Access All AreasToward the end of what proved to be a very challenging year for many festival organisers, promoter Hospitality returned to Beckenham Place Park on 17 August to stage its flagship festival Hospitality in the Woods.
A drum and bass event that has won a loyal following since it was launched in 2019, Hospitality In The Woods is overseen by the events division of drum and bass record label Hospitality Records. This year’s event saw 15,000 fans enjoy a lineup of acts including Pendulum, LTJ Bukem and High Contrast, performing across the event’s five stages.
We caught up with Access All Areas 30under30 alumni Maya De N’Yeurt (pictured), marketing and events manager at Hospitality, to get her perspective on the festival’s continued success, and how the many challenges are reshaping the festival industry. With Hospitality Records having just opened to applications for its 2025 Mentorship Scheme, which supports newcomers across drum & bass production and business development, we also hear her views on whether the industry is doing enough to welcome and nurture new talent.
It has been a challenging summer for the festival sector, but what positives have you seen and how do you see the industry developing?
It’s been a challenging summer for a lot of festivals, including ours at Hospitality. There are a lot more factors that influence people’s decision to buy tickets to events, the cost-of-living crisis being the largest. People are more selective about the shows they go to but a positive of this is that promoters are much more innovative with the events they put on and the lineups they curate. This has created a greater sense of community and togetherness within the music scene, which is at the end of the day what it’s all about.
What are the biggest trends you’ve noticed this year?
I would say a bigger interest in the breadth of lineups, rather than focusing on headliners. In analysis of our events, especially our festivals, we have found punters make their choice about their events dependent on the variation of the lineup, most notably the subgenres and different artists.
What more can be done to support the sector, particularly the smaller independent events?
Support for the sector doesn’t always have to be financial. Raising awareness about independent events is equally important. Sharing these events on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, tagging mates, and sending them to others can help. Everyone has a network, and sharing events might reach potential ticket buyers who weren’t aware of them before.
Do you think there is enough support out there for young people in the industry, and what more can we do to attract the next generation?
There has definitely been an increase in support for young people in the industry, but more can be done. Creating mentorship programs that allow young people to learn from those who have had success in the industry is a great idea. For instance, NOWIE has a mentorship program that pairs women in the early-to-mid stages of their careers with industry expert mentors, which is amazing. Additionally, increasing accessibility to internships and entry-level roles would be ideal, as there aren’t many opportunities available. Although I haven’t been in the industry for very long, my inbox is always open to those wanting to break into the field, and I try to provide as much valuable information as I can, as I’m sure many others in the industry do as well.
What have you gained from AAA’s 30under30 initiative so far?
It’s been great to connect with others in the industry at a similar stage in their career as mine, which is super inspiring and motivating. There’s lots of networking opportunities which are really helpful for collaboration opportunities and to develop skills. It’s been a great opportunity I am grateful for.