An independent festival.
Jazz, soul, electronic and global sounds.
For the people, by the people.
Show of Hands takes place over the weekend of 16-19 July 2027, on a 300-acre organic farm in the heart of Somerset on Gilcombe Farm, just outside Bruton – fifteen minutes from Glastonbury, the birthplace of festivals, in a stretch of Somerset thick with folklore, standing stones and ancient stories. We’re building on that ground, in every sense of the phrase.
Three nights of jazz, soul, global grooves, electronica and forward-thinking dance music is interspersed with hands-on creative and wellness activities and even hot air balloons. All this from sunrise into the early hours.
We believe in having no sponsors, VIP areas, and we prioritise local businesses – we’ll never sell your experience to the highest bidder because that takes away your choice, and that is what we are all about. We run the bars and traders ourselves, so what you eat and drink is local, painstakingly chosen and fairly priced.
The founding moment
Before a single artist was announced, our early community crowdfunded over £28,000 to bring the festival to life. We thank everyone who has donated and stuck with us to make this possible.
Shaped by you
Each year, ticket-holders can propose ideas – activities, traditions, rules, and ways that the festival runs – and vote for their favourites. The most popular become part of the festival’s Lore, for good! From there, it’s our job to work out how to bring them to life.
We began with one Lore: All proposals shall better the festival’s future, its community, or spread joy. Each year, new Lore is written by you, the people – a living record of what this place is becoming.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?
Show of Hands festival is founded by a team of seasoned festival-obsessives, producers and creatives whose experience spans some of the UK’s best-loved independent festivals and cultural projects – including Glastonbury, Green Man, Bestival, Big Chill and Punchdrunk. We’re a new festival, and a deliberately independent one, built to stay small enough that you’re close to the heart of it. Ultimately, it is going to be shaped by all of you.
WHERE IS IT?
Gilcombe Farm, Bruton – 1 hour from Bristol, 2 from London, reachable by both train and bus followed by a short drive or taxi. We’ve got on-site parking and a free drop-off zone. Full details can be found on our FAQs page. Somerset is full of historic folklore and enchanted forests, and it’s the perfect place to get lost for a weekend.
A NOTE ON THE NAME
Show of Hands (the festival) has no affiliation with Show of Hands (the folk band) – we spoke with them directly, and they’ve kindly given their blessing to use the name. We wanted it to reflect a festival truly built for the people, by the people.