Max SteventonWe Out Here is an independent UK music festival founded by DJ Gilles Peterson. Bringing together live music, DJ performances, talks, and wellness activities over four days each August, it has steadily grown since its first edition in 2019, moving from its original site in Abbotts Ripton to its current home in Dorset.
This year’s sold-out festival, which took place from 14–17 August, shows how a festival is a whole experience – from raving, relaxing and eating. The people responsible for making these spaces possible are the production team. For We Out Here, that is We Organise Chaos.
We Organise Chaos director Clare Goodchild reflects on the company’s long-standing partnership with We Out Here, detailing how the team delivers site and operations management, sustainability initiatives, and new creative features – from family-friendly spaces and wellbeing areas, and new for 2025, a sit-down dining experience.
Partnership built over years
We Organise Chaos is one of the central organisations behind the festival’s delivery. The production company’s involvement with We Out Here began in 2020, when the festival was still based in Abbotts Ripton.
Goodchild said, “We started working with We Out Here in 2020 when it was back at the original site in Abbotts Ripton, but as a company we have worked with directors Joe and Noah since 2013 so we have a long history of delivering various shows together.”
Initially, We Organise Chaos provided site management. Over the years, its role has expanded significantly: “We now look after site management, operations management and I work as the festival director the full year around. It has been a great opportunity for us to grow alongside the show, and to bring more of our team into roles at a show that they really love,” said Goodchild.
Yoga at The Sanctuary
Producing a distinctive environment
“We Out Here is a community,” explained Goodchild. “Whether it is behind the scenes, or front of house, there is a palpably strong sense of being part of something amazing where people share values and a vision. It’s one of the only shows I work on where you can feel that across the whole site.”
Technical delivery is led by a small but experienced team. “As festival director, I oversee all elements of the show including technical. Kyle from Soundfangled leads on the technical delivery, and Chloe from Our Motive has done our artist liaison for many years. The combination of these two amazing teams means we deliver to a high level.”
“We Out Here is a community”
We Out Here stands out for the extra features it offers. The family area was especially popular over the weekend, emphasising the festival’s focus on being family friendly.
Emma, a mum of two boys aged seven and five, said the family area provided a safe spot for her children: “This is my second We Out Here and we have brought the boys both times. It is really safe and there are loads of places for the kids to play and get away from the busy areas.”
It is not just festivalgoers who are drawn to the varying production elements the festival offers, the artists are also big advocates. Goodchild elaborates: “We see a high proportion of artists remain on site for the full weekend because they love the show and the community we have built. People like Mr Scruff have been massive advocates, and seeing our artists with their families out enjoying the show makes it worthwhile.”
The Talks tent also provided an alternative to the music and highlighted the production prowess of We Organise Chaos. With a jam-packed schedule throughout, festivalgoers had the opportunity to sit down and learn about culture, music, the grassroots and more. We Out Here said the tent is “a home for thought-provoking dialogue that moves you, challenges you, and stays with you.”
A family-friendly festival
New developments in 2025
The 2025 edition introduced a range of fresh elements. Among them was a sit-down dining experience.
Goodchild explained: “We have launched a sit-down restaurant option this year, so we are bringing in the beautiful mini-orangery from Bohemia Canvas to house it. It is great to have the opportunity to have a unique structure like this on site.”
Throughout the weekend, the new dining area was full and offered a wide range of food catering to all dietary requirements.
Creative direction also took a step forward according to Goodchild. “We worked with Fables to deliver our creative this year. Previously, they designed and built our Bowl and Grove stages, which raised the delivery and aesthetic of those areas to another level. With our shared values and approach to creative builds, it was exciting to see the site in its full glory this year.”
Sustainability in practice
Environmental responsibility continued to shape site planning. Goodchild said, “We Out Here is a value-driven festival. Social and environmental sustainability is woven into how we deliver the show.
“One of the most interesting projects we work on in this area is with the International Dark Skies Reserve, who have given us 5 stars for our protection of the skies from light pollution. We have worked really closely with their team to look at how much light we emit into the night sky, and how we can reduce our impact. We even have 11km of festoon lighting topped with football training cones to direct the light downwards.”
Sustainability isn’t always about carbon footprint and pollution, however. It can also mean wellbeing for attendees. The Sanctuary, sitting amongst tall trees and adjacent to a lake, provided the ideal spot to relax away from the busy stages and music.
In The Sanctuary were free therapy sessions, masseuses, yoga and a general relaxed environment. We Out Here says it is “a consciously-curated space designed to help you replenish and restore.” Again, showing how the festival goes far beyond music.
“Social and environmental sustainability is woven into how we deliver the show.”
Collaborative leadership
Gilles Peterson remained closely involved in shaping the 2025 festival. “Gilles is amazing. He has a great vision and obviously lots of ideas on the programming side! Over the years it has been a pleasure working with him and helping to make his ideas come to life,” said Goodchild.
We Organise Chaos also continued its close partnership with Project 30, whose operations manager Craig Mathie oversaw campsites and other operational areas. “Craig is our Operations Manager, and he brings in a team to look after campsites and some other operational roles. We always work really closely with Craig – we are two agencies that support each other on multiple shows and are also good friends. Craig is an integral part of the show and definitely my number one sounding board.”
After his DJ set on Sunday night, Peterson said: “I want to say thank you to everyone who’s come this weekend. Honestly, last night with Rotary Connection and bringing over Shirly Wahls was unbelievable. For me, it was a career highlight. When I was there listening to 10,000 people singing the words to Les Fleurs in a field in Dorset, in England, I couldn’t believe it. Thank you so much because that’s what it’s all about. The way we can mix the heritage and forward-thinking music, the UK DJ culture; there’s nothing like it anywhere in the world.”
The collaboration between Peterson, the organisers, and production teams We Organise Chaos and Project 30 ensured the festival not only matched their shared creative vision but was also delivered efficiently, sustainably and on time.
“For me, it was a career highlight.”
Looking ahead
Now the dust has settled in the scenic fields of Dorset, attention has already turned to next year’s festival. “Plans have been confirmed for We Out Here 2026, which will take place on 20–23 August,” said the organisers.
With We Organise Chaos confirmed as the main production team behind We Out Here, its creative vision, combined with Gilles Peterson’s pioneering approach to music and events, suggests 2026 could bring fresh production elements and further innovation.
With tickets set to go on sale soon, all stakeholders will be hoping for a sixth consecutive sell-out.