Boomtown ‘Revolution of Imagination’

Boomtown, also known as Boomtown Fair, is an annual British music festival held at the Matterley Estate in the South Downs National Park, near Winchester, Hampshire. Originating in 2009, it has been hosted at its current location since 2011. The festival boasts a diverse lineup of bands, DJs, and speakers performing across numerous stages, each part of a district with its own distinct theme. Known as "Chapters," each year's event builds upon the narrative established in previous years, incorporating sets, live actors, and various forms of alternate reality games to engage attendees. The festival grounds are divided into several districts, with the narrative intricately woven into the design of streets, venues, and populated by hundreds of actors portraying inhabitants. The sheer scale of the sets and infrastructure requires six weeks for construction and a month for disassembly.

At its core, Boomtown revolves around a set of core beliefs and principles, notably championing progressive ideals of environmentalism and social equality, encapsulated in its vision code, The Six Pillars of Boomtown.

Operated by Boomtown Festival UK Limited, with partial ownership by Live Nation UK (18%), the festival was initially founded by Bristol-based company directors Chris Rutherford and Luke Marcus 'Lak' Mitchell. In July 2019, Winchester City Council granted organizers a capacity increase, allowing up to 66,000 attendees.

While the capacity increase was slated for implementation in 2020, the event faced cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent editions, including the rebooted 2021 event and a smaller-scale 'Boom Village,' were also cancelled due to pandemic-related challenges, including a lack of insurance support from the British government. However, the festival made its triumphant return in 2022.

Now in its third chapter, titled "Revolution of Imagination," Boomtown transports attendees to a parallel world where vibrant city districts thrive. Featuring 12 main stages, over 50 hidden venues, and thousands of performers, Boomtown promises an unparalleled experience. Each of the eight city districts embodies its own vision for a utopian society, inviting attendees to engage with characters, support causes, and uncover secrets throughout the city.

The festival serves as a dynamic platform for global music, celebrating diverse genres ranging from soundsystem culture to post-punk, reggae, disco, afrobeat, and the underground electronic scene. From jungle to techno, house to hardcore, dub to drum and bass, Boomtown caters to a myriad of musical tastes, ensuring an enriching experience for all attendees.