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In 2013, Matt Blumberg initiated the tribute festival GlastonBarry to create a positive and joyous event for his hometown of Barry, Wales.
What began as a local festival with 500 attendees has transformed into a three-day event attracting 18,000 participants. “It started as a community initiative and a fun experience, and it quickly escalated into something massive. It’s crazy,” said the former primary school teacher.
GlastonBarry, a play on Glastonbury, is among over 30 outdoor tribute festivals that have surged in popularity across the UK. Other notable events include Glastonbudget, Tribfest, and Big Fake Festival, featuring tribute acts like Oasish, Antarctic Monkeys, Coldplace, Badness, the Fillers, Stereotonics, and Blondied.
The Entertainment Agents Association (TEAA) reports that ticket sales for tribute festivals have been “on the rise” in the last five years.
“These events have experienced substantial growth, with some festivals relocating to larger venues due to their increasing popularity,” stated Paul Winteridge, the immediate past president of TEAA.
This week, Steps’ Ian “H” Watkins had to rename his Cowbridge tribute festival, Cowchella—where acts like Harry Styled UK and Got to be Taylor Swift are set to perform—after receiving an official complaint from the organizers of the iconic California event.
Watkins expressed that he sees it as a “huge compliment that they consider our little festival a threat to their enormous, powerful brand.”
Winteridge explained that escalating concert costs contribute to the rising appeal of tribute events, especially amid a cost-of-living crisis. There’s also a nostalgia factor and accessibility for families.
At GlastonBarry, weekend tickets are priced at £65, making it an excellent deal, according to Blumberg, who co-founded Mack Events with his cousin, a former aeronautical engineer. “We offer 22 performances over two days, ensuring there’s literally something for everyone, from Eminem to Bad Manners.
“Many acts we invite, like Queen, Bob Marley, or George Michael, pay tribute to iconic artists you’ll never see live again. We keep it lighthearted and even encourage fancy dress. We attract numerous hen dos and stag dos, as well as families bringing their kids.”
Although tribute acts have existed since the 1960s, technological advancements in lighting, stage makeup, and sound have enhanced their authenticity.
Some tribute acts, such as the Bootleg Beatles and Björn Again, have become significant brands themselves, having celebrated Abba’s legacy longer than the band itself existed.
“In the early days, we often heard: ‘Why would you want to see impersonators? Book real artists,’” Blumberg recalled. “But that perception is shifting.
“Some of the bands we feature are genuinely astonishing, like Oasish. I’ve seen the real Oasis several times, and Liam Gallagher once stormed off stage without returning. The tribute acts focus on crowd-pleasers, and they keep the audience singing along.”
Oasish, formed in 2004, was recognized as the UK’s official No 1 Oasis tribute band by TEAA. Paul Higginson, who portrays Liam Gallagher, has been performing in tribute bands since 1999, starting as Kelly Jones in Stereotonics.
“We play 80 to 90 gigs each year,” Higginson noted. “It feels as natural as breathing. When I don the wig and parka and step onto the stage, my posture changes; the swagger comes naturally.”
Higginson likened his performance to acting on a West End stage. “You embody your character and perform your lines. I leave the character at the venue.”
The band was even invited to perform at Wembley Stadium during the 2013 FA Cup Final featuring Manchester City against Wigan. “We performed in the hospitality area. I was singing Wonderwall when both Noel and Liam Gallagher approached and started clapping and cheering from the escalator.”
Higginson shared that the difficulty in obtaining tickets for Oasis reunion concerts has boosted interest in his band. “We frequently hear: ‘We couldn’t score tickets to see Oasis, so we’ll catch Oasish instead.’”
Ed Faulkner, a member of Beautiful Couch (a Beautiful South tribute band), began Tribfest in 2007, one of the first tribute festivals in the UK, viewing it as a “huge risk.”
“Complicating matters, that year Hull experienced severe flooding, leaving us waist-deep in water. We incurred significant losses, but I had a vision.”
Within a few years, Faulkner’s dedication began to yield results. “We’ve witnessed steady growth in ticket sales over the years. We’re licensed for 5,000 attendees and hosted around 4,500 last year,” he mentioned.
“We maintain control over elements that other festivals struggle with, like toilets, showers, and security. Many families choose us for that reason; they prefer our festival over Leeds, where chaos often ensues with tents being set ablaze.”
If Glastonbury represents the Waitrose of music festivals, Faulkner remarked, “then we’re akin to Lidl. My daughter Dempsey, who assists in organizing the event, and I like to think of ourselves as the Michael and Emily Eavis of the north.”
Faulkner also praised the caliber of contemporary tribute acts. “Attendees are consistently amazed when they see them. It’s as if they’ve landed on the moon.”
“I recall having a Muse tribute band from Holland, who were used to smaller venues in Amsterdam, and the lead singer came off stage in awe, exclaiming: ‘Wow, this feels like our Olympic Games.’”
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