The Independent Announces Exclusive News Partnership with Camp Bestival 2025 15 Jan 2025
The Independent is delighted to announce its exclusive news partnership with family-focused Camp Bestival for 2025. The collaboration will bring readers a blend of coverage, news, engaging content and exclusives.
This year, Basement Jaxx will headline Saturday night at the festival, bringing their full live show to attendees for the first time in a decade. The performance will see an array of singers, MCs, musicians and troupes of dancers take to Castle Stage for a technicolor live experience. The rest of the 2025 lineup will be announced soon.
Camp Bestival, held at Lulworth Castle on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, is the brainchild of renowned music specialist Rob da Bank and creative director Josie da Bank. It is known as the UK’s ultimate family festival.
In the lead up to and during the event, which runs from 31 July to 3 August, The Independent will bring live updates, exclusive interviews with artists and stories highlighting the unique experiences and performances taking place.
Rob da Bank, Founder and Co-curator of Camp Bestival, said: "Super chuffed to have The Independent on board as our official news partner for Camp Bestival 2025. Can't wait to share all the latest news from Camp Bestival HQ along with the very best festival content and a smattering of exclusives across the year as we head full-throttle towards the summer and another bumper year for Camp Bestival in Dorset!"
Josie da Bank, Camp Bestival’s Founder, Co-Curator and Creative Director, remarked: “Sixteen years ago, we created Camp Bestival as a way for families to reconnect with nature, each other and themselves. We didn’t know at the time that our mission would only become more essential as the years went on. Camp Bestival is so much more than a music festival, it’s an event that’s intentionally designed to help families unplug and make memories together.”
Roisin O’Connor, Music Editor for The Independent, commented: “I’m really thrilled that The Independent is partnering with another brilliant festival for 2025. Camp Bestival never fails to put on an eclectic lineup of artists, as well as plenty of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. See you there!”
Beth Gordon, The Independent’s Business Marketing and Communications Director added: “Camp Bestival is a wonderful, life-affirming festival and we’re so pleased to be coming together to spread its joy. The event is a perfect partner for us: not only do we share the same values of inclusion and innovation, it’s lovingly programmed and celebrates great music, wellbeing and creativity of all shapes and sizes. The Independent has more readers who love music, festival-going, crafts, nature, and health and fitness than any other quality digital news title. We also reach more parents and families than all other digital news brands, and ¾ of our audience is passionate about the arts. So we know they’re going to be so excited about the news and exclusives that are coming their way.”
Tickets for Camp Bestival Dorset 2025 are on sale now, including a new under 5 kids go free ticket offer (for a limited time only) www.campbestival.net/tickets.
NEWS & PRESS
Warner Music India and Rthyms.Life Join Forces to Amplify the Next Global Sound
Warner Music India has announced a strategic partnership with Rthyms.Life, a pioneering creator-first music ecosystem, to help amplify India’s unique sounds on the global stage. This alliance cements Rthyms.Life’s position as a trusted and transparent platform for artists, offering a full-stack...more
A Greener Future Reveals Europe’s Greener Arenas in 2025
Arenas from across the globe have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability in 2025 by achieving AGF’s Greener Arena Certification. Recipients include Ancienne Belgique, Brussels (BE), Co-op Live, Manchester (UK), M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool (UK) and AsiaWorld-Expo (HK). Receiving certification for a...more
The O2 and Music Venue Trust Forge Landmark Commitment to Fuel Future Talent
Venue Pledges Direct Financial Support for Grassroots Music Venues in Recognition of Every First-Time Arena Headliner The O2 and Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents hundreds of grassroots music venues across the UK, today announce a groundbreaking new commitment...more
Quarters Brighton Launches Partnership With AudioActive
Brighton's newest cultural hub joins forces with the youth music charity to create opportunities for emerging artists and the next generation of music industry talent… Quarters Brighton, the newest venue from Amaad Venues, is proud to announce a pioneering partnership with...more
Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with Breakthrough Singer-Songwriter Odeal
Sony Music Publishing announced today the signing of breakthrough singer, songwriter and artist Odeal to a worldwide publishing agreement. At just 25 years old, Odeal has quickly emerged as one of music’s most dynamic new voices, capturing audiences around the globe...more
Jack Whitehall heads back to Manchester to host the BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard
