Always on
This project successfully funded on 31st January 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
'Grassroots Rising' presents 'Where it all Began'
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
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First target reached!
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Aim
Create a new, collaborative, not-for-profit festival - designed to secure the future of independent grassroots music, venues & festivals.
Wow… what a ride.
Words can’t fully express our gratitude to every Original Founder and donor who has supported this project.
What an incredible community of positive, forward-thinking, music-loving legends you are.
Thank you for believing in us — and in this concept.
You’ve given us the strength, confidence and momentum to push this forward properly.
Where It All Began Festival now has the backing to bring about the change we all know is needed.
We can’t wait to celebrate life, creative culture, positive solutions, community and the summer equinox with you all.
Over the coming days, we’ll be in touch with next steps and updates.
The project remains open for donations.
And if you — or someone you know — would still like to join us, tickets are now available via our partner, Citizen Tickets: HERE
Here’s to a year of endless possibilities.
Big love.
Si Chai, Potts
www.Whereitallbeganfestival.org
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WE'RE NOT WAITING FOR CHANGE : WE'RE CREATING IT
'Where it all Began' Festival - 18th-21st June 2026 - Grange Farm, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
Hit DONATE for 'Original Founder' TICKETS
After 25 years of pouring our hearts into Chai Wallahs, our award-winning independent festival touring venue, and proud champion of grassroots culture and independent musicians; we are at breaking point and we are not alone!
The grassroots live sector stands at a crossroads. Grassroots venues are closing, independent festivals are collapsing, the squeeze of corporate dominance and creeping Government authoritarianism is being felt across the landscape, and the creative ecosystem that once defined British culture is under threat. However, there is a solution, and a new movement is on the rise.
IMAGINE...
A return to the roots - a place where the creative spirit and the core values of festival culture are upheld. High quality production is standard, musical diversity the foundation, and where audiences feel valued, respected and a deep sense of community.
A place where ‘All Good Things Come Together’
INTRODUCING - 'WHERE IT ALL BEGAN' FESTIVAL
A new, collaborative, not-for-profit festival designed to secure the future of grassroots music, venues, festivals and creative culture. Championing independent artists, fostering discovery and shared experiences; ensuring that music, art, and festival culture remain accessible, authentic, and thriving for future generations.
'Where It All Began’ will be held at Grange Farm, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire; Stunning and Iconic in equal measure, and home to Secret Garden Party; the show that inspired a wave of creativity when it exploded onto the festival scene in 2004.
Set for 18th-21st June 2026, the festival will celebrate the Solstice, the peak of solar energy, and the start of British summertime.
The festival is designed to welcome around 5,000 music-loving festival goers, artsists and crew, maintaining an intimate and comfortable atmosphere across a thoughtfully planned site with a focus on comfort, flow, and connection.
At least seven unique stages, including the legendary Chai Wallahs, Secret Garden Party’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, and a whole host of stages and take-overs from a collective of the UK’s finest independent venues & festivals including; Band on the Wall, The Beat Goes On, Leeds Conservatoire, The Jam Jar, Hootananny, Trinity Centre, Clwb Ifor Bach, The 100 Club, Fox & Firkin, Brudenell Social Club, Woodburner, Global Local and more...
The intended result, a vibrant, refreshing and rewarding environment with something for every taste, where everyone is welcome and a good time is guaranteed.
You will arrive at a place that feels instantly familiar, a hidden haven where the pulse of live music meets the warmth of true community. The air hums with excitement, possibility, and the unmistakable buzz of summer. Everywhere you look, creativity thrives. Artists, musicians, dreamers and doers, all coming together to celebrate and remember what makes the true festival spirit so unique.
Here, high-quality production isn’t a luxury, it’s the norm. The sound is rich, the lights are dazzling yet intimate, and every performance feels personal. One minute you’re dancing under a canopy of trees to a world-class live act, the next you’re lost in a mesmerising late-night electronic set that feels like it was made just for you.
You wander through vibrant spaces, each one carefully crafted. From cosy corners filled with acoustic sounds, to open-air dance floors that glow as the sun sets. You taste the world through exceptional street food, sip on independent brews, and delight in cocktails that have been perfected over years, each one as unique as the crowd around you.
But this isn’t just a festival. It’s a collaboration. You’re part of it; your energy, your creativity, your presence helping to shape something bigger. In return, you’re invited to a restorative, energising, and inspiring experience; one that overflows with new musical discoveries, deep connections, and that rare, nostalgic feeling of what festivals are supposed to be.
Guided by festival veterans, industry organisations & the next generation of young creatives; ‘Where It All Began’ aims to ignite a nationwide movement, one that champions creative discovery and cultural enrichment, proving that the true value of an event lies not in profit, but in the lasting impact it leaves on people and communities.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT, SUPPORT THE CAUSE
The ‘Where It All Began’ Crowdfunder invites you to join the movement and become part of the founding community shaping a new era for grassroots culture. Supporters of this initiative aren’t just securing an unforgettable festival experience at exceptional value; they’re actively helping to safeguard the UK’s creative and cultural landscape for generations to come. A pledge today for an adult ticket (or tickets) will mean you (and your group) will be ‘Original Founders’ of the Festival.
This event can only happen with your help. Hitting our target of £100,000 will give us the foundation needed to go ahead with confidence, help us garner further support for the festival, free press, wider coverage and result in a larger production budget to spend on quality content, instead of lining the pockets of the Metaverse.
