From field to festival: Shindig, Farmfest and Valley Fest tell us how it’s done

As festival season is about to start in earnest, there are fields up and down the South West being transformed into party playgrounds for the thousands who will soon be revelling in them. But what exactly is involved in the transition from green and pleasant land to escapist haven?

Bristol24/7 contacted three local festival directors to find out how their sites are progressing, and the different challenges that have been in store after what has been – for much of the sector – a trying couple of years of trying to stay afloat during the pandemic. Here, in their own words, are the results.

Will Lardner: Shindig Festival – May 26-29

“I am the promoter of Shindig Festival, so I book all the artists and entertainment on the main stages and oversee everything to do with music that happens on site.

Our build crew get onto site about three weeks before and start marking out where everything goes. We’ve got an incredible production and site crew team at the helm that manage all the suppliers, trades and infrastructure that comes onto site in the build up to the main event.

It’s amazing what goes up in such a short amount of time, and it’s always incredible to see how quickly it gets packed down again afterwards. The whole process is about five weeks on site.

Will Lardner – photo: Shindig Festival

In terms of the infrastructure required to support all the crew, we’re essentially building a mini pop up town so we need to think about everything from water, to power, to waste, and everything in between. The production and site management crew supervise everything and everyone – everything is GPS tagged down to the meter carried out within health and safety guidelines, as well as our licence conditions.

We also have an amazing team of crew that lay trackway, plumb the whole site, build stages, rig lighting and wire for sound. On the décor side, we have a crack team of decor crew that come in and dress the whole site in a matter of days – reeling out miles of bunting, dressing the venues and creating the overall look of the site that gives it the identity.

Overall, we have around 1,000 people from security to waste management that are fed and watered on a daily basis by our wonderful crew catering team. It really is a military operation from start to finish and we couldn’t do it without every single one of them.

The build starts – photo: Shindig Festival

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Read more: Shindig Festival releases full lineup for 2022

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Considering we’ve not been able to do a festival since 2019 and this is the first year on an entirely new site (that has never had an event of this scale before), I don’t want to jinx anything but I think we’re on track.

Everything is coming along nicely and we’ve been pretty lucky with the weather so far. This is testament to the months of planning that is done during the winter months by the team behind the scenes.

Painter on site – photo: Shindig Festival

But there have been challenges. The rising cost of actually producing an event has been pretty shocking – in this year alone we’ve seen prices for infrastructure rise by around 30 per cent. It has meant that we’re trying to operate our events with a drastically increased operational cost.

We sold most of the tickets in 2020 and rolled them over to 2022, so we’re producing an event on 2022 costs with a 2020 projected income. So naturally there is a lot going on behind the scenes to make sure we deliver our normal high standard while also closely monitoring budgets to ensure we still have a viable business after the event.

We open the gates on Thursday May 26 and the lead-up week is always full of feelings: from excitement and nervousness to anticipation and adrenaline. The added extra unknown for this year is that we’ve never used this site before, so we really hope that Shindiggers love it as much as the old site.

Shindig at sunset – photo: Lee Niel

But aside from unveiling the new site and seeing all of our festival friends again after such a long time, there is SO much music that we can’t wait to see this year – loads of newcomers, award winners, and festival favourites. Some to definitely check out are Grammy and MOBO nominees Blue Lab Beats, electronic afro-funk band Ibibio Sound Machine, and dance floor filler DJ/Producer Lau.ra.

I’m also really excited to see people spending time together, outdoors, drinking, dancing and generally, for us, business as normal again. It will feel good to be back. We have a good few years to catch up on!”

Shindig Festival is at Dillington Estate, Somerset, on May 26-29. For more information, the full line up and tickets, visit www.shindigfestival.co.uk.

Tim Manville: Farmfest – July 29-30

“I am the Event Director for Farmfest. I oversee every moving part of the event, from décor and design to supplier selection and management. I have an amazing team around me without whom I would be lost and Farmfest would not exist. I simply manage their incredible skills.

We are lucky enough to farm the land year round so our build and break can be quite flexible. We aim to get the main structures up three weeks prior to the event but the majority of kit doesn’t arrive until around seven days prior to opening.

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As the build takes shape, we have a diverse team of skilled crew on site including riggers, carpenters, welders, telehandler drivers, artists and volunteers. Our farm shop kitchen keeps them all sustained throughout their working days and there is always a lot of tea drunk!

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Read more: Farmfest releases 2022 lineup

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Compared with last year I feel we are in fantastic shape with preparations this time around. We are definitely not facing the same uncertainty as we did in 2021 so we can be more organised with our plans.

Festival site – photo: Farmfest

But this year, our challenge has been pricing. With the cost of living going up we are very aware of wanting to remain affordable. We launched a deposit scheme and payment plan option which has been really popular and we are doing all we can to keep prices on site as low as possible.

As we get closer to opening, there is always huge excitement. I love the lead up to an event. Seeing all our ideas jump from the page to the fields is great fun and there is a buzz as more and more crew arrive.

2022 festival lineup – photo: Farmfest

We have a couple of new stages that I can’t wait to see in full swing for 2022. The Nook in particular is going to be amazing!

Farmfest is in Bruton, Somerset, on July 29-30. For more information including the full line up, limited tickets and directions, visit www.farmfestival.co.uk.

Luke Hasell: Valley Fest – August 4-7

“I’m festival founder and director at Valley Fest, where our build is two to three weeks. I like getting on site early and starting stuff before anyone else arrives, but that is just because i can use my “Get on my Land”, mantra to full effect!

The build is all very temporary, with lots of tents and fencing, and it all happens quite quickly really. The crew team are so quick and efficient; it always amazes me how fast they can get things done.

Luke Hasell – photo: Jon Craig

We have been making great progress so far, and because the team behind the scenes are all so good at their job, tickets are flying out.

This year, I am personally so excited to be able to bring in our close friends at Arcadia to make the Valley Fest Family even bigger for 2022. This spectacular addition is going to blow people’s minds.

We’re also the first food and music festival to showcase regenerative farming in a big way. In this new area, inspiring speakers will explain how we can heal a broken system, repair a damaged planet and empower people to eat their way to a better future, through regenerative organic farming.

The second stage build – photo: Valley Fest

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Read more: Valley Fest 2022 releases full music lineup

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In terms of logistical upsets to contend with as we prepare for the festival, I don’t think anything can get worse than last year’s ups and downs, so this event should feel like a breeze in comparison. There has been plenty of time to plan and create the best festival yet, although that in itself is a challenge, with many in-built surprises.

Joining forces with Arcadia, who are creating a whole new playground for adults and kids alike – is a thrill. But it is throwing up its own challenge, as some are worried that Valley Fest won’t be as family friendly as it has been.

We want to reassure them there’s going to be even more for kids of all ages to do, make and create. It’s still very much a small, safe, family friendly festival with amazing food, views and wholesome fun for everyone.

The site takes shape – photo: Valley Fest

To sum it up, I’m just excited beyond belief, to be together again with all my mates, delighted that we’ve pulled it off again. Seeing people eat food that’s been produced in the next door fields is pretty satisfying, too.

But I’m most looking forward to being onstage DJing, and smashing out a set on the Afterburner; that is what dreams are made of.”

Valley Fest 2022 lineup – photo: Valley Fest

ValleyFest is at Chew Valley Lake on 4-7 August. For more information including the full line up, limited tickets and directions, visit www.valleyfest.co.uk.

Main photo: Shindig Festival

Read more: Bristol’s festival highlights of 2022

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