‘Once nibbled, forever smitten’ – as the T-shirts proclaim….

….And it’s true. Nibley is fast becoming the most sought-after small, niche festival in the UK. It stands out from the crowd for not only great music but its dedication to providing a safe festival experience for families and creating a magical atmosphere in one of the most stunning locations to host a music festival.

Last year’s line-up included The Selecter, Dodgy, The Christians, Imperial Leisure, The Roving Crows, Proud Mary, Stone Foundation, Howl Griff, Cole Stacey and many more. It sold out in under 36 hours in 2012, and the organisers estimate they could have sold 10,000 tickets, however the figure has to be capped under 5,000. 

Nibley Festival Background

The Nibley Festival was started in 2007 by a group of villagers in North Nibley that just thought it would be a good idea one night down the pub – simple as that really.

It started small, with local bands on make-shift stages and some beer and food. Over the years it quickly evolved and gained an army of fans allowing the organisers to book bigger and better bands.

The organisers are all local volunteers that love music and want to put on a great show for the local community and beyond. It is not a commercial operation and any money generated is either ploughed back into the festival for future years or donated to local charities and good causes.

2011 was the big turning point for the festival with its biggest bands yet – including The Beat - and selling out before the day of the event. Previously tickets had always still been available on the door.

2012 was yet another leap forward with all tickets sold in under 36 hours, three big headline acts, plus a good handful of up-and-coming bands who have had airplay and some new bands picked by the Nibley organisers. 

So what about 2013?

This will be the 7th Nibley Festival and the aim this year is really to just keep the momentum going. As the numbers have to be capped to under 5,000 Nibley is destined to be a small niche festival – but one where tickets are sought-after. It cannot grow – but it can get better and that is the aim. Keep the ethos the same (fantastic music, great atmosphere, family-friendly, safe, environmentally friendly, and stunningly beautiful) – and keep the fans happy.

The festival will be held in the same beautiful location overlooking the rolling hills of the Cotswolds at North Nibley Cricket Ground on Saturday 6th July 2013. Ticket prices remain almost crazily low at £23.00 for an adult and £9.00 for a child.

Perched on a hill with views over the Severn Valley and beyond to the Brecon Beacon’s it’s no wonder the Telegraph newspaper named it one of the prettiest cricket grounds in the country a few years ago.