Shine On Festivals

06/06/2026

This is the kind of news that we love to see! But as someone who is in the thick of the Independent Festival scene - do you agree?

TagMix CCO Steve Jenner provides his perspective on what he describes as an ‘algorithmic window’ through which nimble independent festivals are outpacing group-owned peers. The news that 150 of the largest European festivals are now owned by just four groups, Live Nation, AEG, CTS Eventim and Su...

04/06/2026

Have you considered adding a sober bar to your festival?
The amount of non drinkers amongst younger adults - 18 to 25years old is much lower than in recent years. It might be worth adding interesting mocktails, non alcoholic beers and other alternatives to appeal to them!

Sober events are all about "the music, the connection, the people rather than drinking".

02/06/2026

Another step forward to the potential break up of Live Nation! Will this make a big difference to your festival?

The UK Business and Trade Select Committee has published its report on competition and market functioning in the live music industry. It recommends That the CMA launch a market investigation into the UK live music industry by the end of 2026. The investigation should: Look at the market as a whole,....

31/05/2026

📸 Small festivals often rely on live moments and community energy - your social feed is a goldmine.

💡 A simple tip today Make sure you’re posting before, during and after the festival: countdowns, behind the cenes setup, happy camper faces, post-event highlight reels.

Shine On Digital can help you build a social calendar, templates & voice that reflect your festival vibe, so the story sticks long after the weekend.

29/05/2026

Have you been struggling to find suppliers? Access All Areas have a fantastic Supplier Directory which may help!

Do you want to be listed in The Access Files? Fill in the form below with your details, and an AAA team member will contact you soon!         

27/05/2026

Are you signed up to the AIF Newsletter? This one has a particularly interesting section about Live Nation's monopoly and the ongoing efforts in the UK to have this recognised.

This week, these questions show up in very different ways: in the scrutiny of monopoly power, in bold new models of ownership, and in practical steps towards a more sustainable future.

25/05/2026

More initiatives like the LiveLine Fund are springing up to combat the issues surrounding the live music industry. Do you think that these could help you?

Aimed at supporting the independent music scene, the Liveline Fund is primarily focused on strengthening the future viability of the UK grassroots music ecosystem. Alongside curated investments into infrastructure, events and touring, UK grassroots music venues, artists and independent promoters wil

23/05/2026

The LIVE Music Trust has announced more funding and the initiatives that they are supporting. It may be worth applying!

LIVE Trust has received strong backing from the sector since its launch, with over 5 million in pledges secured as of April 2026. We're gearing up to distribute more funding, thanks to working with 10 promoters on over 75 tours and events through 2026. This includes Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Take T...

21/05/2026

Insightful podcast about the logistics of Altitude festival that you may find helpful - or at least entertaining!

The latest episode of the Access All Areas Backstage podcast series finds Marcus Brigstoke and Brett Vincent discussing the many highs, and occasional lows, involved in staging the AAA Award-winning Altitude Comedy Festival. A stunning mix of beautiful mountain scenery with crazy downhill and brilli...

19/05/2026

Very interesting news about Live Nation's huge Q1 losses!

Live Nation Entertainment has reported an operating loss of $371 million in Q1, impacted by a $450m ‘legal accrual’. The concert giant posted revenues of $3.79 billion during the quarter, 12% up on the same period last year and close to its Q1 record set in 2024. Despite the huge revenue result,...