PLANNING STARTS FOR HEADLANDER MUSIC FESTIVAL IN 2015

Headlander Music Festival 2014 proves a hit….…and the drumroll starts to seek sponsors for 2015…

Over 6,000 partygoers gathered in the sunshine at Greater Manchester’s family-friendly music festival, Headlander, which returned to Stockport, for its second year in June. Tipped as Glastonbury of the North…. Headlander is fast becoming known as one of the region’s leading family music and entertainment experiences.

Headline acts Stooshe, The Mend and Toploader entertained the crowds, along with 85 other acts; and music fans enjoyed 80 hours of live music on five stages in the fields of Stockport Rugby Club, set in Bramhall.

Following 16 years of events management led by Stockport RUFC, featuring the likes of Elkie Brooks and Fairport Convention, as well as showcase events in high spec marquees….Headlander was created to develop this success into a family music festival.

The Stockport region is rich with creative industries….and Headlander is committed to reflecting that. Much more than a music festival, Headlander brings together creatives, all committed to capturing the atmosphere of Headlander. Renowned UK artist Chris Cyprus was Headlander’s artist in residence 2014 and reflected the fun and spirit of this year’s event, donating every single canvas he paints to raise money for Headlander’s dedicated charity, Millie’s Trust. Whilst Poynton artist Ali Hargreaves presented the festival site map in watercolour. Imagine FM broadcast the event live which includes a fun fair, magicians, face painters, balloon modelling, bouncy castles, giant slides, Bucking Broncho and free access to the on-site Wild Things Soft Play Area for the under 10s.

With Battle of the Bands, Open Mic as well as the smaller stages….Headlander is as much about celebrating emerging talent as showcasing named acts. For older children the Urban Sports Arena provided entertainment; for budding stars I Love Bramhall hosted an open mic competition. With a trade village selling food and drink from around the world; The Teenage Market on site, as well as the Dyed Urban Sports Arena, street artists and funfair….Headlander genuinely had something for everyone.

Jack Henigan, Lead vocalist of Kazo, an emerging band who are launching their first EP in October played Headlander main stage, said: “Headlander is simply amazing, it was incredible to play the Saturday night…supporting Stooshe….brilliant! ….roll on 2015!”

Visitors commented “…a local festival with a national feel…” “….Manchester’s very own Glastonbury…”

The lead up to Headlander is equally exciting – with a Sportsman’s Dinner, DIVAs night and Millies’ Trust charity ball. Headlander supports three charities – Millie’s Trust, OXJAM and War Child…and Stockport’s largest commercial property landlord, Orbit Developments was the main sponsor this year. The event, mainly sponsored by Orbit Developments,  included a skatepark, market stalls, a funfair and games, has also appreciated sponsorship over the last two years from Richer Sounds, Arighi Bianchi, Stockport Car Market, Simon Dunn Chocolatiers, Destinology and Asco Lights.

Help make Headlander 2015 happen

The drum roll is now starting in the build up to Headlander 2015…and festival organisers are seeking sponsors to keep developing the success of this year’s event that brought thousands into Stockport.

Headlander is reliant upon volunteer and sponsor support to succeed. This year volunteers worked a total of 8940 hours, which costed at £10 per hour (including expenses) totalled £89,400.00 sponsorship in kind. Nearly £13,000 was donated through professional industry voluntary support, mainly PR, photography and videography.

Headlander provides significant and developing Social and Cultural Impact within Stockport. Festival-goers expressed great pride in Headlander and Stockport…..seeing the festival as making a dramatic positive difference in providing a genuine family event that attracted visitors far and wide into the area. Local security business Stopfordian provided an immeasurable sense of safety for festival goers…commented by visitors as significantly contributing to the unique family feel Headlander offers.

Notwithstanding all the commercial points, smaller festivals have an immeasurable benefit in terms of a community gathering, a family day out, supporting local bands and working with local businesses. A sense of community can erode over time as people relocate and seeing a Rugby Club and Festival organisers coming together as volunteers to create a successful festival is something to be very proud of indeed.

To find out more about Headlander’s sponsorship packages please contact Chris Keene on 07711 265 003 or Rachel Wallace on 07939292820.