FESTIVAL goers will be able to have their say over the line-up at a new Somerset event.
Show of Hands, which is set to take place at Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, between May 22 and 24 next year, is being billed as a “fresh, community-powered festival”.
However launched a crowdfunding appeal in June, the festival has already raised £30,000 in early ticket sales.
Now, Show of Hands has announced a new community-first initiative: a public voting system for everything from non-music programming to its design.
Everyone who buys a ticket can now submit ideas for workshops, activities, experiences and more they would like to see at the inaugural event, as well as voting on others’ suggestions.
The most popular proposals will be brought to life in the final festival line-up.
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From special guests to communal storytelling sessions, pottery for beginners to sunrise yoga with views of Glastonbury Tor, the aim is to create a festival that’s shaped by the audience, said festival director, Alex Lane.
“This is where things get really fun,” Alex said. “Want to run a jazz improv class for beginners? Fancy seeing a dog show hosted by kids? If it fits the spirit of the festival – playful, participatory and people-powered – we’ll put it to a vote. This is about crowd-sourcing joy.”
Tickets are now on sale for sunrise and sunset hot air balloon flights from Gilcombe Farm, the festival site, running each morning and evening, giving a limited number of guests the chance to take to the skies above the Somerset countryside, with panoramic views of the Mendips, the Levels and the iconic silhouette of Glastonbury Tor.
Balloon ride tickets can be purchased alongside a festival ticket over on the Show of Hands website, show-of-hands.net.
Organisers said each ticket sale directly supports the development of the festival and its grassroots model.
“There are no sponsors, no VIP enclosures and no corporate branding at Show of Hands, just a 2,500-capacity creative playground built from the ground up by the people who attend it,” a spokesperson added.
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