Supporting Grassroots Festivals: Our Commitment at Brixton Brewery to Help Independent Events Survive and Thrive

Author: Daniel Peplow, Community and Events Lead at Brixton Brewery

For the past two years, we’ve been running a fund to support smaller, weekend-long independent festivals across the UK. So far, we've helped events like Above Below, Twisted, Floorless, Three Wheel Drive, Dusty Flyers Club, and more.

The Struggles Facing Independent Festivals Post-Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted small, independent, and grassroots festivals. As the world adjusts to a post-pandemic reality, these festivals are battling rising costs in an increasingly competitive market, making it harder to stay afloat.
 

Many festivals have resorted to crowdfunding or direct community appeals, encouraging early ticket sales, to reduce uncertainty and mitigate financial woes. While these efforts provide some relief, they’re often a last resort for organisers. Despite such measures, over 60 UK festivals have already been forced to cancel this year alone.
 

To maintain transparency and build trust, festivals like Waking Life in Portugal have published their full financial reports, while UK’s Field Maneuvers has crowdsourced to stay afloat. These actions highlight the immense pressure on organisers as they navigate challenging landscapes.

The Importance of Supporting Emerging Talent and Communities

For small festivals, the early years are vital for long-term success. These formative stages not only support emerging talent but also foster a sense of community that keeps attendees returning and drives the growth of local music scenes. Smaller events play a key role in promoting new artists, serving as creative platforms, and contributing to the UK’s cultural exports.
 

The resilience of small festivals is essential to preserving the cultural fabric of this country. With the right support, they can continue creating unique experiences for their dedicated audiences. It’s incredibly rewarding to be in a position where we can provide the help these festivals need.
 

Since the government hasn’t introduced discounted VAT rates on ticket sales to provide relief, we’re stepping in—brewery style! Keeping bar revenue flowing is crucial for these festivals’ survival, and we’re here to support that effort.

Our Role at Brixton Brewery

Beer and festivals go hand in hand (surprise, surprise), and as a brewery looking to support festival circuits, we’re eager to help. For many festivals, the bar is the second most important revenue stream after ticket sales.
 

We see a chance for a mutually beneficial partnership. Smaller festivals, especially those with fewer than 2,000 attendees, have deeply engaged communities that value the experience and seek positive associations. Instead of focusing on traditional on-site branding, our fund allows festivals to tell us what would benefit them the most. This way, we can align our resources with both their needs and our shared values.

In a recent DJ Mag interview, I shared my thoughts: “It’s about prioritising the price of beer and having open, honest conversations with organisers about what works for them. Can we assist with technical services, or help set up draught lines? Is there something they’d like to focus on, like sustainability or workshops? Maybe discounted community tickets for lower-income attendees? We aim to support them in ways they might not have been able to manage alone, especially with rising costs and limited resources.”
 

Grassroots festivals are the heart of the industry. By offering our support, we’re not only helping secure their future but also enhancing the special experiences they provide. Our goal is to supply a high-quality product at an affordable rate, adding real value to both the bar and the attendee experience.

If you think this could benefit your festival and you meet the criteria mentioned above, reach out to us at info@brixtonbrewery.com. Every festival’s needs are unique, and we’re here to help.

Appraisals:

Liam Biggadike, Co-Founder, Above Below - Brixton Brewery has been at the Above Below Festival for the last three years, with attendees first surprised about this product on the menu at such an intimate event. As friends and a business, we’re passionate about delivering a high-quality bar experience, we want to offer a premium product at a fairer price seen at most festivals in and around the UK, and we’ve been able to do that. Brixton Brewery have been amazing to work with, and want to keep this relationship going.

Cameron Joon, Co-Founder, Floorless - We're deeply grateful for the funding from Brixton Brewery over the past two years. It has enabled us to make our space more accessible to low-income groups, host Female and Non-binary DJ workshops, and feature emerging artists. Without this support, Floorless couldn't exist as the uncompromising, DIY music and arts festival it is today.

Will Jones, Bar Operations, The Three Wheeled Drive - Dan introducing us to the Independent Festival Fund at Brixton Brewery gave us vital support this year, relieving some financial pressures for 3WD, allowed us to develop design goals, and continue for another year. With the subsidy, we sold Brixton Brewery beers and renovated our bar to take it to a new level from previous years. We're thankful for Dan and Brixton's support and look forward to future collaborations.