Splendour Festival’s decision to expand its capacity looks to have paid off in style after organisers said they expect the event to sell-out two days before the gates open.
Nottingham’s showcase music event has room for 25,000 people this year – up 4,000 on 2016 – and making it the biggest Splendour ever.
Saturday’s festival at Wollaton Park will be headlined by Kaiser Chiefs, with Billy Ocean, Busted and Nottinghamshire singer-songwriter Georgie also on the bill.
“It’s been great every year that we seem to get those capacity numbers”, said George Akins, managing director of live music company DHP Family and in charge of the festival.
“We said ‘let’s increase it again’ – and now we’ve only got about 1,300 tickets left [as of Wednesday lunchtime] I think the sell-out will come tomorrow.”
Five stages, a funfair, kids area, food and drink stands all make up the site in the setting of Wollaton Hall and park.
People from across the East Midlands travel to the one-day festival, which is now in its ninth year.
As of Wednesday, the Met Office is predicting a dry start to Saturday, with a 40 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon.
But Mr Akins says he never loses any sleep over the notorious British weather.
“People will come and enjoy it come rain or shine,” he added.
“People need to be prepared if it looks wet on the day, but touch wood we’ve never had it that bad. Plus Wollaton is built on clay so the drainage is incredible.”
Extra security is in place this year following Government advice in the wake of the London and Manchester terror attacks.
All bags will be searched on entry, replacing a random bag search policy, although organisers hope long queues will be avoided by an increase in staff on the gate.
“We’ve got 24 searching lanes, which is an additional eight lanes,” added Mr Akins.
“And there are also lanes allocated for a quick fast track for those with things like bum bags or no bags.”
Security bollards have also been installed at some entrances this yea,r to prevent any vehicle-led attack, in line with events around the country and similar measures installed on Trent Bridge ahead of England’s test match against South Africa.
Festival gates open at 11.30am and acts start at midday on Saturday.
