News / Shindig
Independent festival offered lifeline by Glastonbury ticket provider
It’s a rare good news story in the world of independent festivals: a weekender that announced 2024 would be its last due to the challenging economic climate is returning this summer.
Dubbed a “pint-sized Glastonbury” and recommended by Emily Eavis as a good alternative to those who weren’t able to secure Pilton tickets, Shindig returns for its 11th year.
Fiercely independent and proudly creative, the festival has attracted the attention of SeeTickets which has offered concrete support in an uncertain economic climate in which delayed ticket buying and increased costs combine to create independent festival kryptonite.
is needed now More than ever
“We wanted to support Shindig as a truly independent festival in the South West,” said a SeeTickets spokesperson.
“We love what they’ve created and built over ten years – a festival for families that love to party. It’s a true boutique festival, stylish, intimate yet with plenty to do.
“Since Covid, people buy their tickets later and later which means it’s extremely stressful for festivals to pay for acts and infrastructure months ahead of the show. For an independent festival that can be very difficult from a cash flow perspective.
“This was something we could help with. And supporting a thriving festival scene is important on lots of levels.”
It’s a three-year deal in which the festival still retains its independence including full creative control, an element integral to the Shindig team of directors – an eclectic group based in Bristol and Bath that includes a DJ and record label owner, circus performer, motorcycle-stunt-riding Showman, a festival stalwart and interior designer – joining forces to instil the creativity and positive atmosphere Shindig has become known for.
Shindig has a diverse music lineup but also prides itself on dynamic art installations, a vibrant kid’s area and quality food offers
The festival has created a loyal following who will find it in new home the Charlton Park Estate this year, usually host to WOMAD which takes a breather in 2025. At the smaller capacity of 10,000 – a quarter that of WOMAD – Shindig will populate the site’s arboretum.
“We’re always drawn to the most attractive areas and continually looking for immersive playgrounds. And there’s something particularly magical about partying in the trees!” said co-director Simon Clarke.
Shindig returners will find a revived music programme that nevertheless still has its heart in the DJs and selectors which this year include Gilles Peterson, Gardna x APH, Dub FX, Mr Scruff, Gentlemen’s Dub Club, Artwork, Dan Shake and Luke Una.
Stu Matson, a programmer booking global artists for festivals like Glastonbury, Farmfest, and Bath Carnival, has come on board to diversify the lineup, incorporating more eclectic, dance-oriented genres.
“We’ve got a heightened focus on high-energy live performances this year, making it the perfect time to showcase Afrobeat, Highlife, and jazz-funk to our Shindig faithful,” he said. “We feel we’ve struck the perfect balance – genre-defining acts like Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 and Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy sit alongside some of the most exciting emerging and lesser-known talents, including TC & The Groove Family, Raz & Alfa, and Agbeko.
“As the nights unfold we have Moonchild Sanelly, Toya Delazy, GROVE, and Angry Blackmen. It’s a slightly new direction for us, but given Shindig’s love for hip hop, breaks, and rap, we expect these high-intensity performances to be a huge hit.”
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Shindig presents new stages this year, including Halcyon which will host Born on Road, Altern8 30-Year Anniversary and Finger Lickin’ takeovers.
There will also be circus skills, climbing walls, space hoppers, sandpits and a graffiti wall on offer in the kid’s area, craft workshops, a healing field and a private bar and pamper parlour on offer in the boutique camping area.
The talks programme includes Spiral Tribe co-founder Mark Angelo Harrison, Pete Phoenix and Luke Mitchell, founder of Wake the Tiger and Boomtown Fair.
Giant welded artwork, interactive diversions and fire-breathing sculptures from Mutoid Waste Company and Rockaway Park artists will fill the site, and Shindiggers will be encouraged to wear their heart on their sleeves in keeping with the dress up theme of ‘love is the answer’.
In the somewhat bleak landscape of independent festival, this one is bursting with good vibes.
Shindig takes place May 22-26. Find out more and buy tickets – from £205 – at shindigfestival.co.uk
All images: Boomstudio
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