From Wet Leg forming on our Ferris Wheel and boygenius making their global debut in the forest, to Perfume Genius evolving from a quiet discovery into an icon on our stages over the years, or Arlo Parks stunning the Garden pre-Mercury Prize - it all starts with intimate crowds witnessing the beginning of something massive at Larmer Tree.
End of the Road, which is celebrating its 20th edition this year, is excited to spotlight visionary artists early on and as part of the @aif_uk “First Festival” initiative, proud to highlight this week the vital role independent festivals play as the essential pipeline for the stars of tomorrow.
Were we your first festival? Let us know in the comments. 👇
SHARE YOUR MEMORIES! 📸✨
We’re thrilled to be part of First Festival Week 2026, a national campaign celebrating the UK’s legendary independent music festival scene! 💥
At Outcider Festival we’ve always been a launchpad for incredible talent. It’s such a buzz seeing an artist on our stage before they become superstars, but none of that happens without YOU showing up and supporting them from day one 😎
Help us celebrate!
Name and tag any artists you first discovered at Outcider, especially those who you are still following now. Are there any you saw as opening acts that went on to reach the big time?! Is there a special moment from one particular band in the Fernhill Farm barns?? 🎸
We can think of a few, but it's not about us... it's about YOU!
Feel free to share photos, tag your festival friends and let's spread the buzz 🐝
Part of a great initiative from the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF): check out this great new resource (and the Outcider listing!) at
https://here.live/discover#outcider-festival
#fuelledbycider #aif #FirstFestivalWeek
#SupportIndependentFestivals
Did you know it's the @aif_uk First Festival Week starting tomorrow?! To celebrate we're throwing it back to our first festival with @karim_kamar 🥹 🎶
Before the big stages, before the headlines, this is where it starts, and has started at Sofar's all over the world. Artists finding their sound in front of the people who'll never forget being there first.
The magic of independent festivals, and it's happening again this October 🌟
#FirstFestivalWeek
Ahead of the summer 2026 season and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) is launching a collective campaign to celebrate the ‘First Festivals’ of the UK’s artists, fans and festival-goers.
#firstfestivalweek2026 #Events #EventProfs
🗓️ It’s nearly time! The first ever First Festival Week 2026 is happening Friday 15th May – Thursday 21st May.
Celebrate the UK’s vibrant music festival scene and your festivals - as the birthplace of superstars and the heartbeat of the music industry.
✨ FESTIVALS - How To Join In ✨
📸 Raid the Archives: Find those gems! Rediscover the artists who played your stages early in their careers.
💚 Ask Your Audience: There are thousands of photos and videos of your festival, and the artists you’ve hosted over the years, that you’ve never seen! Now is the time to ask your community to share them with you and to help them remember why they love independent music festivals and your show.
Then let's make some noise and share as much as we can throughout First Festival Week! Let’s celebrate the festivals that start it all, together 🙌
#firstfestivalweek2026 #welovefestivals
🏕️ Campaign link in bio. Discover independent music festivals across the UK and find your next adventure!
The odds are stacked against independent festivals. 👀
👉 Tech platforms favour placements based on the the biggest spend which often means the corporate festivals get served the best slots.
❌ The independents are scrapping it out. It’s a zero sum game.
📰 ‘Festival discovery’ often means bland, ‘best 10, 11, 20 (if you’re lucky) festivals you can go to this summer’ articles which are anything but a list of the ‘best’ festivals and instead a list of Live Nation’s events, with a handful of the genuiniely interesting shows squeezed in by the writer.
🎪20 festivals. When there’s around 600 music festivals happening each year, the majority of which are small, creative, brilliantly individiual and unique events.
We are being served dross. This is why we’ve built Here.Live - a new independent festival discovery platform.
Head to the link in our bio to find out more!
The UK live music industry is changing how it thinks about sustainability - and there’s some brilliant work happening across our network.
This Earth Day, we’re sharing a few of the projects we think are worth knowing about.
Head to the LIVE Green hub on our website to find out more and get involved.
We’re excited to be part of Here.live, a new UK festival directory that makes it easier to plan your summer of music.
Fans can now:
● Discover independent festivals across the UK
● Follow their favourites
● Plan their summer
● Stay up to date with lineups and announcements
● More coming
It’s simple, independent, and built around the fan experience.
Explore here: www.here.live
Istok is unique because it’s not just a wellness festival — it’s a journey.
Built around the Five Elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Spirit — Istok invites people to move through different zones, experiences, and rituals that support grounding, release, clarity, and connection. It’s a space where families, women, men, practitioners, musicians, and the wider community come together in an alcohol-free environment to share, heal, learn, and celebrate.
What makes Istok truly special is that it’s designed to create community, not just a one-day experience. With sauna, fire gatherings, workshops, live music, and a transformational path that ends with a medal to mark the journey, Istok brings people together in a meaningful way that stays with them long after the festival ends
Join us of the 28-31 May 2026 @grendonlakes
Rhythm Changes x Music Declares Emergency
Chief Executive of @aif_uk , JOHN ROSTRON on calling out the MUSIC ECOSYSTEM.
John is speaking here at our first collaborative panel with @rhythmchanges7 at @thesociallondon . We unpacked the current music industry landscape, and discussed how we can collectively support artists to make ethical decisions for people and planet.
SAVE THE DATE: our next panel event lands on 13th April. Sign up to NOMUSICONADEADPLANET to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
➡️NOMUSICONADEADPLANET.ORG
Video credit: @mo.llyharper
#NOMUSICONADEADPLANET
Running a small festival shouldn’t mean going it alone 🤝
Swipe through to see how the AIF Micro & Very Small Festival Development Programme can support your event this year.
The Essentials:
📍 For UK music & arts festivals under 2,000 capacity
🎙️ Free expertise, networking and resources
⏳ Applications close 16 March
Apply now via the link in our bio! 🔗
Share with your network ❤️
This initiative is proudly funded by the @livetrustcharity
#ukfestivals #livetrust #aif #musicindustry #uklivemusic
