA FESTIVAL AWARD IN ASSOCIATION WITH AIRBEEM airbeem.com T: +44 (0) 7800 616000
Bes Nomin t of New ated: T Love ech Aw ard box
Official Partner
THE AWARDS Best Metropolitan Festival
Those averse to camping out in the sticks can enjoy these urban events a little more, safe in the knowledge that they’ll be [hopefully] returning to a bed at the end of the night. Sold either on a show-by-show basis, or via an all encompassing wristband, they give people chance to see multiple acts in the comfort of the indoors. Which one had you ditching green fields for the concrete jungle?
FINALISTS Blackpool Music Festival Dot to DoT Fusion Festival Great Escape, The Live at Leeds Liverpool Sound City MADE Birmingham Slam Dunk Festival Tramlines Whitby Goth Weekend
bigcongratulations bigcongratulations to all our award nominee clients. The Imaginators branding team are proud to have worked with you.
2000trees
Global Gathering
Rewind North
Boardmasters
Latitude
South West Four
Bloodstock Open Air
Leeds Festival
Sonisphere Festival
British Summer Time
Lovebox
T in the Park
Festival No.6
Love Supreme
Tramlines
Fusion Festival
Parklife Weekender V Festival
Glastonbury
Reading Festival
Wireless Festival
www.imaginators.co.uk tony.hills@imaginators.co.uk 01992 890800
THE AWARDS Concession of the Year
Food, drink, cash machines, and merchandise: the essentials that keep festival-goers on their feet. These amenities not only provide an essential source of income for festivals, but can also make a huge difference to the overall colour of an event. Staff are there day and night, rain or shine, with a smile and good humour, and this award acknowledges the hard work they do and the importance of concessions at festivals.
FINALISTS Gandhis Flip Flop Gizzi Erskine’s Chefs Club Goodness Gracious Healthy Foods Happy Maki Sushi Hot Rocks Pizza La Grande Bouffe Lulu’s Cafe Mocha Mania Paelleria Smoke Stack
idcband.co.uk making wristbands do more
One RFID Wristband. Endless Possibilites.
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THE AWARDS Best New Festival IN ASSOCIATION WITH
In what many would argue is an already over-saturated market, these debutantes managed to navigate the battle royale of the festival circuit and hold their own against established titans. Bringing a fresh take, new music and alternative audiences to the festival scene, which one have you already put in your diary for next time?
FINALISTS Mutiny in the Park No Tomorrow OnBlackheath Red RoosteR Rewind North Secret Festival, The Somersault Festival Summer Sizzler Together Festival UKG Fest
GLOBAL ON TRADE CONSULTING
www.cgastrategy.co.uk • info@cgastrategy.co.uk • @cga_strategy Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8330 • Fax: +44 (0)161 476 0456
THE AWARDS The Brand Activation Award IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Sponsorship is a revenue stream that many festivals now depend on for their very existence. Yet creating an effective brand strategy around festivals that adds, rather than detracts, from the experience is an art form in itself. This award celebrates the most creative and well-executed sponsor activity this year.
FINALISTS Aperol Spritz Desperados Dr. Martens Laurent Perrier Malibu Mulberry Relentless Energy Drink Tuborg Virgin Media Virgin Trains
Connecting millions of music lovers with events worldwide and supporting the live music industry since 2002.
THE AWARDS Best Breakthrough Artist IN ASSOCIATION WITH
curated by
Amidst the sea of ubiquitous mainstream sensations, a few innovative underground acts rise through the ranks each year thanks to more discerning festival-goers and organisers who are willing to take a risk showcasing relatively unproven talent. This award celebrates those who are on the path to becoming the headliners of tomorrow.
FINALISTS The 1975 Augustines Blood Red Shoes Catfish & The Bottlemen Goat Jagwar Ma Royal Blood Sophie Ellis-Bextor The War on Drugs Wolf Alice
THE AWARDS The Grass Roots Festival Award
Often the best small festivals spring from an organic labour of love and a visionary idealism that resonates with thousands. These festivals should be celebrated, not just for the courage, commitment and often personal sacrifice invested by their organisers, but also because they never forget where they’ve come from, supporting both local communities and new music along the way while maintaining an independent spirit and resisting commercial saturation. All hail the grass roots festivals and their creators!
FINALISTS 2000trees Barn on the Farm Beautiful Days Bloodstock Open Air Eden Festival Green Man In The Woods Festival Jimmy’s Sausage & Beer Festival Leopallooza Y Not Festival
THE BEST EUROPEAN FESTIVALS UNDER ONE ROOF Tickets available from eu.festivalawards.com/tickets For more information, contact STEVE JENNER, STEVE@festivalawards.com
THE AWARDS Best Overseas Festival IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Depending on the year, the term ‘British Summer’ can seem like an oxymoron, and so increasing numbers of Brits are flocking abroad with the incentives of cheap flights, exotic cultures and warmer climates.
