The Rise Of The One Day Festival: Slam Dunk, Field Day...

While the greats such as Glastonbury and Coachella will always have us excited for sets from the biggest and best musicians in the world, will all the money and labour at their disposal they could ever need, there is a lot to be said for the ever rising one day festival.

Over the past few years there has been a vast increase in the amount of new festivals in the UK, from two or three day festivals to more independently run one day events. With festivals quickly becoming the favourite summer time past time on the British, these events are more important than ever. Not just for providing us with a source of entertainment and something to get excited about in the long winter months, but as a platform and basis for new bands to be heard and seen by those who matter most; the fans.

Field Day Festival is a perfect example of what a one day festival can become, and do for young acts. Over the last five years the one day music event held in London has played host to Foals, Noah and the Whale, White Lies, Mystery Jets, Florence and the Machine Mumford and Sons and The xx all of whom were at the beginning of their careers when they played. An opportunity to be heard by a whole new arena of fans and industry insiders alike, Field Day Festival has gone from strength to strength and is now in its 5^th year with an even more impressive line-up of big and small bands alike this year.

Another young festival which is doing great things for the music industry is Slam Dunk. Starting in 2006 Slam Dunk Music also holds its own record label and accompanying gigs and club nights in the North of England. Slam Dunk have since moved on to curate their own one day festival, one in the North of England (Leeds) and one in the South (Hertfordshire). Each is a one day event hosting the same bands over a weekend in the different cities. The festival has, like Field Day, featured some amazing acts including Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday, Bring Me The Horizon, Paramore, Anti-Flag and You Me At Six while also providing a platform for new and upcoming acts to play on the same stage as those they aspire to be like.

The one day festival is a true gem within the music industry with a more intimate and accessible line up than those who attract hundreds of thousands each year. With a smaller line up comes more opportunity to discover something new, making these festivals hunting ground for music industry insiders to find the next big thing, especially with the abundance of unsigned acts stages.

An altogether cheaper and more accessible affair, the one day festival can also boast ticket prices one would often pay just to see the headlining act. Offering the chance to see big acts in a smaller arena those in attendance also gain from being to hear and see those they adore, instead of standing behind a 100ft speaker, struggling to decipher which song is playing.

The one day festival is making a head for itself within a sea of colossal five day events that often over take the summer; a small gem that should be well and truly treasured by anybody who has an affinity for music.