The Secret Garden Party is one of the few remaining truly independent music festivals in the UK. The party has grown organically since its inception in 2003 and is celebrated for its focus on creativity, diversity and participation.
Secret Garden Party has exclusively booked independent artists without any headliners this year, providing greater opportunity for emerging talent. This is a positive movement for underground music, as it supports the evolution of the scene and generates income for up-and-coming artists. OnTrax is thrilled by this organic and authentic approach, offering heaps of new music for everyone to experience.
SGP is renowned not only for identifying talent early but also for nurturing it. This year is considered the peak of their efforts. The extensive line up of over 350+ independent and grass roots artists including Unkle (Rōnin Live), Crystal Fighters, Chinchilla, Charlotte Plank, Carly Wilford, Adelphi Music Factory, Jakkob, Omega Nebula, Technobrass, TC & The Groove together with Chai Wallahs, The Living Room, Noiganica independent collectives all hosting dedicated venues that celebrate diverse, grassroots live music. Save Our Scene, Parable Music, Dubtendo and Truth Tribe are amongst a mix of UK based collectives showcasing electronic talent.
Goodluck to SGP this year and to all the artists performing, we’re hoping that the festival continues to evolve & help independent music in its new form and ongoing.
Its magical landscape and attention to detail inspires those that attend, whether attendees, artists or creatives. With no division between on or off stage, the party strongly encourages audience involvement through action camps and immersive entertainment.
Whilst the Secret Garden Party is a playground for the anarchic and irreverent, its core principles run much deeper. The party is a celebration of counter-culture which is open to all. The Secret Garden Party champions equality, diversity and inclusion throughout its community; providing a platform for grass-roots creativity is their mission.
The Secret Garden Party is also a pioneer in festival welfare, having been the first event to introduce front of house drug testing with the Loop. SGP partners with mental health charities and has a very visible and welcoming welfare provision as well as very experienced practitioners on site to provide support for the vulnerable in the SGP family community.
Fred Fellowes SGP Founder highlights
”In today’s world it’s no longer sustainable for independents to run festivals. Creativity is being strangled by corporate greed. In 2025, we’re offering our SGP site to all those festivals that have had to cancel or for stages and collectives that have lost their ‘home’. Let’s work together, we have the space and drive to make sure not all is lost for those independents that drive our scene forward.’’
Charlotte Plank comments
“I’m so excited to be playing my favourite festival in the world! We’ve been coming as a family since you started, my mum brought me first in 2011 when she first discovered this hidden treasure. Having the opportunity to play these past 2 years has been beyond special for us all and a childhood dream come true.”
Off the back of the international festival crisis, this year will mark the end of Secret Garden Party as you know it. The brand sets out to revolutionise the festival model. With a focus on collaboration, Secret Garden Party highlights the need for independents to work together to rebuild and restore the scene. With an alarming number of venues closing and festivals dropping this year, their aim will be to invite other events and promoters for a unified growth.
Saturday night is set to be the pinnacle for the weekend, including the drone show ‘Creativity Unchained’ and ‘That’s ‘Showbiz’, Baby’ spectacle. Together bringing a focused message to inspire, protect and preserve creative expression from the corporate takeover and corruption faced in the music industry.
The Herb Garden at SGP is great if you want to chill out or take some time out to focus on well being
Please check the Herb Garden art work below for details of activities taking place over the weekend
Full Line Up Art Work below:
