Viagogo Support Enables Boutique UK Festival Launch
When news broke that a new boutique festival called Found was launching in the UK in 2025, Pollstar wanted to know how its founders made it happen – especially after just announcing the last chapter of one of the UK’s oldest festivals, Towersey, in 2024.
See: Towersey Festival UK Says 60th Anniversary Edition Will Be Its Last
Given the post-COVID economy, as well as the many independent UK festivals that had to either postpone or shut down for good this year, it is encouraging to see a new boutique event coming onto the scene. Found Festival co-director Mary Hodson told Pollstar how this was possible, and while a grant from the UK’s Arts Council helped, the real saving grace came from viagogo, who have been working with the grassroots sector by supporting venues, emerging artists programs, and now independent festivals.
“We believe in what they’re doing, in terms of investment in the right things, and the programs that they have been running for several years have been really successful and really made a difference,” said Hodson, adding, “without the support from Viagogo we would not be able to produce a festival at all.”
Pollstar reached out to viagogo to find out more about its grassroots initiatives, and its help with Found Festival. A spokesperson for viagogo responded, “in 2024, viagogo proudly began supporting Towersey Festival and we’re delighted to be working with the talented founders Mary Hodson, and Joe Heap to help continue their legacy and launch their latest venture, Found Festival in 2025. It’s a very important partnership to us, Festivals like Found are vital to propelling the next generation of talent.
“We’re dedicated to finding ways to support the industry. For over a decade, we’ve partnered with organizations that help underserved, emerging talent. Through social impact partnerships and donations, we’re working with the wider live entertainment industry to help solve some of the systemic issues that prevent people from participating in live events.”
Outside of the support for Found Festival, this work includes partnering with organizations like Saffron or Limitless Live. “In the UK, 2025 will mark the fourth consecutive year viagogo has supported Limitless Live, the UK’s largest free live music show that raises awareness of music industry career opportunities for underrepresented communities,” the spokesperson explained, adding, “Saffron are a non-profit group providing training in music production, sound engineering, and DJing, to fund their Artist Development Program, helping artists unlock creative potential, build industry networks, and advance their careers.”
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