NOWADAZE FESTIVAL 2025: PREVIEW

7th of July 2025

What began as a one-off party to celebrate a mate finishing his Master’s Degree has quietly grown into one of the South West’s most beloved grassroots festivals. In case you don’t already know, Nowadaze Festival returns this July with its signature blend of big sound, a cosy festival feel, and serious heart – taking over the fields of Yate, just a short stretch outside of Bristol centre.

Credit - Beth Long, Nowadaze Festival 2024

Founded by long-time friends Kells, Joe, Matt, and Noah, the festival was built on a simple but powerful idea: create a space that’s inclusive, affordable, and full of joy. The team cover anything from art direction to marketing and planning to make sure the festival runs smoothly. “It’s more important than ever to open doors for people from low-income households,” says Kells. “Nowadaze is a hub for expression – music, art, dance, and everything in between.”

Last year, Nowadaze received the Save Our Scene (SoS) Grant, a milestone moment and their first real piece of recognition from the wider industry. “It kind of legitimised what we were doing,” says Joe. “It made us feel like we were on the right track.” Since then, they’ve gone on to collaborate with Minirigs and New Bristol Brewery on a series of creative projects.

Across four carefully curated stages, Nowadaze hosts over 175 artists spanning jungle, jazz, techno, world, metal, and beyond. But it’s not only about genre diversity, it’s about facilitating discovery. “It’s the people that make it,” says Joe. “Otherwise it’s just a field. We want people to stumble on something new and leave feeling inspired.”

Expect the main stage to come alive in the evening with live bands and DJs. The second stage will feature most of the DJ takeovers, powered by the local sound system Riggy Stardust. The third stage at the bar is all about disco and world music, perfect for a boogie with your mates. And the fourth and final stage is the most atmospheric, featuring heavy sounds and powered by Ominous Sound System.

This is a festival run by people who actually go to festivals. Weekend tickets are priced between £65 and £95, including three nights of camping and a full weekend of music. Local vendors keep food and drink prices fair, and there’s no £8 warm cans in sight. “We know what it’s like to weigh up whether you can even afford to go,” Joe says. “It has to be accessible, or what’s the point?”

The Nowadaze ethos is creative, collaborative, and community-driven. From the booze to the production, everything is sourced locally. In 2024, over 37.5% of acts were female or non-binary, and the team are aiming even higher this year, at 40.2%! It's a line up that reflects the ever evolving, creative melting pot of energy that is Bristol.

Credit - Beth Long, Nowadaze Festival 2024

While the UK festival landscape grows more precarious by the year, Nowadaze is proof that grassroots culture is still alive and thriving. “Last year, when the festival ended, no one left a tent behind,” Joe remembers. “No rubbish, no mess. Just respect. That’s when we knew we’d got it right.”

As Matt puts it, “We’ve grown, but we’ve held on tight to that original ethos: a party among friends, just with better sound systems.”

Credit - Leo Visuals, Nowadaze Festival 2024

Nowadaze 2025 takes place from July 17-20 this month.

Tickets are on sale now - and remember: Nobody Dances Alone!

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