FINALISTS Benicassim (Spain) Coachella (USA) Ibiza Rocks (Spain) Outlook (Croatia) NOS Alive - formerly Optimus Alive (Portugal) Pinkpop (The Netherlands) Rock am Ring/ Rock Im Park (Germany) Sonar (Spain) Snowbombing (Austria) Splendour In The Grass (Australia) Tomorrowland (Belgium) Wacken Open Air (Germany)
COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE GLOBAL FESTIVAL INDUSTRY www.festivalinsights.com
THE AWARDS Best Family Festival IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Growing up doesn’t mean you have to stop going to festivals - it just gives you a great opportunity to bring your kids! Every year, there seems to be more and more children at festivals, with specifically designed spaces and facilities for kids reflecting this growth. Games, workshops, play areas and activities for youngsters all combine to make their weekend a memorable one – and often a much easier one for mums and dads. Which festival was the most enjoyable for families this year?
FINALISTS British Summer Time Hyde Park Beautiful Days Camp Bestival Eden Festival Green Man Jamie Oliver & Alex James present The Big Feastival Kendal Calling Latitude Leopallooza Victorious Festival
THE AWARDS Line-Up Of The Year IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Despite how many quirky art installations and pun-based concession stands your festival has, it will always be the line-up that shifts the most tickets. Booking a few curveball acts, legendary reunions, and under-the-radar innovators can set an event apart from the multitude of less inspired rosters around.
FINALISTS Beacons Festival Bestival Creamfields End Of The Road Festival Number 6 Green Man Latitude Liverpool Music Week Liverpool Sound City Love Supreme Jazz Festival Lovebox OnBlackheath Wireless
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THE AWARDS Anthem of the Summer IN ASSOCIATION WITH
The ultimate test of any song is how it’s received live – and there’s no better place to gauge this than at festivals. While thousands of great records have been lapped up by millions over the summer, a few stood out as true populist classics, creating defining festival moments and were sung all the way back to the campsite. Which one epitomised the spirit of summer 2014.
FINALISTS The 1975 – ‘Chocolate’ Arctic Monkeys - ‘R U Mine’ Calvin Harris – ‘Summer’ Dolly Parton – ‘Jolene’ Hozier – ‘Take Me To Church’ Metallica - ‘Whiskey In The Jar’ OutKast – ‘Ms Jackson’ Pharell Williams - ‘Happy’ Royal Blood - ‘Come On Over’ Sam Smith – ‘Stay With Me’
2014: 20+ FESTIVALS - 30+ PROJECTORS 50+ MEDIA SERVERS - 5000M2 OF LED 1.1 MILLION TOTAL AUDIENCE BIG THANKS TO ALL THE FESTIVALS WE SUPPLIED!
LET’S MAKE 2015 EVEN BIGGER!
PROJECTION • LED SCREENS • MEDIA SERVERS CAMERA SYSTEMS • HD RECORDS EXPERIENCED CREW
THE AWARDS Best Dance Event IN ASSOCIATION WITH
As the cultural relevance of rock music arguably continues to wane, electronic-centric events are becoming increasingly prevalent and prestigious. For those willing to ignore their circadian rhythm in exchange for four-to-the-floor beats and delirium-inducing visuals, these events are synonymous with a good time.
FINALISTS Beat Herder Bestival Creamfields GlobalGathering Lovebox Mutiny in the park South West Four The Parklife Weekender Tramlines We Are FSTVL
THE AWARDS Agency of the Year IN ASSOCIATION WITH
This award recognises the booking agency responsible for making the greatest positive contribution to this summer’s festival content.
FINALISTS 13 Artists CAA CODA Echo Location Talent Agency ITB K2 Primary The Agency Group WME X-Ray
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THE AWARDS Headline Performance of the Year IN ASSOCIATION WITH
curated by
A killer headline performance can be talked about for years to come, etched into musical history as one of those I was there moments. To succeed requires energy, musicianship, dedication, creativity and a fortuitous coming together of time and space. Some acts may be regulars on the festival circuit, but which one really nailed it this year?
FINALISTS Arcade Fire at Glastonbury Arctic Monkeys at Reading & Leeds Biffy Clyro at T In The Park Foals at Bestival Kasabian at Glastonbury The Killers at V Festival The Libertines at British Summer Time Linkin Park at Download The Prodigy at Sonisphere Metallica at Glastonbury Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Isle Of Wight Suede at Kendal Calling
COLLECTIVE VOICE. MUTUAL SUPPORT. INDIVIDUAL BENEFITS.
THE VOICE BEHIND THE UK’S FINEST FESTIVAL PRODUCTION PEOPLE.
