Chai Wallahs is back! 🪇 They'll be providing nothing but the finest independent sounds around to keep you movin' & groovin' underneath the travelling stretch all weekend long!
Headliners for '26 include TC & The Groove Family, Kongo Dia Ntotlia, Hyphen, The Skinner Brothers, Soothsayers & Omega Nebula!
From Drum & Bass to Jazz, Punk to Afro-Beat, step under the canvas and you're sure to discover something incredible! 🎉
Woweeeeeee
I have SO much to be greatful for right now, and it feels like all that hard graft is paying off in so many ways.
So greatful to Si from @chaiwallahs for seeing something in my music and getting me a spot at @kendalcalling !! Absolute hero.
Chai wallahs represents so much to me and fellow musicians as one of the heart beats of the festival scene. Where Ive seen countless incredible performances from my favourite bands and acts.
It means the world to be given such an incredible opportunity to share my music on one of my favourite stages
Big ups to my main bros @mcxandermusic@felinesounds@beat_cleaver and @djhiphoppapotamus for all your support always xxx
Absolutely stoked x
#chaiwallahs #kendalcalling #femaleproducer #musicartist #festival
We want to acknowledge this properly.
We're genuinely sorry that we've had to make the difficult decision to reschedule the first ever Where It All Began festival until 2027.
The reasons are many and varied, but here's the short version:
🔸 Delays to our Funding grants, costing us vital development time.
🔸 Huge issues with our first ticketing platform, resulting in a 7-week delay in the affiliate marketing and promotional strategy.
🔸 Delays in branding creation – resulting in uncertainty as to the legitimacy of the event.
🔸 Poor sales through March and April – this was felt across the entire sector.
🔸 305 Ticket deposits from Original Founders that didn’t convert to payment plans or full priced tickets which exposed us to a £45,000 deficit.
🔸 10 to 15% rise in infrastructure and transportation costs since the invasion of the middle east – this has resulted in an extra £30,000 in production costs in the last two weeks alone and would be expected to rise.
Had we pushed forward we faced a potential loss of £60,000–£80,000. WIAB would've died before it even started - and Chai Wallahs would've gone with it.
If you're an Original Founder or early ticket buyer - check your emails. We'd love for you to roll your tickets over.
Where It All Began was never meant to be a one hit wonder. It’s building something better for Grassroots industry.
We’re fully dedicated to Where It All Began in 2027, same date, same place. We hope to see you there ❤️
We want to acknowledge this properly.
We're genuinely sorry that we've had to make the difficult decision to re-schedule the first ever Where It All Began festival until 2027.
Not cancelled, not abandoned, just a pause.
Swipe for the full picture. Every reason, every number, no spin.
Over the coming months we'll be digging into each aspect of this decision in detail, because this conversation needs to be had.
💥 Phase 2 lineup is here 💥
Frothing with independence, grassroots energy and genuinely incredible talent.
No ticket yet? What are you waiting for. Link in bio.
Next wknd, 11th April its going down! ❤️🔥 Accompanied by my @hipposoundsystem crew for the ulitmate live jungle / global fusion! 😋
At @thejamjar_bristol ... 🥳 See you there! 🫶
We genuinely thought this would be simple. But the standard was just too good that we couldn't pick 1 or even 2. We've got 6 incredible winners even with a few more to come...
🏆 YOUR WINNERS ARE:
@charity_shop_soundclash@f.a.v.i.l.l.a@olliecooks_dj@leo.nxt.music@infrared_ofc@lpl.dj
Go give them some ❤️
Everyone you're seeing here is now playing a paid set at Where It All Began. Not "this will be a really experience for you" or "it'll be great exposure". Actual money, experience and exposure, how it should be.
This whole competition has really reinforced why we're doing what we're doing. Thank you to every single one of you that took part 👊
🎧 DJ COMP ENTRIES CLOSED
We’ve seen the feedback around the 90-second mixes - and it’s valid!
The aim wasn’t to limit DJs. It was to lower the barrier to entry and open this up to more people, while making it a challenge.
Now we move to the next stage.
We’re reviewing all entries, selecting a shortlist, and if you're on it you'll hear from us shortly!
Entries are being listened to by people who genuinely understand the culture and craft —
including @madame_electrifie , @djhiphoppapotamus , @the_beat_goes_on_events , and our own Si Chai.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter, we really appreciate it!
COMPETITION ENDS 29.3.26
WANT TO ENTER?
🎧 Post a 90 second mix or edit, a mix of genres, some different blends and drops - get creative with it! We want to see what you can do in that 90 seconds. We know it's not easy, but we wanted to make a challenge!
📲 Tag @whereitallbeganfestival
🏷 Use #WIABDJ26
