WITH GlastonBARRY 2024 kicking off next month the festival has shared 11 behind the scenes facts and insights in the run up to Barry's favourite event of the summer.
What started as a "silly idea" between two mates to put on some tribute gigs in the MEMO theatre has become the local event of the year with 18,000 people passing through Romilly Park over the July weekend.
From Friday 26th - Sunday 28th tribute artists will be performing as Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, George Ezra, Foo Fighters, Tina Turner, Arctic Monkeys, ABBA, Bon Jovi, Blur, Whitney Houston for audiences at Romilly Park, Barry. Tickets are available now.
As 2024 will be the 11th year of GlastonBARRY, founders at Mack Events LTD have shared 11 behind the scenes facts.
GlastonBARRY behind the scenes facts
1. The maximum capacity of the festival is 6999 people per day.
2. Tickets have been sold all around the world with groups travelling each year from all over the UK, across Europe and even Canada, Australia and America.
3. Using the event economic impact calculator (https://www.eventimpacts.com/calculator) it is estimated that GlastonBARRY brings in around £1.8m each year to the local economy, with hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes, taxis and other businesses reaping the rewards of an influx of people into the town.
4. Last year there was only one incident reported to the police over the entire GlastonBARRY weekend for a missing camping chair.
Sergeant Mark Jones said: "To have the only crime recorded as a theft of camping chairs is unheard of! I am sure Glastonbury is a very different crime report (all be it much bigger). Even so what the GlastonBARRY team achieved is something to be proud of."
5. In 2014 the whole festival took place inside what has now become the VIP tent. That's the stage, bar and everyone attending inside the one tent.
6. The GlastonBARRY acts are the best in the business, some of them tour the world, some have performed for royalty and some have won many awards.
7. GlastonBARRY Juniors is in its fourth year. The family fun event on the Friday before the adults only weekend isn't just a music event. Now it will be offering free workshops, a gaming van, tiny tots disco, mascots, rides, stalls and games. It's grown from a 2000 capacity event to 6000 capacity event in the past 2 years.
8. GlastonBARRY is a very special place for one couple from Barry, Matthew and Emma Escott. It was the place where they had their first date. Seven years later, they are happily married. They won a competition for the best GlastonBARRY story
Matthew said:"Glastonbarry Festival holds a special place in mine and Emma’s hearts. I want to say my great jokes are the glue that keeps us together, however, we both know that it is the love we have for tribute acts! We have been back every year since and have loved watching it develop into the festival it is today. We can’t wait for the festival this year!"
9. GlastonBARRY run a 'Search for a Star' competition each year in partnership with BRO RADIO for local talented singers and rappers (in both Welsh and English). The winner of the competition gets to perform at GlastonBARRY Juniors in front of of a crowd of up to 6000!
10. The team behind GlastonBARRY Festival started a Community Interest Company in 2022 - COMETCIC.com. This not for profit organisation exists to put on events and workshops that benefit the town.
GlastonBARRY Fringe Festival took place earlier this month across a number of venues in Barry. A free family fun day and the live final of Search for a Star took place at Central Park on June 8th.
11. The site collects around 10 tonnes of rubbish over the weekend and much of that is recycled via the Vale of Glamorgan council refuse team.
Sustainability has also become a key focus this year: all ticketing and correspondence is now digital, plastic banners and signage have been swapped for digital artwork and the bar is now stocked with recyclable biodegradable plastic cups and lids.
Based in the picturesque Romilly Park, GlastonBARRY welcomes up to 7000 visitors a day. This fun and friendly festival features some of the best tribute acts on the circuit in the UK.
The festival offers two main stages (one inside the big top and one outside in the field), a licensed bar and food court with a wide range of food and drink on offer, DJs, stalls and other activities.
You can get tickets here: Glastonbarry.com/buy-tickets.
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