The world’s first music festival for builders will see tradespeople put down their tools and raise the roof for a day of live music, bacon butties and builder’s tea.
Headlined by Dizzee Rascal, a qualified plasterer, Fix Fest is the first event of its kind aimed at trade workers such as brickies, plumbers and sparkies in the building industry.
The festival aims to celebrate the hard work of builders and encourage young people to consider careers in a trade.
Fix Fest was launched by Fix Radio, the fastest growing radio station in the UK, which was made for tradesmen and has more than 700,000 weekly listeners.
Louis Timpany, 32, founder and CEO of Fix Fest and Fix Radio, said “We need more tradespeople — fast. The average age of a builder is now 55, so it’s vital we get more young people looking at the trades as a proper career.”
Dizzee Rascal will be joined by bands including Scouting for Girls, Toploader, the Cuban Brothers and NOASIS.
The headliner told Fix Radio: “I trained as a plasterer during lockdown, so I’ve got real respect for the trades. It takes proper skill and hard graft — and once you’ve got it, you’re set for life.
“Builders and tradies don’t always get the credit they deserve, so I’m buzzing to be part of a brand-new festival that’s celebrating them and shining a light on all their hard work.”
Mr Timpany was inspired to launch Fix Radio in 2017 after working as a labourer on a building site and he created the festival with the hopes of encouraging young people to consider careers in a trade to tackle the UK’s growing skills gap.
Along with live music, and food, there will be eight different trades stands in the Inspirational Zone - ranging from bricklaying to plumbing and electricians – giving festivalgoers the chance to get stuck in and find a new career.
The Power House will feature 10 counsellors, peer supporters to discussing mental health and provide mental wellbeing tips as research reveals those working in the trade industry are susceptible to struggles with their mental health.
Mr Timpany said: “It is going to be a celebration of the very best of British trades – a day where it truly means something to be part of the trade community.
“We have a big perception problem with the trades in the UK. It’s almost as if you have gone into the building trade, you are sort of seen as a failure as schools are so academically driven. But that is just not the case.
“In Europe people in the trades are held in high regard because of their skills, that should be the case here in the UK, it should be seen as an aspirational career path. You can’t build a future without builders!”
The festival will be held at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex on Saturday August 30 - starting at 11am and finishing at 11pm.
Children under 14 go free and there are attractions for them including operating diggers from Diggerland.
Tickets for FixFest, sponsored by Wickes, cost £55 per adult with £110 for VIP entry – more information can be found here.
