A NEW INDEPENDENT FESTIVAL. JAZZ, SOUL, & GLOBAL SOUNDS. BUILT TOGETHER.
Show of Hands is a brand new, independent music and arts festival taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, set on a 300-acre organic farm outside Bruton, in the heart of Somerset.
It’s just 1 hour from Bristol and 2 hours from London; the perfect city-escape of rolling fields, open skies, great music and shared experiences with friends and family.
The festival brings together jazz, soul, global grooves, electronica and forward-thinking club sounds, alongside hands-on creative and wellness activities, and hot air balloons. From sunrise to sunset, we’ve crafted a programme of experiences for music fans and families alike.
There aren’t sponsors or VIPs as we don't believe in selling your experience to the highest bidders. And we run the bars and food traders ourselves to make sure you get the most delicious, local options at reasonable prices, ensuring you never have to look at a luke-warm Carlsberg and sausage again.
A founding moment
2026 is Year One: 2,500 people who will be there at the beginning. Before a single artist was announced, the festival was crowdfunded by our early community, raising over £28,000 to bring it to life.
Shaped by you
We’re building Show of Hands together.
Every year, ticket-holders are invited to propose ideas (such as activities, rules, traditions, or concepts) and vote for their favourites. The proposals with the most votes will become part of the festival, forever. It’s then up to us to work out how to bring them to life. The choice is yours. We begin with one rule:
All proposals shall better the festival’s future, its community, or spread joy.
Show of Hands is created by a team of festival obsessives, producers and creatives whose experience spans some of the UK’s most respected independent festivals and cultural projects: including Glastonbury, Green Man, Bestival, Big Chill and Punchdrunk.
We’re a new festival, but we’re built with experience, we’re deliberately independent, and on a scale that allows you to be close to the performance.
WHERE IS IT?
The festival takes place on Gilcombe Farm, Bruton. It’s just 1 hour from Bristol, and 2 hours from London. It is served by train and bus, followed by a short drive (or taxi!). We have plenty of on-site parking, and a free drop off and pick up zone.
For more information, head to our FAQs.
Show of Hands (the festival) is an independent event and has no affiliation with Show of Hands (the band). We’ve spoken directly with the band, who have offered their blessing for the use of the name. You can view our message together below.
