You know what we need? A new music industry trade association, that's what. I love trade associations. And frankly, I think we need at least another nine. Actually, this new trade body has been set up by the man behind CMU's favourite festival, Mr Rob da Bank, so now I'm felling a bit bad about the faint sarcasm in my opening remarks there. And this one looks quite good, so let's give it lots of Daily space shall we?
Yes, da Bank announced yesterday that he was setting up an Association Of Independent Festivals. The announcement was made during the AGM of the Association Of Independent Music, held at music convention London Calling, which explains why AIM's big meet featured a Q&A with key players from the independent live music sector. AIM, which is, let's not forget, the association of independent recorded music, will assist in the establishment of the AIF, and AIM's chair Alison Wenham will also head up the new body.
The festival sector has, of course, expanded hugely in the last few years, with many of the new boutique festivals that have sprung up all over the place being promoted by independent individuals or companies (ie not owned by or affiliated to the likes of Live Nation, AEG or MAMA). That said, the festival sector is clearly struggling this year, partly due to market saturation, partly as a result of last year's terrible weather putting music fans off, and some smaller independent festivals, which often operate on tiny profit margins, are suffering. Da Bank hopes the new trade body will help.
He told CMU: "In the current very competitive, very intense climate, it's more crucial than ever to be able to bond together as like-minded independently spirited festivals to ride out the problems and make them all better for the paying customer".
The boss off another long running independent festival, Creamfields' James Barton, who also took part in the Q&A session at AIM's AGM, added: "There is a real opportunity to combine our spending power to deliver exciting business ideas. The smaller festivals are also often overlooked, and it's important we now have a voice to influence decisions being made that impact on our business".
Confirming her role, AIM and now AIF chair Alison Wenham told us: "AIM has come a very long way since it opened its doors nine years ago, and no greater compliment could be paid to us than to work with the newly formed AIF. AIM is a broad church of interests. AIM's and AIF's members are all independent entrepreneurs working in music. AIF will represent independent British Festivals, another great example of indie culture at work, requiring imagination and hard work. The synergies are undoubtedly there and we hope to provide AIF with a supportive and experienced environment in which they can develop the collective platform for the UK independent festival industry".
And finally Ben Turner, Rob da Bank's manager and a co-founder of the new association, said: "It was clear that working with somebody as strong and visionary as Alison and the AIM board was a clear route to market, a powerful message of our intention and an indication of where this concept can be taken for the benefit of festival owners, and subsequently the festival-going public. The AIM Board has been open, constructive and nothing but encouraging. At the same time, having our own identity is important. We have our own issues and agendas".
Membership of AIF will be by invitation only, and those who have accepted invites to join at launch are Chris Greenwood (Big Chill), Chris Smith (Womad), Dave Farrow (Beautiful Days), Franc Gooding (Bloom Festival), Freddie Fellowes (Secret Garden Party), James Barton (Creamfields), Jim King (Loud Sound), John Reynolds (Electric Picnic), Nick Ladd (Glade), Rob Challice (Summer Sundae Weekender) and Tom Baker (Field Day).