The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has called for the UK’s Culture Media & Sport Select Committee to begin a ‘State of Play’ inquiry into the future of UK festivals.
A rallying cry was issued at the 2025 Festival Congress in Bristol today, with AIF CEO John Rostron urging the delegation – made up of the country’s independent festival promoters, freelancers and suppliers – to passionately support a new campaign for the inquiry into the sector.
At the end of last year, the UK Culture Media & Sport Select Committee called for submissions to suggest themes or sectors that should be part of a new inquiry, dubbed ‘State of Play’.
AIF is asking for a State of Play inquiry to explore the challenges currently facing independent festivals, whilst recognising the vibrancy, opportunities and successes these events bring to communities across the UK and the economy at local and national levels.
A successful inquiry would lead to recommendations from the Select Committee to the UK Government to champion support for independent festivals.
A total of 96 festivals fell during the pandemic, 36 fell in 2023, 78 fell in 2024 and, already in 2025, five festivals have either cancelled, postponed or called time on their event. Combined, there have been 215 UK festival casualties since the pandemic.
For the past 18 months, AIF has been petitioning the UK Government to temporarily lower VAT on music festival ticket safes from 20% to 5% for three years. Successive governments have, so far, rejected these calls.
AIF evidence shows that this single measure would have saved many of the 215 festivals that have already fallen.
It is hoped that a successful State of Play inquiry into festivals will result in four key outcomes:
- The recognition that festivals are falling at an alarming rate
- That a temporary fiscal intervention from the UK Government will prevent closures and lead to growth.
- Recognition of the cultural and economic value of independent, grassroots festivals and the cultural benefits that they bring to all regions of UK
- The recognition that current policies are failing UK festivals and reform is needed
The campaign for a State of Play inquiry has been backed by NOQ Group, which provides a centralised point of sale system for events, simplifying and streamlining the customer journey, multi-vendor management and revenue generation.
NOQ Group has also pledged £1,000 in support of this campaign for every independent festival that signs up with the company in 2025.
More information about the campaign can be found here.
AIF CEO John Rostron said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
NOQ Group Business Development Manager Alfred Tudor said: “Our festivals are vital to the UK’s cultural landscape, and the State of Play inquiry represents a critical step in securing the support and resources needed for their growth and long-term survival. In addition to backing this important initiative, NOQ Group is committed to equipping festivals with the tools necessary to navigate current challenges, such as sustainable growth, data driven decision making, and maintaining control over their revenues. We believe this approach will empower festivals to thrive in an increasingly complex environment.”
