The Association of Independent Festival’s (AIF) Festival Congress has partnered with BBC Wales Horizons. New speakers have also been announced for the two-day conference on 17-18 October in Cardiff.
 
The BBC Wales and Arts Council of Wales scheme looks to develop and support new, independent music in Wales. Horizons artists Casi, Gabrielle Murphy, Kizzy Crawford and Baby Queens, who will all showcase at the AIF Festival Congress.

Day one of the Congress will involve the first official AGM of the AIF, with speakers confirmed including Alison Wenham (AIM), Rob da Bank (Bestival/6 Music), Welsh government minister for Economy, Science and Transport Edwina Hart, and Jude Kelly (artistic director, Southbank Centre).

Day two includes a panel on curating a festival, hosted by Bethan Elfyn (BBC Radio Wales), plus a number of sessions on topics ranging from festival management to immersive non-musical elements of festivals. 

In addition, an audience-focused panel will hear from festivalgoers, asking what they love and hate about the festival experience. Speakers that day include Martin Elbourne (Glastonbury), Ivan Millivojev (Exit Festival), and Pip Rush and Bertie Cole (Arcadia Spectacular).

An international festival spotlight session, supported by the British Council, has also been organised with the organisers of Hong Kong’s Clockenflap, Breakfest in Colombia and Bushfire Festival in Swaziland confirmed to speak.

“As the hour rapidly approaches, all at AIF are absolutely buzzing about the Congress,” said AIF co-founder Rob da Bank. “These latest announcements show that we’re bringing the cream of the independent festival world together in Cardiff. The stage is set for an excellent conference and we’ll be celebrating a big season that has seen more sold-out AIF festivals than ever before, with an almighty party! Tickets are flying out now. We’ll see you in Wales!” 

The AIF Festival Congress will also host the Festival Congress Celebration, which will include awards, speeches and band performances. BBC Radio 1 presenter Huw Stephens will DJ at the after party, along with Rob da Bank, Chris Tofu (Continental Drifts) and Madame Electrifie.

The Festival Congress is presented by AIF and supported by the Major Events Unit of the Welsh Government and the British Council.

The AIF has previously covered a wide range of issues including the dangers of ‘legal highs’ at festivals.
 
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The Association of Independent Festival’s (AIF) Festival Congress has partnered with BBC Wales Horizons. New speakers have also been announced for the two-day conference on 17-18 October in Cardiff.
 
The BBC Wales and Arts Council of Wales scheme looks to develop and support new, independent music in Wales. Horizons artists Casi, Gabrielle Murphy, Kizzy Crawford and Baby Queens, who will all showcase at the AIF Festival Congress.

Day one of the Congress will involve the first official AGM of the AIF, with speakers confirmed including Alison Wenham (AIM), Rob da Bank (Bestival/6 Music), Welsh government minister for Economy, Science and Transport Edwina Hart, and Jude Kelly (artistic director, Southbank Centre).

Day two includes a panel on curating a festival, hosted by Bethan Elfyn (BBC Radio Wales), plus a number of sessions on topics ranging from festival management to immersive non-musical elements of festivals. 

In addition, an audience-focused panel will hear from festivalgoers, asking what they love and hate about the festival experience. Speakers that day include Martin Elbourne (Glastonbury), Ivan Millivojev (Exit Festival), and Pip Rush and Bertie Cole (Arcadia Spectacular).

An international festival spotlight session, supported by the British Council, has also been organised with the organisers of Hong Kong’s Clockenflap, Breakfest in Colombia and Bushfire Festival in Swaziland confirmed to speak.

“As the hour rapidly approaches, all at AIF are absolutely buzzing about the Congress,” said AIF co-founder Rob da Bank. “These latest announcements show that we’re bringing the cream of the independent festival world together in Cardiff. The stage is set for an excellent conference and we’ll be celebrating a big season that has seen more sold-out AIF festivals than ever before, with an almighty party! Tickets are flying out now. We’ll see you in Wales!” 

The AIF Festival Congress will also host the Festival Congress Celebration, which will include awards, speeches and band performances. BBC Radio 1 presenter Huw Stephens will DJ at the after party, along with Rob da Bank, Chris Tofu (Continental Drifts) and Madame Electrifie.

The Festival Congress is presented by AIF and supported by the Major Events Unit of the Welsh Government and the British Council.

The AIF has previously covered a wide range of issues including the dangers of ‘legal highs’ at festivals.
 
Got a story for Access All Areas? Email Tom Hall

Follow us @Access_AA 
Or on Facebook and Instagram