DIY grassroots event Manchester Punk Festival has scooped the top honour for small festivals in the UK at the UK Festival Awards.
The Manchester-based promoters behind the festival have built their reputation over 10 years, bringing bands and punters from around the world to watch over 140 punk bands every Easter in venues across the city.
The ‘Best Small Festival’ nominations are taken from online votes with a panel deciding the final winner. The local winners were up against much larger contenders, such as Beat Herder and RADAR Festival.
MPF was born from the ideas of three underground promoters in the city: TNSrecords, Moving North and Anarchistic Undertones. They realised there was a call for an event to bring together the different communities around the city, each with their slightly different take on punk music.
Now, selling out each year and sprawling across venues through the city centre, the festival brings more than just music. This year saw a sober meet up and live podcasting, as well as local vegan food stalls and a comedy stage.
Planning and running the festival alongside their day jobs, the small team relies on an army of volunteers to bring everything together each year.
Winning the Best Small Festival award is a huge moment for all of them, recognising the work that has gone in to create a safe and welcoming space for bands and music lovers alike.
Tim Bevington from Manchester Punk Festival said: “We’re absolutely blown away to win the Best Small Festival award.
“A massive thank you to everyone that voted for MPF. We started when a group of DIY punk fans formed a collective. We remain independent, non-sponsored and completely volunteer run. To be recognised at the UK Festival Awards is absolutely ridiculous.”
MPF will see headline sets from The Menzingers, Dillinger Four and Strung Out, with more than 100 other bands set to take the stage over the three-day weekend from 18-20 April.
There are less than 40 per cent of tickets remaining. View the full line-up and secure your tickets HERE.