With the interest shown already through our surveys, the reach and hard work of all our partners, we are confident that we can go way beyond this target. Time is of the essence and tickets are limited, so please show your support as soon as you can. Rest assured though, if we do not feel we have enough support to go ahead in 2026, all pledges for adult tickets will be refundable (funds are held in escrow by Crowdfunder).
If you can’t come to the event in 2026, or just want to support the cause, there are lots of other ways! Limited edition merchandise is available as you can see on the rewards listings. Anyone can get t-shirts or hoodies, but you will only get versions emblazoned with “Festival Founder” if you have also pledged to get at least one “Original Founder Festival Ticket”.
There is also an Open Donation field at the end of the “checkout” process. Here anyone can support the not-for-profit Grassroots CIC in its mission, with any amount large or small. These funds will help provide access to the event, especially for those on low incomes (see below). Please note merchandise and open donation amounts will not be refundable, all merchandise orders will be fulfilled.
HOW WILL IT WORK FOR YOU?
Following the closure of the Crowdfunder campaign all those who have secured “Original Founder Festival Ticket” will be sent a special VIP Festival Founder invite to the event from our ticketing partner.
Once you have received this you will be required to confirm personal details for all tickets you have secured. You will then be able to add all ancillaries you wish; vehicle passes, boutique camping etc. Due to the large capacity of the site, and limited size of the event, we can guarantee all options (including campervan spaces) will be available to all our ‘Original Founder’ supporters.
A full list of tickets and pricing can be found in the full event T&Cs. Please note access to the event will only be granted in accordance with these T&Cs. As such all adult tickets will be required to add a fully refundable recycling deposit.
Your actual event e-tickets and routing passes will then be delivered to you a few weeks ahead of the event.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO ALL OF US
Grassroots venues and independent festivals are the lifeblood of the UK music scene. Where artists get their first chance, where lifelong friendships are made, and where the creative spirit thrives.
But right now, they’re disappearing fast.
‘Where It All Began’ is our solution; a model that nurtures the scene that has given us so much. Without it, what does the future hold for the next generation? For our children? Where will the musicians, storytellers, and artists of tomorrow go to play; and where will we, the music lovers, go to feed our souls?
A NEW MODEL FOR THE FUTURE
Where It All Began is pioneering a community-led, decentralised, not-for-profit model for festivals that will support the industry as a whole and the next generation of artists, venues and festivals.
• A not-for-profit initiative with no shareholders, every penny goes straight back into seeding and sustaining the grassroots community.
• Fair pay and opportunity for grassroots artists, by providing quality performance platforms, removing inflated high-profile artist fees and upholding MU (Musicians’ Union) pay standards.
• Shared benefits model for all participating partners. Allowing struggling venues, festivals and promoters to generate income without stress and financial risk.
• A decentralised collaborative approach to programming, resulting in a line-up of the finest independent and emerging artists from across the nation and beyond.
• A higher artistic budget for grassroots programmers, possible due to the VAT cultural exemption, funding more creative content and higher production values.
• Affordable pricing for audiences, driven by savings generated through collaboration, resource sharing and supportive partnerships with industry suppliers.
• Pathways to Industry initiatives, including the creation of a youth led venue, in partnership with Leeds Conservatoire, BIMM Music Institute, Festival Lab and Diplomats of Sound CIC.
• Inspiring and supporting the next generation of creatives, through incentive based and meaningful opportunities to engage with live music and the grassroots industry.
HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS
Every contribution from you goes directly into:
- Building the festival infrastructure and creative spaces
- Funding fair artist fees and grassroots programming
- Supporting independent venues and promoters to take part
- Developing opportunities for young people to gain real industry experience
‘Where It All Began’ will grow through you, the community that believes in the power of music and connection. This crowdfunder is our first step, and when successful, will allow us to expand our capacity, partnerships, and programme in direct proportion to the funds raised.
BACKED BY THE BEST
We're proud to already be collaborating with:
Arts Council England, Music Venue Trust, Association of Independent Festivals, Save Our Scene, Secret Garden Party, The Beat Goes On, and a growing list of national partners including Leeds Conservatoire, Festival Lab, The Jam Jar, Hootananny, Trinity, Clwb Ifor Bach, The 100 Club, Fox & Firkin, Band on the Wall, Brudenell Social Club, Woodburner, and Global Local.
“This initiative will play a crucial role in sustaining independent festivals and venues for years to come.”
— John Rostron, CEO, Association of Independent Festivals
“A bold and much-needed initiative that has the potential to redefine how independent festivals operate.”
— Freddie Fellowes, Founder, Secret Garden Party
“It’s this kind of initiative that will foster multiple platforms for emerging artists to perform but also provide great spaces for some of the country's best loved grassroots venues to present the breadth and depth of their programming.”
– Mark Davyd, CEO, Music Venue Trust
INCLUSIVITY
At Grassroots Rising CIC, accessibility and inclusivity are central to everything we do. We recognise that economic inclusivity is a vital part of this, especially given the ongoing impacts of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. That’s why we’re striving to keep the entry cost as low as possible.
We also understand that a £175 donation, particularly as a single payment, may not be accessible for everyone. The Crowdfunder platform doesn’t currently allow instalment or payment plans, but we’re committed to finding flexible solutions wherever we can. If you’d like to become one of our Original Founding Members but the £175 pledge presents a financial barrier, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss options and any other accessibility needs.
The open-donation element of our Crowdfunder campaign is designed to help the CIC reduce cost as a barrier to participation. Every contribution directly supports community access and helps make the festival welcoming to all. Please support us in any way you can.
Our full T&Cs are available HERE – ROAR and admission to event as per full T&Cs.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made