A popular Cambridgeshire music festival is ditching traditional big-name headliners "to nurture budding artists instead".
Secret Garden Party (SGP), which returns to Abbots Ripton near Huntingdon this summer, is backing the Chai Wallahs’ Drop a Headliner initiative and instead channelling resources into supporting rising talent for its 2024 edition.
Over the past 20 years, SGP has become a thriving hub for emerging and independent artists.
The festival has provided a launch pad for now globally-recognised artists such as Lilly Allen, Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, and even hosted the first ever festival appearance of Regina Spektor.
SGP’s freshly-curated line-up consists of more than 350 artists, including Unkle, Crystal Fighters, Chinchilla, Franky Wah, Carly Wilford, Adelphi Music Factory, Jakkob, Omega Nebula, Technobrass, and TC & the Groove.
Grassroots music venues such as Chai Wallahs, The Living Room, Noiganica, and independent music collectives including Save Our Scene, Parable Music, Dubtendo and Truth Tribe are set to provide stage takeovers in an unparalleled event set to take place in July.
Fred Fellowes, founder of SGP, said: "We believe in being a breeding ground for talent to grow.
"Why allocate a massive budget to one or two headliners when it could fuel another 50 outstanding acts?
"This year's focus is on providing grassroots artists the ability to shine, whilst actively redefining festival experiences for the future."
Meanwhile, Si Chai, founder of Chai Wallahs, said: “Having been ardent supporters of the grassroots scene for over 20 years, we were chuffed when Secret Garden Party agreed to be the first independent festival to collaborate with us on the ‘Drop a Headliner’ campaign.
"There is so much more enjoyment to be had in the discovery of new music, and please trust me when I say that there is a massive world of undiscovered talent."
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Besides the musical experience, SGP offers an outlet for grassroots creatives across the worlds of art, sculpture, costume and performance.
Popular areas from previous years will be reintroduced, featuring an expanded line-up crossing numerous genres with a diverse mix of live performances.
Tickets for the Secret Garden Party: Roots festival are currently available on the event’s official website.
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