If you aren’t aware Cloud 9 Festival is set in the Cheshire countryside and shall feature artists such as Ed Sheeran, The Futureheads and The Sunshine Underground on Saturday 6th August.
This year the festival has partnered with two charities who are going to have their own stages at the event! CALM and Headculture are charities which both campaign to raise awareness of depression in young men in the UK, and strive to provide help and support for those suffering.
We managed to catch up with Cloud 9 Festival Director Hannah Cox to find out more about the festival and this year’s charity involvement.
The festival is titled ‘Cloud 9’, how did you arrive at this name?
There is a big rock formation known in the local area called Cloud 9, so we thought would be a nice name to steal! We also liked the idea of offering a little bit of heaven!
What can you tell us about this years line-up?
We bagged Ed Sheeran last minute and can’t believe how much he has snowballed into a chart topping artist! We are so excited we have him on at such a cheap ticket price! The Futureheads also always produce a great live show. However, half the lineup this year are local acts – after all they are the ones which helped build and support the festival in the first two years – we haven’t forgotten our roots!
Do you believe the festival has something for everyone, or is it pitched at a certain audience?
It’s pitched at people who want to support their local community. I’d like to think that’s everyone.
Why should people attend Cloud 9 Festival?
Because it’s supporting and raising awareness for a good cause (www.thecalmzone.net) We have squeezed as much as we can into the £30 ticket price – over 50 acts along with loads of other stuff – Live Graffiti, Shisha Pipes, Zorbing! It’s all through loads of people doing favours, giving up their free time – its run by a community for a community – and the price and entertainment reflects that.
This year you are working in association with two charities, how did you decide which charities to work with?
We had heard of CALM and after looking at the site we knew it was the charity for us. Offering support and help to young men, we couldn’t believe that the biggest killer of men under 35 was Suicide. One of the strongest messages they got across to us was the fact they ask artists about their RESET moment, the time when they press that imaginary button (or ctrl alt delete) and put the past behind them and move forward in a positive way…
Why did you decide to give each charity their own stage?
Because who’s best to host our event then the charity that will benefit from it? It’s part of all of us!
How important do you believe it is to form a relationship between charities and festivals?
Massively. We are lucky enough to be able to work with two fantastic charities that save lives. We want to continue working with both CLAM and Headculture to improve the facilities they offer and to take the stigma out of a difficult to approach subject through an entertainment platform.
Is there anything else you wish to add?
IT’S ALWAYS FINE ON CLOUD 9 🙂
To find out more about Cloud 9 Festival, you can visit the festival’s website here!
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