Music Chiefs Unveil 'Rescue Plan' to Support Grassroots Gig Circuit

Festival organisers and grassroots venues have launched a "pioneering" music collective to counter what they say is the slow collapse of the alternative live circuit.

- Amelia Hill

The not-for-profit group, which blames rising costs and corporate dominance for pushing dozens of smaller events to fold, will bring together independent festivals, venues and collectives to share resources and pool audiences.

It is scheduling a Where It All Began event for next spring backed by the Music Venue Trust and Freddie Fellowes, the founder of the Secret Garden Party festival, who has offered to host it on his family's farm in Cambridgeshire.