Interview With SOS Festival Organizer Lynne Appleton
Interview With SOS Festival Organizer Lynne AppletonConducted by Pixie
Get ready to rock as the North West’s premier independent rock and metal festival returns for another electrifying weekend in 2027!
SOS Festival takes over Whittles in Oldham Manchester to deliver a massive punch of high-energy performances, showcasing a powerhouse lineup of both legendary heavy metal icons and the absolute best of the rising underground scene.
Whether you’re a die-hard metalhead or a casual fan of blistering guitar riffs and pounding drums, this community-driven festival offers an unbeatable, up-close-and-personal live music experience.
Grab your friends, join the ultimate celebration of heavy sounds, and witness the unstoppable spirit of modern rock right in the heart of Manchester.
Organiser Lynne pops by Ever Metal HQ for a chat about all things SOS Fest based.
Thanks for stopping by and chatting with us today!
What is the future vision for running one of the North’s premier independent rock and metal events?
Thank you for the invite. The future seems bright for SOS Festival. However, we always seem to clash with a major legacy artist touring in July, so I do feel a bit anxious whenever that happens.
How has the festival successfully navigated the post-pandemic economic landscape to keep ticket prices accessible for fans?
We had to take two years off to navigate the pandemic because the council closed the venue we were using at the time. However, we found Whittles in Oldham to be the perfect setting for SOS Festival, especially with its excellent indoor and outdoor areas. We keep our ticket prices low and accessible so that most people can afford to attend, even if it’s just for a single day. It is incredibly heartwarming to see families returning year after year, and children under 10 can attend for free.
How do you go about the selection process for balancing legendary classic metal acts with up-and-coming grassroots talent?
We have a dedicated group of SOS Festival regulars and crew members who have a fantastic ear and eye for great music. Smoke signals are sent out, and bookings are sealed! I receive over 2,000 emails in my inbox throughout the year directly from bands and agents. We listen to every single one of them and narrow them down into shortlists.
How do you go about scheduling performances, setup, and teardown times for vendors and stages?
We usually select the headliners for a one-hour set and then work backwards from there. The undercard bands are given a 40-minute set each, with dedicated gaps left for stage changeovers while we alternate between the stages. Setup takes a couple of days and is handled by our crew, who work tirelessly to pull it all together.
Do you have quite an extensive team to coordinate all the logistics of the festival to ensure it all runs smoothly?
We have a phenomenal crew, many of whom have been with us right from the festival’s very inception.
How do you foster such a famously inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere within an inherently heavy genre?
SOS Festival has always been an event for absolutely everyone—all ages, all genres, and no exclusions. It’s a beautifully eclectic festival with a welcoming atmosphere and a little something for everyone.
What are your long-term ambitions for the festival’s growth at its current venue?
My main hope is that we have another highly successful year ahead of us, and that the sun shines bright on the venue!”
What advice do you have for aspiring promoters trying to build a sustainable rock festival in today’s challenging live music climate?
My advice would be to start small with a one-day event, test the waters, and see how it goes from there.
Finally, which band that hasn’t played previously would you love to book for the festival?
Mmm, that’s a tough one as there are several! I really like Blossoms from Stockport. We almost booked Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons previously, but they were outside of budget by a country Mile! Sadly that will never happen now. Airbourne from Australia and The Virginmarys are also right at the top of my wishlist.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with is today at Ever Metal!
Thankyou!
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