Boomtown appoints new Managing Director

16 December 2025 - Press release

Boomtown Festival has announced the promotion of Toby Gwazdacz to the newly created role of Managing Director, marking an evolution in the festival’s leadership structure. In his new position, Gwazdacz will work strategically alongside Boomtown co-founders Luke Mitchell and Chris Rutherford, who continue to drive the long-term vision and future growth of the festival.

Gwazdacz joined Boomtown in April 2022 and has served as Commercial Director for the past four years, playing a central role in guiding the festival through a period of major creative and organisational development.

Commenting on his appointment, Boomtown’s new Managing Director Toby Gwazdacz said:

"Boomtown is the ultimate immersive experience, and that is why our loyal community returns and word spreads to new citizens each year. We have carefully navigated the evolution from our underground roots to becoming a major player in the UK festival calendar, and whilst the success of the festival increases, so does our scope for boundless creativity. The strong growth we’ve achieved over the last four years has created the foundation for me to now take a broader strategic focus across the organisation of Boomtown. I am incredibly excited for the future and where our team’s ambitions and innovations will take us next."

Luke Mitchell, co-founder, said:

"Toby has been instrumental in shaping Boomtown’s recent evolution. His leadership, and ability to seamlessly connect the commercial and cultural sides of the festival have elevated what we’re capable of. This new structure allows us to focus on the next era of Boomtown while knowing the organisation is in exceptionally strong hands."

Chris Rutherford, co-founder, added:

"Over the past four years, Toby has helped guide Boomtown through some of our most ambitious moves yet. He brings deep industry experience, an aligned strategic vision, and shared passion for creating the most immersive festival experience for our community every year. We’re incredibly excited to continue pushing boundaries together."

Since its inception in 2009, Boomtown has evolved into one of the UK’s most pioneering festival experiences. Its devoted community now spans generations, returning each year to explore the event’s vast, transformative world.

The festival recently unveiled ‘Chapter Five: Radical Redesign’, which will see the 2026 edition deliver its most adventurous and diverse line-up to date, including leading names Kneecap, Scissor Sisters, Madness, Skrillex, Four Tet, Faithless, Scooter, Ashnikko, Shaggy, EVE and Ren, alongside a major expansion of the festival’s districts and staging.

This announcement follows Boomtown’s double win at the UK Festival Awards 2025, taking home both Large Festival of the Year and Tech Innovation of the Year, having previously secured Best Festival Production for three consecutive years.

Boomtown has also recently confirmed a charitable investment of £161,710 into community projects and good causes, including a landmark £100,000 donation to Winchester Hospice.

Boomtown takes place at Matterley Bowl in Hampshire from Wednesday 12th August to Sunday 16th August 2026. Remaining Tickets are on sale now: www.boomtownfair.co.uk/tickets

Boomtown 2026 line-up so far:
Kneecap, Scissor Sisters, Madness, Skrillex, Four Tet, Faithless, Scooter, Ashnikko, Shaggy, EVE, Ren, 999999999 - AV Show, Alborosie & Shengen Clan, Antony Szmierek, Bad Manners, Big Special, Brutalismus 3000, Camo & Krooked B2B Mefjus, Diffrent, Elvana, Floating Points - Live, Gentleman's Dub Club & Friends, Groove Armada, High Vis, KiIimanjaro B2B Oppidan, Kings of the Rollers: Present Royal Rumble, Less Than Jake, L'Entourloop, HAVOC of MOBB DEEP w/ BIG NOYD + DJ L.E.S, Marlon Hoffstadt, Mungo's Hi Fi Allstars, Nimino - Live, Notion, Oguz, Princess Nokia, Sampa the Great, Sherelle - AV Show, Shy FX, Skindred, Vengaboys, Wilkinson
Plus more to be announced…

Watch The Official Trailer for 2026 - A New Kind of Boomtown is Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzlcT14Tzag

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