Deva Fest launches 'Save Our Summer' campaign in response to UK festival cancellations

Deva Fest is stepping up to save the summer for festival-goers across the UK with the launch of its ‘Save Our Summer’ campaign.

In response to a wave of festival cancellations sweeping the nation, Deva Fest is offering a lifeline to music fans affected by these disruptions.

According to the latest figures from the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), 50 festivals have already been cancelled in 2024, with predictions indicating that 100 events will be cancelled or not return by the end of the year.

This trend is leaving thousands of guests out of pocket and facing last-minute changes to their summer plans.

Recent cancellations include Northwich’s Geronimo Festival and Wrexham’s Another World Festival, both of which were called off just weeks before their scheduled dates. The cancellations are the latest in a string of cancelled large events this year, with rising costs and huge uncertainty facing the industry.

Phil Marston, owner of Deva Fest, is determined to keep the festival spirit alive.

Deva Fest, an independent music festival set to take place from 8 – 11 August at Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire, is forging ahead despite facing its own challenges with rising costs and supplier issues.

Thanks to strong relationships with vendors and a loyal guest base built over the past five years, Deva Fest is confident in its ability to deliver a memorable event for 2024.

In an effort to support festival-goers and the broader events community, the ‘Save Our Summer’ campaign will offer a 20% discount on Deva Fest tickets to anyone holding proof of purchase from a cancelled festival.

This initiative aims to encourage attendance at large events and support independently run festivals. Deva Fest, which contributes around £2 million to Cheshire’s economy through tourism, travel, and spending with independent vendors, is a highlight in the region’s calendar and is determined to give guests a weekend to remember.

The wave of cancellations is not limited to small events. Well-known festivals such as El Dorado, Neighbourhood Weekender, and Standon Calling have also announced cancellations for 2024.

The AIF is currently backing the ‘5% For Festivals’ campaign, which calls on the UK government to reduce the VAT rate on event tickets from 20% to 5%. This measure, temporarily paused during the election, aims to provide financial relief to event organisers, enabling them to rebuild and continue hosting events.

Phil Marston, owner of Deva Fest, said:

“Festivals are a cornerstone of UK culture, shaping the summer for countless people.

“We are at risk of losing the vibrant diversity of our festival landscape, leaving only large, internationally-backed events able to survive.

“Through the ‘Save Our Summer’ campaign, we hope to keep the festival experience accessible and support the many independent festivals that contribute so much to our communities.

“We hope guests will continue to get behind independent events and show their support where they can.”