just had this bulletin on myspace, its a bummer, we applied to play


Uxfest has long been based on some solid and friendly ethics but since its move from Fountains Mill young people’s centre it’s impossible to still have all these ethics in practice. Uxfest was never a commercial festival, financed originally as a training programme for young people, it was never an issue whether it sold out or not, or filling the venue in order to break even – the important part of Uxfest was that the bands and the volunteers were happy and to look after an all ages audience in a safe environment. Tickets were cheap, bands played for free, and because it was a training programme, between 30 and 80 young people worked every year for 6 – 10 weeks to achieve something rather special. CV’s were updated, memories were made and money was raised for charity.

Since Uxfest’s move from Fountains Mill young people’s centre to Islington Academy it has had to become, essentially, commercially viable. But Uxfest is not commercially viable. Bands are chosen for Uxfest for their sound, not the number of people they pull – but unfortunately, this doesn’t work for a central London festival with no financial backing. Especially when headliners are slow to come forward and the overheads are now so big.

We realize that a lot of people will feel let down, especially on the eve of our 10th anniversary – but we cannot compromise what Uxfest should stand for in order to try and make it hold out with commercial ventures. We would have loved to reach 10 years, but we cannot do it without a great line up which will sell tickets, or extra financial backing. If a headline band comes along willing to play for free, our plans may change, but until then Uxfest cannot happen.

We apologize to all the Uxfest fans, and the bands who have sent demos in, believe us when we say that we close with a heavy heart.

- Uxfest will not take place in September this year as advertised, we apologise to all involved, if a solution presents itself we will let you know.

Many thanks for all your support

Talita and the Uxfest crew.
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