Max SteventonThe Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has launched First Festival Week 2026, a nationwide campaign celebrating the role of the UK’s independent festivals in supporting emerging artists.
Running from 15–21 May, the campaign will involve more than 200 festivals across the UK and will coincide with the start of the summer festival season ahead of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend. BBC Music will support coverage of the initiative across television, radio, social media and online platforms.
AIF CEO John Rostron said, “So many artists dream of headlining festivals, but the route to becoming a festival headliner often comes from years of playing across outdoor stages, in and out of tents and through multi-venue festivals. Those first festival performances are so special for artists and audiences alike.”
AIF said the campaign will encourage festivals to revisit archive footage and photographs documenting early appearances by artists who later became established acts. Participating festivals are also asking audiences to share memories and images from their first festival experiences.
Among the many festivals taking part are 110 Above Festival, which hosted performances by Olivia Dean and Lola Young early in their careers, and Deer Shed Festival which saw CMAT play an early show before returning to headline the event in 2024.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival event producer Dougie Brown said, “What’s amazing is seeing artists that have developed through the ranks over the years come back to play our festival later on in their career when they are household names. Twin Atlantic first played in 2008 on our Seedling Stage for new acts. There was a little bit of a buzz about them, but it was very early days.”
The campaign follows the launch of here.live, a digital platform developed by AIF to showcase independent music festivals across the UK and help audiences discover artists and events.