In an exclusive interview, Festivals For All talks to Mike Stephens, the man behind the Acoustic Festival Of Britain. We discuss the festival scene in general and get some early insights into Mike’s plans for this year’s Acoustic Festival …….

Mike knows the festival scene intimately, having been involved with the festival scene since 1987 and has held over 135 outdoor music licences and promoted numerous tours before and since. An early founder of what was later to become Guilfest; Mike promoted the extremely successful and revered Heineken free festivals of the nineties.  He’s recently moved away from seventy five thousand attendee festivals to focus on the smaller, more intimate events where music, presented in an acoustic setting, drives his ethos of what makes a great event.

We asked Mike about the current festival scene and how he sees it developing:He still views the next five years as a growth period for festivals in general with the major events becoming even bigger and more sophisticated, whilst the smaller events continue to thrive; with those with a specialist focus or appeal really cementing their spot in the festival calendar. Where he does see a negative impact of the current economic climate is on events heavily supported by grants; such as the community festival scene. Cuts in funding will clearly impact their ability to survive as low priced or free events.  However, Mike was quick to remind us that festivals like Acoustic Festival flourish without any state funding and yet can deliver similar economic benefits to the community in which they are held. His great relationship with the good people of Uttoxeter, home of the Acoustic Festival, appears to prove the point!

Festival goer’s expectations have changed over the years and Mike stresses the importance of the facilities as much as the bands in people’s choice of festivals and their enjoyment whilst on-site. He puts his wallet where his mouth is on this score with the facilities at the Acoustic Festival being some of the best around; the quality of their flush toilets and showers being highly commended by Mrs Festivalsforall. Praise indeed.Mike told us more about the Acoustic Festival in general and this year’s event in particular:

The Acoustic Festival was born for Mike’s original involvement and pleasure in running the Guilford Festival (now Gulfest), particularly the acoustic stage.  Whilst Guilfest grew and grew, he was particularly attracted to music in its acoustic form, performed as it was actually written, on keys or guitar strings. The Acoustic Festival boasts quality names across all music genres performing their talents, but stripped down to its original format and surrounded by stories. At Acoustic Festival you get to know the artist as much as the song. Although the festival has first class amplified sound systems, musically there has no mechanical production or effects so you can listen to the words and music in an intense ‘Acoustic’ way. Some of the biggest bands on the scene have prepared special acoustic sets for Acoustic Festival over the years. If you’re new to the idea - think ‘MTV Unplugged ‘and you’ll get the picture!

Whilst the Acoustic Festival attracts all age groups and types, the festival particularly attracts a more mature music loving audience who know their music and appreciate its presentation in acoustic format. These are people who demand the best facilities and organisation – which given the number of returning regulars over the years, is exactly what Acoustic Festival delivers. The music is supported by quality traders, and food & drink – with prices equivalent to local pub prices. Mike’s ethos is that any festival worth its salt “should be both affordable and clean”. Held in the centre of Uttoxeter’s famous race course, Mike is proud of the fact that last year the site was totally cleared and handed back to the race course owners by tea time Monday! “This is all due to the responsible festival goer that the festival and the acoustic musical vibe attract” explained Mike.So successful is the format that Mike disclosed that he is planning an Acoustic Festival Of The Celts later in the year, coupled with taking a number of favourite artists on the road as an Acoustic Festival tour.  The plan is for the Acoustic Festival to become more of year round set of events.  You heard it here first. More info as we get it!

We asked Mike what excited him particularly about this year’s event; 

In 2011 the festival is hosting an Acoustic Guitar Festival featuring some internationally renowned guitar virtuosos – “worth the price of the festival ticket alone” says Mike!  The artists will appear in various tents over the duration of the festival but this is not strictly a ‘festival within a festival’; timings will be staggered to allow festival goers to take in the main stage acts too.Although blessed with some stunning May weather last time around, Mike is sourcing a big top this year to ensure there is plenty of shelter should conditions demand.2011 will be the second year the festival has been held at Uttoxeter racecourse which Mike thinks is an excellent venue …” it’s the little things that make the difference,” says Mike, “like the circular roadway around the track which allow easy access to all areas of the site, irrespective of the weather.” Those of you unfortunate enough to have been at events where the service wagons can’t access the site due to churned up fields will appreciate the importance of this!2011 will see some slight improvements to layout; “2010 was our first year here and it worked well, this year we’ll be making some minor modifications to make it even better” said Mike.

And the artists? “We’ve got most genres covered, with rock, pop, folk and everything in-between” states Mike. The headliners are household names, but is there anyone relatively unknown to the UK scene which particularly excites, asked Festivals For All?  “I’d recommend all the 60+ acts on the bill” quips Mike “getting John Parr for the festival is a special treat for me, but I’m thrilled to have 3 Pairs Of Shoes and Sion Russell Jones on the bill too. Although relative unknowns, I’ve been around a while and I think both these acts have that special something to really take off”.  Take Heed.

Finally, have you any surprises up your sleeve we asked? “There are still a couple of slots reserved” hinted Mike “and there will be formal announcement shortly regarding Nik Kershaw”. Watch This Space.

The 2011 Acoustic Festival runs from May 20th-22nd and is held at Uttoxeter Racecourse in Staffordshire. Full details are available here:

 http://www.festivalsforall.com/festival/the-acoustic-festival-of-britain-2011