Fernhill Fields (sample) started in 2014 as a party in one barn. It is still run by the family who farm the land and a team of volunteers.
We cap the festival at six thousand people a day, so you can walk from one stage to another in a changeover and still find your friends (sample).
No VIP area, no sponsor stages. Ticket money pays the bands, the crew and the farm, in that order.
A field has to be a field again by the end of July. These are the rules we set ourselves.
No single-use bottles on sale. Six free water points and reusable cups at every bar.
The Orchard and the info tent run on solar and batteries; the big stages share one efficient generator.
Campers pay a $10 litter deposit, back when you hand in a full bag (example prices).
Every food stall comes from within forty miles of the farm (sample).
Every steward is paid or gets a free weekend ticket for three shifts.
A small office on the farm all year, and four hundred people on site in July.
Festival director and farmer (sample)
Programmer, books the bands (sample)
Site manager (sample)
Box office and access (sample)
Volunteers and crew (sample)
Sound and stages (sample)
The box office answers by email within two working days, and by phone on weekdays from 10:00 to 16:00.