Tiny secret festivals are the ultimate underground party – where the guest list is smaller than a London tube carriage and the dress code is wilder than Wimbledon's royal box. In this exclusive world, anything goes: from donning Easter baskets on your head to take part in a sumo wrestling battle royale, to letting your hair down (literally) with friends you've known since school. These alternative events are gaining momentum as festival-goers seek an antidote to the commercialism of the mainstream.
According to John Rostron, founder of the Association of Independent Festivals, these hidden gems started life as nothing more than mates' get-togethers in quirky venues – think barns and down-at-heel mansions. As word gets out, they're snowballing into annual events that are fast becoming the go-to for those seeking a more authentic experience.
Take Green Man, for example – which began as a simple bash in Wales to bring friends together and has since grown to welcome 25,000 revellers. 'It started with just a handful of mates getting together,' says Rostron. 'Now it's one of the biggest festivals in the land.'
One such secretive soiree is Swansea's Killer Wales, which attracts around 70 party animals each year. Organiser Alex explains that his festival is all about creating a community – rather than simply another hedonistic bash. 'We offer a more positive way for people to meet and make friends,' he says.
The event features a range of zany activities, including the aforementioned sumo wrestling competition (where losing involves an egg-stravagant forfeit!). Partner-in-crime Yas adds: 'It's not just about getting messy – it's about making memories.'
These underground events may not boast the same level of profile as Glastonbury, but they offer a refreshing alternative for those looking to escape the mainstream. As Rostron puts it: 'Not everyone wants to rock up in their Dyson-activated tent and join the masses. Sometimes it's better to keep it small and make it count.'