Jim Whewell

Director of Secret Productions

A chance encounter with a university reject who could sell sand to the peoples of Arabia, known in my industry as 'a promoter', led me incrementally into the world of festival organization. Its been a long trip (sometimes literally), and this opportunity to blog gives me a chance to recall some of the highlights and explain why festivals are less a job, more a crusade...

Todd Cochran

Managing Editor of TheDumbingofAmerica.net

With the rapid growth in the popularity of psych rock, thanks to bands like The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Black Angels, this years edition of the Austin Psych Fest at the end of April is set up for it's biggest year.

Rebecca Williams

London-based journalist who loves to eat and travel and write about it in her spare time

The Dîner des Grands Chefs is in its third year, first they took their knives and expertise to the Château de Versailles, last year it was Gotham Hall in New York. Just 600 places are up for grabs as the former fish market on the banks of the Thames, Old Billingsgate, is transformed into 'theatre of food'.

Carly Wilford

TV presenter and creator of IAmMusic.TV

Something about the music industry gives you the ability to find energy even when you're running on empty. Reminiscing about the night before always makes you realise just how magical some of your experiences can be.

Theodora Clarke

Lecturer and commentator

London's City Hall will play host over the next two weeks to a selection of surprising and unexpected views of Russian architectural landscapes. 'Abstraction/Constructivism: British and Russian Responses to the City' documents urban life from both British and Russian perspectives.

Geoff Ellis

CEO of DF Concerts and Events, Scotland’s top concert and event organisers, owners of King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and organisers of T in the Park

Festivals have changed dramatically in this time - when the first T in the Park took place in 1994 the only other UK festivals were Glastonbury, Reading and WOMAD - now there are literally hundreds all over the country and they have gone from just being a place where you watch bands outdoors, to an entire four day experience or a long weekend away.

Vicky Dean

A horse-riding, poem-writing internet based project manager

For most people drinking a cold beer, going to the cinema or playing a sport is how they relax after a hard day at work. However, there are those out ...

Jack Pelling

Freelance film critic, writer and broadcaster. Editor of CelluloidHeroes.co.uk

I got the chance to speak to Richard about how he uses the internet as a medium for comedy and how it has changed the way people make us laugh.

Alex Hoban

Co-Director of NKNEWS.org, International Journalist and Copywriter based between London, Moscow and Beijing

Hong Kong has always held itself in high esteem as Asia's beating financial and commercial heart, but Clockenflap, a music and arts festival that's managed to stake out its territory on the banks of Victoria harbour overlooking Hong Kong's famous skyline, is rallying against everything corporate and clean-cut in the region.

Tess Acheson

Tess runs Secret Arts, an art foundation born from the curation department of Secret Garden Party

Rosie's ever whirling and occupied mind was, in many ways, the epicenter of this project. She is clearly a curatorial force when it comes to performance and her attention to detail, to atmosphere and to immersive-ness was truly inspiring.

Tim Burgess

Solo performer and lead singer with The Charlatans

DJ Yoda, Maximo Park, James and the Inspiral Carpets stopped by for a cuppa. We said we'd close at 10pm each night but things were still swinging at 3am the next morning. Nick Heyward was a revelation - we only knew him from Twitter - and he brought about an amazing singalong that 250 people crammed into a log cabin will never forget.

Lara Baker

Organiser of the AIM Independent Music Awards

Since starting to work on the AIM Independent Music Awards a couple of years ago, it hasn't escaped my attention that every time a list of music award nominees is published, a large-scale debate and healthy amount of criticism and cynicism inevitably follows. I suspect this is because of the subjective nature of music; the concept of judging it is arguably flawed.

Wendy Wason

Writer, comedian and world class procrastinator

Last weekend I was thrown into a fresh new hell. I'm in my late 30s. On my way to a music festival in my 20s I would have thought about my three-day-wardrobe for weeks. In my late 30s with three kids to look after, it only occurred to me as I was packing.

Alex Fleetwood

Founder and Director of Hide&Seek, a game design studio based in London.

Game culture is everywhere - on our phones, in our living rooms, and on our movie screens, though we have yet to see games played out in public, in our cities or on our high streets. There are playgrounds, where children can play on their own, and there are betting shops, where adult players can gamble, but an immersive space where kids and adults can mingle through play?

Hanna Flint

Journalist and Radio Producer

On the Friday, for those of you who can't wait for your favourite Marvel-inspired rapper's new production then you might enjoy the chance to join DOOM on stage.

Georgia LA

Broadcaster, writer, cultural commentator and girl about town

Festivals. It's what we do best. A chance for us Brits to display our eccentricity come rain or shine - and we really don't mind rain.