UK festival Boardmasters granted capacity increase
UK festival Boardmasters is set to increase its capacity to 58,000 this year after its licensing application was partially accepted.
The Cornwall Council approved the Newquay-based festival’s capacity rise by 5,000 to 2026 following an extensive hearing with the licensing committee.
“Thank you to Cornwall Council, the residents who took time to provide their valuable feedback and to all of the relevant parties who have supported us on this journey,” says festival founder Andrew Topham.
But the capacity for the music and surf festival will remain at 58,000 — including staff, performers and non-ticket holders — through 2026 after council members voted to curtail further capacity increases.
The Superstruct-backed event’s initial planning application proposed increases up to 66,000 by 2026, which sparked concerns over traffic congestion and public safety.
“I certainly appreciate the economic impact that this event does bring to the county, but I have to look at safety”
“Is there any point in increasing the numbers until we know that these new plans will work?” asked local councillor Joanna Kenny.
The annual event has perennially expanded, hosting 14,000 attendees in 2014, with Topham telling the committee the team has continuously “invested into the safety and infrastructure of the festival”.
“We want to add more and more layers of security, traffic management and anything that enhances the festival operation but to do that ultimately means more capacity,” Topham says.
In 2022, the five-day event, headlined by George Ezra, Disclosure, and Kings Of Leon, brought in £40 million (€46m) into the local economy.
“I support any business that wants to expand as long as it’s done at the right time and in a safe way. I certainly appreciate the economic impact that this event does bring to the county, but from my perspective, I cannot focus on that — I have to look at safety,” says Ann Marie Jameson, council health and safety officer.
The 2024 edition is set for 7-11 August 2024, with Stormzy, Sam Fender, and Chase & Status topping the bill. Courteeners, Overmono, Royel Otis, Kate Nash, Holly Humberstone, Wunderhorse, Hedex, and Ewan McVicar add to this year’s lineup.
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ATC Group and Wild Paths launch new 10,000-cap fest
ATC Group and the team behind Norwich-based multi-venue festival Wild Paths are partnering on a new 10,000-capacity festival in the UK.
Wild Fields will be a greenfield event at Raynham Estate in North Norfolk that will “showcase the best music from across the genre spectrum, pairing it with woodland dining, immersive performance & wellness experiences”.
Ezra Collective, SBTRKT, Los Bitchos and Nightmares on Wax are among the more established names on the bill for the inaugural event, set for 15–18 August 2024.
But festival director Ben Street says the event will take note from Wild Paths in showcasing emerging musical talent, particularly from East Anglia.
In addition, the festival will aim to offer “a truly diverse range of festival performers,” having signed up to Keychange’s 50/50 pledge.
“Wild Fields will be a truly unique event with a varied and progressive musical line-up”
The “socially conscious” camping event will use locally sourced food and drink suppliers, and will have a strong focus on green initiatives and sustainability, working with travel partners, waste management teams, merch providers and power suppliers.
Street will work on the festival with ATC Group chief executive Adam Driscoll, who is also the former co-CEO of MAMA Group and director of Vision Nine.
“Wild Fields will be a truly unique event with a varied and progressive musical line-up paired with renowned wellness practitioners, festival banquets and immersive performance. From dawn to dusk and deep, deep into the night there’ll be a plethora of ground-breaking bands and DJs to keep even the most seasoned festival reveller entertained and inspired,” says Street.
“We’re so happy to have found such a beautiful site as Raynham with its historic walled gardens, secret wooded paths and lush wild meadows. The Raynham team share our vision for delivering a groundbreaking new festival in the region and bringing some world renowned artists, performers and practitioners to this stunning stretch of North Norfolk.”
Wild Fields reportedly has a five-year deal with the site owner and will aim to grow its capacity year-on-year.
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