Secret Garden Party’s Freddie Fellowes Honored

Freddie Fellowes, founder of the iconic Secret Garden Party festival, will receive the Outstanding Contribution award at this year’s UK Festival Awards, Nov. 30 at the Troxy in London. 

– Freddie Fellowes
Secret Garden Party Founder

After 15 years, Secret Garden Party celebrated its last edition July 20-23 in Abbots Ripton, England. The festival’s founder, Freddie Fellowes, told Pollstar that one artist once said about the event: “As close as you can get to the spirit and vibe of the Burning Man, without leaving England.”

The festival had been hailed as the largest un-sponsored and truly independent festival in the UK. Set around lakes, gardens and woods, it had embraced the idea of making the event itself the headliner from day one. “It was the focus on making it a party and not a spectator event that made SGP special,” said Fellowes.

Speaking about the award, he said: “I feel very humbled by this, as to tell the honest truth; this has been not only an honor but also an utter blast to have been a part of. Every year so many people gave so much to make this party and in return got so much back from it. It was beautiful. I’m glad for all of those people that it’s been recognized.”

Fellowes was also presented with the Pioneer Award at this year’s Independent Festival Awards, Oct. 30, where Secret Garden Party was also awarded for its VIP/Celebrity Obsession marketing campaign.

The UK Festival Awards move from the Roundhouse in London’s Camden Town to the Troxy in 2017.

Organizers promise “a considerably lower ticket price, festival-style catering, an extended drinks reception and in-house after party.”