SOUTHEND’S newest music festival has been nominated for three national awards after its inaugural year as organises promise to put the city “on the map”.
The trio behind Southend’s Lazydays Festival – Elliot Waters, Andy Williamson and Mike Bromfield – held their first event from July 26 to July 28, welcoming 5,500 festivalgoers to Priory Park.
Now the trio are calling on those who loved their time at the festival to support them at this years fan vote for the UK Festival Awards, in the “best new”, “best small” and “best grassroots” festival categories.
The winner will be crowned in Bristol on December 3 after voting closes on October 18.
Festival director, Mike Bromfield, believes winning any of the awards would be a “massive deal” for the team, as well as boosting Southend.
He said: “We poured thousands of hours into making something from scratch, based on our experiences at other festivals and we created what we wanted and made a community that supports independent business and upcoming acts.
“To be nominated is just fantastic but for us, being three people from Southend, we have great ambitions not just for this year but for the future.
“We are also so proud of the city where we come from and it wouldn’t just be great for us, it would be great for Southend to be the host of an award-winning festival.”
The 2024 festival lineup included the Hoosiers, Craig Charles, David Rodigan, Sundara Karma, Newton Faulkner, Mystery Jets, the Futureheads and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
Mike added: “We’re in three incredibly competitive categories.
“When counted, votes are weighted based on the number of attendees before the shortlist is announced and the final winner is crowned in Bristol on 3 December, so every vote absolutely counts.
“It would mean the world to us to win and put Southend on the map for UK festivals, so vote now and show your love for Southend’s newest independent event”
Ahead of its first 2025 lineup announcement, “super-early bird tickets” for July 25 to 27 2025 have gone on sale.
To cast your vote, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UKFA24
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