Grassroots Music Sector Gets Lifeline: ‘Hopscotch’ Festival Launches Cooperative Model

A pioneering collective of independent festival organizers and grassroots music venues has announced the launch of the ‘Where It All Began’ festival, scheduled for spring 2026. This not-for-profit initiative aims to create a sustainable blueprint for the music sector by fostering collaboration and shared resources, an effort to counteract the financial pressures that have led to the closure of numerous smaller music events.

A New Cooperative Model for Music Festivals

Blamed for the slow collapse of the UK’s alternative live music circuit are soaring costs and the increasing dominance of large corporate entities. In response, the ‘Where It All Began’ festival will bring together independent festivals, venues, and collectives to share resources, reduce expenses, and consolidate audiences. The model is designed to cut production and transport costs by up to 40%, with marketing efforts relying on shared databases instead of expensive campaigns. Organizers are optimistic that this approach can serve as a replicable solution for stabilizing the most vulnerable parts of the music industry.

Key Figures and Backing

The initiative is spearheaded by Si Chai, the creative director of Chai Wallahs and a prominent figure in the independent music scene. His vision is to create a cooperative that participants will co-own and co-program. The project has garnered support from the Music Venue Trust, an organization dedicated to protecting and improving grassroots music venues across the UK. Freddie Fellowes, founder of the Secret Garden Party festival, has offered his family’s farm in Cambridgeshire as the venue for the inaugural event.

Addressing Industry Challenges

Chai expressed his concerns about the current state of independent festivals, stating, “The current independent festival model has become unsustainable, pressured and too financially stressful for most organisers since Covid, which means a wealth of incredible grassroots artists are being denied a fair opportunity to perform and carve out their own careers.” He emphasized that this is not just about a single festival but a rescue plan for the entire sector. According to the Association of Independent Festivals, 78 independent festivals were cancelled or closed in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year.

Financing and Future Plans

Financing for the ‘Where It All Began’ festival will include a public crowdfunding campaign, set to launch later this year. This campaign will offer members a stake in how the event is managed, reinforcing the cooperative ethos. Already, nine independent venues and collectives have committed to participating, with more expected to join. The collective will operate as a Community Benefit Society, a structure designed to ensure that assets are used for the benefit of the community.

Aims to Support Grassroots Artists

The overarching goal is to create a more resilient and equitable ecosystem for grassroots music. By pooling resources and sharing expertise, the festival aims to provide a platform for emerging artists who are currently struggling to find opportunities due to the challenging economic climate. This news event marks a significant step towards collective action within the music industry, offering a hopeful outlook for its future.