Increasingly when you say the word “Nibley” to someone they might not look at you blankly, wondering what language you were speaking!

Nibley Music Festival (North Nibley, Gloucestershire, Sat July 7th) is becoming a much loved fixture on the festival circuit. It’s not the biggest, or one that is the most overly hyped – people have got to hear about Nibley through word of mouth and extensive use of social media. Luckily punters actually seem to love Nibley, and are happy to go out of their way to spread the gospel. The reason for that is simple. It hasn’t got a single commercial bone in its body, it’s not funded by a local authority and absolutely everybody that works on producing the festival each year works entirely for free. Any surplus funds that are generated get ploughed into next year or given away to charity.

It is small – deliberately so. This year c.4,000 revellers will turn up for this one day festival and the organisers don’t want it to get any bigger than that. Nibley wants to become the best (very)small music festival in the UK. It could grow – organisers know that the demand for tickets means it could accommodate 10,000 festival goers this year alone but it will stay as it is (small and in many peoples’ eyes, perfect). 

Another thing that differentiates Nibley is the price of a ticket – only £15 for an early bird discount ticket (even the standard adult price is only £20!). The pricing policy is borne of deeply held belief by the organisers that great live music should be accessible to everyone, not just those with deep pockets. Kids entertainment is all free, and Nibley has a strictly enforced fair pricing policy for food and drink – a pint won’t cost you more than in the local pub for example. Everything is done to make the day as affordable as possible. 

Set on England’s second prettiest cricket ground (according to The Daily Telegraph) the site at Nibley is perched high on the Cotswold Edge overlooking the Severn Vale and beyond to The Brecon Beacons. It claims to be “The Friendliest Music Festival” but no-one would dispute it’s probably the prettiest!

So what about the music? This year they boast “The Selecter”, “Dodgy” and “The Christians” who have well over 20 top 40 hits between them. They have “Proud Mary”, lauded by the likes of Noel Gallagher and Kings of Leon, and in “The Roving Crows” they have the band that has just won the best Celtic Folk Rock band at The Irish Music Awards. In total there are 19 acts across the 11 hours of continuous music – an awful lot of bang for your buck!

Although the festival only runs on July 7 th you can camp on Friday and Saturday night for just £15 (both nights!) in a field with yet more stunning views.

If you want to come to the festival then you should book in advance 2012 tickets will be available here from Thursday, 1st March. We expect them to sell out well before the festival, again.There is a limited number of discount tickets – first come, first served.

Discount Adult tickets (ages 18+) £15

Adult tickets (ages 18+) £20

Discount Child tickets (under 18) £6

Child tickets (under 18) £8

Infant tickets (under 4) FREE

Camping tickets (weekend for 1 tent/van) £15

We offer a free ticket to any responsible adult (18+) willing to do a two hour shift to help the day run smoothly.  The slots are filling fast. Available jobs include:

• Steward – helping members of the public
• Working in our craft tent
• Working on the gate
• Working behind the bar

Volunteering is great fun.  The two hour slot goes incredibly quickly because you are part of the team and you can still take in the festival atmosphere.

To apply to volunteer please use the form below. Application does not guarantee acceptance. Successful applicants will be notified via email and contacted again approximately a week before the festival and may be asked to attend a briefing. If you have further questions please email [email protected].

Nibley – an exclusive party everyone can afford (but can’t afford to miss!)