Galbraith Joins Festival Board

Former Live Nation exec and AEG partner Stuart Galbraith has joined the board of the UK-based Association Of Independent Festivals.

The Kilimanjaro Live chief, who’s in charge of such European festivals as Wakestock, Vans Warped Tour and Sonisphere, now qualifies for indie status since he officially left AEG a year ago.

“Kilimanjaro is delighted to be joining AIF, bringing with us the festival brands we’re involved with,” Galbraith said of joining the board, which also includes Coda agent and Summer Sundae director Rob Challice, Radio One DJ and Bestival curator Rob da Bank, WOMAD Festival director Chris Smith, Generator chief and Evolution Festival director Jim Mawdsley and Sid Sharma, founder and creative director of Shambala.

AIF co-founder and deputy chairman Ben Turner said AIF’s board will be “a livelier place” as a result of Galbraith’s arrival.
“He has wanted to be a part of AIF for some time, and now he’s finally become fully independent it’s the right time,” he said.

AIF is also benefiting from an increase in membership, with the new arrivals including Tramlines, In The Woods Festival, Greenbelt, London Summer Jam, Folk On The Water, Brecon Jazz, Larmer Tree, Festibelly, Imaginadium, Open House Festival, Blissfields and Huw Stevens’ SWN Festival.

The festivals under AIF’s banner now total 42.