There were big wins for Latitude, End Of The Road, Lost Village and TRNSMT, while Secret Garden Party founder Freddie Fellowes took the Outstanding Contribution award at last night's UK Festival Awards.
Previously held at Roundhouse, the event switched to East London's Troxy and was presented by comedian Rufus Hound. The UK Festival Conference, which was typically held on the day of the awards, was discontinued this year.
Fellowes (pictured), who picked up his award from event founder Steve Jenner, was honoured in recognition of his pivotal role in the formation of the boutique scene. Previous winners have included Peter Gabriel, Michael Eavis and Rob da Bank. The final Secret Garden Party was held in July.
“I feel very humbled by this, and to tell the honest truth, this has been not only an honour and a privilege but also an utter blast to have been a part of," said Fellowes, who was also awarded the inaugural Association of Independent Festivals Pioneer award by The Festival Congress last month. "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 recognised.”
A spokesperson for the UK Festival Awards said: "Across its illustrious 15-year tenure, the Secret Garden Party consistently set the creative benchmark for UK festivals – shifting the focus away from big name headliners in order to cultivate an extraordinarily immersive and participatory atmosphere through fantastical set design and meticulous attention to detail. It facilitated a grant system to encourage upcoming artists and acted as a springboard to a whole host of creative people – musicians, installation artists, performers, chefs, technicians – who have gone on to forge successful careers around the world.
"In addition to pioneering in the creative side of festival organisation, Fellowes has not been afraid to tackle current issues head on. He has been widely commended for being one of the first organisers to sanction MAST drug-testing facilities at a festival, a practice that has since been rolled out across many other festivals and events in the UK. And, with his wife Joanna he has been very vocal about promoter duty of care concerning the issue of sexual assaults at live music events. He encouraged AIF to set up the sexual safety charter for events."
Elsewhere, Latitude was named Best Major Festival, End Of The Road took Best Medium-Sized Festival, Lost Village won Best Small Festival and TRNSMT claimed Best New Festival. The award for Best Metropolitan Festival went to Slam Dunk Festival, while Camp Festival was the winner of Best Family Festival. DHP Family's multi-city Dot To Dot was crowned the Best Festival For Emerging Talent.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Best Major Festival
In association with Ticketmaster
Latitude Festival
Best Medium-Sized Festival
In association with Peppermint Bars
End Of The Road
Best Small Festival
Lost Village
Best New Festival
In association with Skiddle
TRNSMT Festival
Best Metropolitan Festival
Slam Dunk Festival
Best Family Festival
Camp Bestival
Best Non-Music Festival
Bournemouth 7s
Promoter of the Year
In association with Imaginators
SJM Concerts
Agency of the Year
Coda Agency
The Brand Activation Award
In association with CGA
The JägerHaus
The Grass Roots Festival Award
2000trees
Best Overseas Festival
Outlook Festival
Best Festival For Emerging Talent
In association with Skiddle
Dot to Dot Festival
Line-Up of the Year
In association with Tuned In Travel
Liverpool Music Week
Best Festival Production
In association with PRG XL Video
Lost Village
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Kendal Calling with Tour.Media
The Innovation Award
In association with Transition Video
The Loop
Concession of the Year
Piecaramba!
Best Hospitality
In association with Pernod Ricard
Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park
The Outstanding Contribution to Festivals Award
Freddie Fellowes