THE AWARDS Best Toilets
Although it may not be the most glamorous aspect of an event, the quality and quantity of the toilet facilities are incredibly important to attendees. Whether they take the form of pristine portaloos or potentially kraken-infested longdrops, a festival’s toilet situation is indicative of the respect (or lack thereof) that organisers have for their audience.
FINALISTS Creamfields Download Festival End Of The Road Kendal Calling Larmer Tree Festival Latitude Reading & Leeds Truck Festival V Festival We Are FSTVL
STOCK UP ON GREAT BRITAIN’S No.1 MODERN CIDER* • Successful track record innovating at scale, with two new variants selling over 17m bottles in the first year of launch.** • Recruiting a younger and more affluent consumer. • Investing more than any other modern cider brand in 2014 with an £11m media campaign that celebrates the colourful Bulmers range.
*Nielsen 52 w/e 11/10/14 & CGA 52 w/e 04/10/14. ** Nielsen GB MAT w/e 1st March 2014. CGA GB MAT w/e 25th Jan 2014.
THE AWARDS Best Small Festival IN ASSOCIATION WITH
What these intimate events lack in scope they compensate for with an abundance of idiosyncrasies and grass roots appeal. Despite their minimal capacity, many of these cater to their audiences with such focus and peculiar charm that larger events may seem bland in comparison.
FINALISTS 2000trees Barn on the Farm Bearded Theory Beat Herder Brownstock Festival Cambridge Folk Festival Festival No.6 Jimmy’s Sausage & Beer Festival Leopallooza Zoo Project Festival, The
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THE AWARDS Best Medium-Sized Festival IN ASSOCIATION WITH
With a tendency to shy away from big names and shift the focus towards specific genres and unique non-musical experiences, the rising popularity of these events demonstrates that unpredictability and character pay off. Some will continue to expand and join the ranks of the majors, whilst others will probably settle happily into their niche and stay there.
FINALISTS Beautiful Days Bloodstock Open Air Boardmasters Camp Bestival Green Man Kendal Calling Latitude Secret Garden Party We Are FSTVL Y Not Festival
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x 200.000 Number of festival-goers powered by PLUGGO in 2014
x 3,240 Costumers per hour
x 300.000 Total number of PLUGGO chargers rented or sold at festivals
x 54 Costumers per minute
THE AWARDS Best Major Festival IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Like temporary cities, the largest festivals are a regular pilgrimage and a rite of passage for many. An affront to the adage that less is more, these behemoths certainly have quantity covered when it comes to capacity, stages, acts and practically every other conceivable aspect. But which one will prove to be of the highest quality?
FINALISTS Bestival British Summer Time Hyde Park Creamfields Download Festival Glastonbury GlobalGathering Isle of Wight Festival Reading & Leeds Sonisphere Festival T in the Park V Festival Wireless Festival
THE AWARDS Promoter of the Year IN ASSOCIATION WITH TM
Recognising the festival organiser who has produced an outstanding event, overcome adversity, or truly gone above and beyond the call of duty and pulled something phenomenal out of the bag. There’s always at least one each year - often several - so this one is a very tough call for judges.
FINALISTS AMust4Music (Bloodstock) Count Of Ten Group (Y Not, Truck, Brownstock, Hevy, Tramlines) DF Concerts (T In The Park) John Giddings and Solo (Isle Of Wight Festival) Red Jelly Productions (Xstatic Summer Festival) Rich Bryan (Bearded Theory) Rob Star (Eastern Electrics) Scott Barton (Creamfields) The Zoo Project Festival Team Vision Nine (Boardmasters, NASS)
THE AWARDS The Outstanding Contribution to Festivals Award IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Dedicated to an individual whose personal vision and energy has propelled the entire festival marketplace forward in a dynamic, creative and positive way.
THIS YEAR’S WINNER
ROB DA BANK
Rob da Bank is a world-renowned curator of independent and eclectic music. He founded Bestival in 2004, setting the benchmark for ‘boutique’ festivals, blossoming into the UK’s largest independent major festival with its famously diverse line-up, kaleidoscopic feast of off-stage delights and a character that has spread to so many other colourful and vibrant live events in the UK and beyond. 2008 saw ‘little sister’ Camp Bestival launched to cater for festival-goers with younger children and this has followed in similar stead, becoming one of the most celebrated and commended family festivals in the UK. As a Radio broadcaster, Rob has had a weekly show on BBC
Radio One for over ten years and is known for discovering and breaking new artists into the mainstream. He has a weekly radio show on American station Evolution / I Heart Radio featuring an upfront selection of various dance styles and genres, and also regularly hosts guests shows on BBC 6 Music. His record label Sunday Best is home to such luminaries as David Lynch, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Valerie June and dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip. In 2014 he launched Earworm, which specialises in providing music supervision, original composition and talent procurement for film, TV, videogames and advertising.
