Cancelling 2027 festival 'not an easy decision'

Organisers of a family music festival say the 2026 event will be "a year to remember" after announcing it may not continue due to financial reasons.

The Wrde Up festival has been held in Highworth near Swindon, Wiltshire since 2013 and is known for its tribute acts.

Fandangos, which began running the event three years ago, announced on Facebook "we have made the difficult decision that Wrde Up will not be taking place in 2027", adding it was unsure if it would return the following year.

Tom Falding, the festival director, said it was not "an easy decision" to cancel next year's event but made it clear this year's festival will still go ahead in July.

Falding said Fandangos was losing money by putting resources into the festival - a situation echoed across the West.

"I think this is a common message you're hearing across the UK at the moment, especially with these smaller independent festivals.

"We're really battling to get ticket sales and the cost of everything rises and, ultimately, the only way to combat those costs are to pass all of them on to the attendees and I don't feel comfortable raising this price too much," he added.

The first Wrde Up Music Festival was held in 2013 at Highworth's Lower Rec as a celebration for Highworth Junior Football Club after the team won a regional award.

It returned the following year under the name "Higworts".

In 2015, WrdeUp was used for the festival, with Wrde coming from the first recorded name for Highworth in 1086.

Julie Murphy, current mayor of Highworth, said the event was "really important" for the town.

She added: "I would absolutely love to see it return after 2027 and would be disappointed to see it go.

"It also gives local artists the chance to perform."

James Hanson is head of music at Warneford School, and says the festival "has always supported young musicians".

He added "In addition to this, the organisers of the festival provided amazing DJ workshops in the school in 2024 which allowed young and upcoming DJs the opportunity to grow and develop alongside professionals and also perform at the festival."

This year's Wrde Up Music Festival will be held on 3 and 4 July and features acts like Greenday tribute 'Green Haze', a Chappell Roan tribute and ska band the Skadinals.

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