JACK'S "ODE TO MANCHESTER", FROM THE CURRY MILE TO CORONATION STREET, NOW LIVE - WATCH HERE PUBLIC TICKETS ON SALE FROM 10AM FROM BRITS.CO.UK SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2026 AT CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER ON ITV The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard today announce that award-winning...more
Wilful Publicity to rebrand as Wilful & Sullivan
David Sullivan becomes co-director of the music PR agency alongside founder William Luff Twelve years after launching Wilful Publicity, Founder and Managing Director William Luff is delighted to announce that the company will be re-branding as Wilful & Sullivan Publicity, in...more
Attitude is Everything marks 25 years of transforming accessibility in live music and events
Attitude is Everything (AiE), the UK charity that has transformed access and inclusion across live music and events, marks its 25th anniversary in 2025 with a renewed call for industry-wide action. Founded in 2000 by Suzanne Bull MBE, Attitude is...more
Tomorrow’s Warriors x Fontana announce Career Mentoring Scheme
Award-winning talent development organisation, creative producer and charity Tomorrow’s Warriors today announced a new partnership with Fontana (Universal Music UK) to deliver an innovative Career Mentoring Scheme to 12 emerging Warrior musicians. This marks the third round of the initiative, which...more
Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall - The essential concert series returns for 2026
Incredible gigs raising funds for young people with cancer ‘Cureator’ ROBERT SMITH announces today: ELBOW plus special guests MRCY ROBERT SMITH’S COMEDY FAVOURITES featuring MAISIE ADAM, BRIDGET CHRISTIE, JACK DEE, ANDY HAMILTON, DOM JOLY, MILES JUPP, ATHENA KUGBLENU, STEWART LEE, DARA Ó BRIAIN MOGWAI...more
£800 Million Won’t Create Jobs if Businesses Are Being Priced Out Says NTRIA
Statement from Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association:“The Government’s announcement of £800 million to tackle youth unemployment risks missing the point entirely if the businesses that create jobs are being priced out of existence. You cannot subsidise people into...more
CMAT extends long-term global deal with AWAL
BRIT Award-nominated and 2x Mercury Prize-shortlisted Irish superstar CMAT has signed another long-term deal with label partner AWAL. After the widely successful release of her album EURO-COUNTRY, which debuted #1 on the Irish charts (her third #1 Irish album with...more
AIF statement on new inquiry into UK live music industry competition and market functioning
A statement from the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) CEO John Rostron regarding the newly announced Business And Trade Committee inquiry into issues impacting competition and market functioning within the UK's live music industry. "AIF welcomes the newly announced Business And Trade Committee inquiry into...more
BBC Introducing launches in America
BBC Introducing in America will launch in Tennessee on Friday 5 December with a new show airing on the first Friday of every month. The new programme will see BBC Introducing join forces with college radio shows, piloting in Tennessee, to...more
Reservoir announces publishing deal with female-led disco-soul band Say She She
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a global publishing deal with Nya Gazelle Brown, Sabrina Cunningham, and Piya Malik, who together comprise Brooklyn-based band Say She She. The deal includes each member of the band’s...more
Distiller Music Publishing and Alternative Songs announce joint venture co-signing of Poppy Baskcomb to worldwide publishing deal
Distiller Music Publishing and Alternative Songs today announce a joint venture co-signing of acclaimed songwriter and artist Poppy Baskcomb to a worldwide publishing agreement. The news arrives as singer-songwriter Poppy Baskcomb celebrates her debut UK Top 40 singles chart hit...more
Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with Rising Star Sienna Spiro
Sony Music Publishing today announced the signing of breakthrough singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro to a global publishing agreement. With a timeless sound, captivating vocals and a gift for cinematic storytelling, Sienna has already made a remarkable impact across the music scene. At...more
Brogeal & Eve Goodman revealed as Scottish & Welsh Ambassadors for the 2026 edition of Independent Venue Week
Falkirk five-piece Brògeal and rising folk singer Eve Goodman will join Nova Twins as artist ambassadors for the 2026 edition of Independent Venue Week. The much-loved nationwide event returns on Monday 26th January, with hundreds of authentic, independently-owned venues around the...more
From Tickets to Takeoff: Gig-Tripping Made Seamless with viagogo and Booking.com
viagogo, the leading global secondary ticketing marketplace, today announced a new partnership with Booking.com, one of the world’s largest travel platforms, to make event-going even more seamless. Through the industry-first partnership, fans purchasing tickets on viagogo can now easily add...more
The Great Escape conference announces collaborators and themes for 20th anniversary edition in 2026