THE AWARDS WHAT OTHERS SAY Melvin Benn, Festival Republic: “Very good news and very well deserved. Bestival is a great festival and Rob’s contribution to festival life in the UK is correctly being rewarded. Many congratulations.” Harvey Goldsmith CBE: “Congratulations to Rob on winning the Outstanding Contribution to Festivals Award. He has set the benchmark high for Festivals in the UK and around the world combining his passion for music with a unique blend of activities. Best wishes to him.” Scott Barton & James Barton (Cream): “We’ve known Robbie since his early journo days at Muzik Magazine and since then he’s achieved so much. His relentless belief in music and the scene was evident even back then. He’s a man of many talents and his creative edge is something that stands him above all others, something evident to everyone who’s ever been to Bestival. Remaining true to his beliefs he is a true musical ambassador and one of the nicest guys you could meet. Congratulations Robbie on winning this well deserved award for Outstanding Contribution, we’re excited to see what else you’ve got in store for us.” Ralph Broadbent, Count Of Ten Group: “Rob has spearheaded the rise of one of the most successful festivals in the UK. It’s a phenomenal achievement in such a crowded marketplace but more
than that, it’s raised the bar for festivals all around the country. The Outstanding Contribution Award is very well deserved indeed.” Freddie Fellowes, Secret Garden Party: “Robby deserves this just on the strength and size of his shiny disco balls.” Andy Rea, 2000Trees: “Rob not only curates amazing festivals, he fights the good fight for independent events and the live music industry, with the AIF going from strength to strength. Thoroughly well deserved.” Sacha Lord-Marchionne, The Warehouse Project & Parklife: “I’m delighted that this year’s Outstanding contribution to Festivals goes to Rob da Bank. Ok, he does that thing on that island down South but we all know that isn’t the real reason he has won this award. Lets face it, Rob, very much like myself, has great hair.” Simon Taffe, End Of The Road: “Rob Da Bank has been at the forefront of the Independent Festival scene for over 10 years now and he has always stuck to his own thing. I can’t think of anyone else who deserves this award more at this point! For Bestival and Camp Bestival to be where they are today in this competitive market is quite remarkable.”
Mike Deane, Founder and Director of Liverpool Music Week recounts a specific act of compassion that defined Rob for him as not only an exceptional festival organiser but also an outstanding human being in the music industry “Aside from the incredible line-ups each year across his award-winning Bestival events, which I’m sure everyone else will touch upon, for me Robby was at the centre of the most amazing gestures I’ve seen in the music industry. “In the wake of the tragic coach crash for Bestival-goers from Liverpool, the full Bestival family offered truly genuine love and support for the families of the victims. Robby and his team delivered an incredible memorial and fundraising night at Nation in Liverpool, which was packed to the rafters and was real celebration of those who had died. “He also was especially there for the family of the youngest victim, Michael Molloy, helping to achieve his dream of his music entering the UK charts, by releasing the last single that Michael cowrote with my devastated brother-in-law, Alex Evans, on Robby’s record label, Sunday Best. “I know that the families and friends were incredibly touched and indeed overwhelmed by how geniune Robby and the Bestival Family were in their support of everyone involved. But this act of kindness for me is what Robby is all about. “If there is one person in UK music who fully deserves all of their success, it’s Robby. He is a genuine guy who cares so much about what he does and what goes on in the industry. Congratulations on your award Robby - truly deserved!”
THANK YOU! THE FESTIVAL AWARDS TEAM WOULD LIKE TO SAY A MASSIVE THANK-YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE, WITHOUT WHOSE HELP THIS YEAR’S EVENT COULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED
AGreenerFestival Airbeem Bucks New University Clash Drowned in Sound Eurosonic Noorderslag Eventbrite Fan Teamz Festival HQ Gigwise Heineken ID&C Imaginators In-Site Interactive Intelligent Venue Solutions IQ magazine iZettle Last.fm Live UK magazine Matthew Clark Music Week Peppermint Bars PlugGO Powerful Thinking Snack Media Snoozebox The European Sponsorship Association TPi White Light XL Video Yourope
All festivals which took part All the artists which were involved All panellists at the conference All the judges who helped decide the awards Everyone who contributed to over 720,000 votes At Full Fat PR: Dan Walsh Sean Harwood Festival Awards Team: Amy Wright - Mondiale Events Director Tom Lawson - Mondiale Events Chris McCormick - Director Steve Jenner - Director Michael Baker - Editor of Festival Insights Andy Lenthall - PSA Mel Robinson - Mondiale Design Justin Gawne - Mondiale Publishing Damian Walsh - Mondiale Publishing