Festivals

Skiddle & AIF Announce Winners of Industry-First Festival Support Scheme

By Dale Grogan
13 Nov 2025
6 min read

At Skiddle, supporting independent promoters has always been at the heart of what we do. That’s why we joined forces with the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) to launch a first-of-its-kind initiative – one that’s now helping 22 incredible festivals access the tools, resources, and visibility they need to thrive.

The AIF x Skiddle festival membership scheme was created to strengthen the UK’s independent festival scene, giving grassroots organisers a helping hand in an increasingly challenging landscape. We’re proud to say that 22 festivals have now been selected to receive a free one-year AIF membership and a bespoke marketing support package from Skiddle, tailored to help them grow and reach new audiences.

How Skiddle Is Investing in the Future of Independent Festivals

As one of the UK’s leading event discovery and ticketing platforms, we see first-hand the creativity and determination that go into running independent festivals. We understand the pressures organisers are facing – from rising costs to shifting audience behaviours – and we believe in using our platform and expertise to make a difference.

Through this scheme, each of the 22 winning festivals will receive:

A featured listing in Skiddle’s Festival Guide, reaching millions of monthly visitors
Editorial and promotional support from our content and marketing teams
Paid media campaigns and expert account management from Skiddle’s festival specialists
A free online event management course and a 30-minute brand consultation
A free Songkick mailer to boost awareness of their future events

“We’ve always been passionate about supporting independent promoters and festivals,” said Duncan King, Head of Festivals & Partnerships at Skiddle.

“This partnership with AIF is about investing directly in the grassroots events that make our live scene so special, and giving them the resources to build sustainable success.”

Meet the Winners

The heartbeat of the UK’s independent scene lies in the creativity and resilience of the festivals that bring people together every year, and the winners of this year’s scheme are a perfect reflection of that spirit.

From Birmingham’s Caribbean Rocks to Chelmsford’s Street Eats ’n’ Beats, South London’s Priory Live, and Cheshire’s The Brit Fest, each festival tells its own story of community, culture, and commitment to live music. Together, they represent the vibrant diversity of the UK’s independent landscape, spanning genres, regions, and audiences, but all united by one shared goal: to deliver unforgettable experiences.

“Being selected to receive a membership to the AIF and support from Skiddle means a great deal to us,” said Anthony Prophet, Commercial Director at The Brit Fest.

“It’s a genuine boost for our team and a recognition of the work that’s gone into building The Brit Fest from the ground up.

“Initiatives like this are incredibly important. The partnership between Skiddle and AIF provides real, tangible support to independent festivals at a time when the sector needs it most. It gives voice, visibility, and opportunity to teams working hard behind the scenes, and we’d absolutely encourage others to get involved in future schemes.”

Other festivals chosen to receive support include:

FC2025 (1) — Image: AIF's annual Festival Congress event

A Partnership with Purpose

Since 2008, the AIF has been the voice of the UK’s independent festivals, leading essential initiatives like Safer Spaces at Festivals and providing training, advocacy, and support for organisers nationwide.

Through our partnership, we’re helping expand that support network, welcoming 22 new members into a thriving community built to uplift and protect the independent sector.

As AIF CEO John Rostron put it:

“We’re incredibly grateful to Skiddle for recognising the value that AIF brings to independent festivals all year round, and for opening up this new opportunity for so many to join our growing network.”

If you’re an independent organiser looking to grow your event, discover how the Skiddle Promotion Centre can help you sell more tickets, reach new audiences, and build lasting success.

Sign Up Here

Got a question you need an answer to?

Give us a call on 03333010301 or ask us a question over on the Skiddle Promoter Twitter account by clicking or tapping on the button below. Alternatively, you can also find a list of our most frequently asked questions over at https://help.promotioncentre.co.uk

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