The Great Escape's UK-leading conference is pleased to announce its brand new line-up of industry collaborators and the themes they will delve into at its 20th anniversary edition - from the live industry to artist careers and the next generation...more
Nominees revealed for 2026 BRITs Critics' Choice
SUPPORTED BY BBC RADIO 1 JACOB ALONROSE GRAYSIENNA SPIRO SHORTLIST CONTINUES TO ACT AS A BAROMETER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF BRITISH TALENTWINNER ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY THE BRIT AWARDS 2026 WITH MASTERCARDSATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2026 AT CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER ON ITV The BRIT Awards 2026...more
Scheme supporting BRIT and Mercury Prize-winning artists begins new funding round
£1.6 million Music Export Growth Scheme to support UK artists to go global opens up to applications Funding criteria strengthened and due diligence process beefed up to build on scheme's massive success Scheme has led to an estimated £73.5 million return to...more
Ivors Week returns for 2026 as The Ivors opens for entries and the Academy launches its second Summit
The sixth annual Ivors Week returns to celebrate and empower songwriters with industry events led by The Ivors Academy. The Ivors Academy Summit confirmed for 19 May at BFI IMAX, with exclusive early tickets now on sale. The Ivors with Amazon Music,...more
whynow Music Unveils Exclusive Mick Jagger & Kinks Christmas Merchandise Campaigns
Mick Jagger photographed by Denis O’Regan at Slane Castle, Ireland, just before going on stage – one of the limited-edition fine art Giclée prints available in this newly announced collection whynow Music has announced the launch of an exclusive range of...more
Last Night A DJ Saved My Life unveils 'A Sonic Adventure in Nepal 2026'
Following Sold-Out London Premiere of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough', a documentary of a previous Kilimanjaro expedition, led by electronic artist Nightmares On Wax Sign-up:https://www.thetribeexperience.world/nepal-2026 Dates: 16th - 29th November A global wave of female DJ submissions continues to surge as the charity...more
Twist Digital Entertainment Services Teams Up with Tuned Global to Supercharge Twist Music in MENA
Partnership to support Twist’s expansion into the UAE and Saudi Arabia Twist, a fast-growing digital entertainment platform in MENA, has renewed its partnership with Tuned Global, the leading B2B music technology platform, for another three years. This collaboration powers the next...more
Merlin and Singa Ink Partnership to Bring Thousands of Original Recordings to Karaoke
Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, has partnered with Singa, the leading karaoke technology company, to make thousands of original master recordings available on the platform. This historic deal marks a major leap...more
The club is alive, as JLS joins The O2’s coveted 21 Club
The O2, the world’s most popular live entertainment arena, came alive with the sound of music over the weekend, as JLS returned to the venue for two incredible headline shows as part of their ‘The Club Is Alive: 2025 Hits...more
ESNS festival line-up complete for 40th Edition
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) announces the final 41 artists from all over Europe that will be playing at Eurosonic and Noorderslag. The music showcase festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, taking place from January 14 to 17 in Groningen. The...more
Stars join forces with creative and cultural organisations from across UK and Europe to remove barriers to touring and drive growth
Stars have joined forces with creative and cultural organisations from across the UK and Europe to remove barriers to touring, support cultural exchange and drive growth. They unveiled a major new alliance today called the Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC). Its members...more
THE HEADLINES
Coldplay, U2, Ed Sheeran named most popular touring artists of the millennium (see News)
King Gizzard, having pulled music from Spotify in protest, find genAI clones on the platform (see Digital)
UK parliamentarians join call to regulate most powerful AI systems (see News)
Martin Mills is trying to thwart a record industry takeover by Universal (see Features)
IMPF says members should reject AI deals that do not value songs properly (see News)
Which songs do we replay the most? (see Analysis)
Spotify Wrapped 2025 goes live (see Digital)
Daddy Yankee files lawsuit against former manager and third parties for alleged royalty scheme (see News)
EU touring: Impact of Brexit worsening, says UK Music report (see Reports)
ORCA released a report analysing the economic investments and social impact of nine leading independent record labels (see Reports)
Jorja Smith’s label requests share of royalties from ‘AI-cloned’ song (see News)
A creative nation is a thriving nation (see Opinion)
Australian report also highlights how other non-US English-speaking countries are hit by algorithms (see Reports)
AI slop: Spotify, Tunecore, and credibility (see Comment)
Warner Music signs deal with Suno, settles lawsuit (see News)
