Barclaycard extends Live Nation UK partnership
Barclaycard is expanding its UK festival presence having been named as the new headline partner of Latitude and the Isle of Wight festival.
The global payment business has renewed its partnership with Live Nation UK. Latitude and the Isle of Wight Festival will now be known as Barclaycard presents the Isle of Wight Festival and Barclaycard presents Latitude. The five-year extension with Live Nation UK also includes partnerships with festivals across all regions of the UK, from The Great Escape Festival, Download and Lytham Festival to Camp Bestival, Reading and Leeds and more.
The partnership sees the return of the Amp Stage, which will host a programme of secret sets at key festival sites. Fans will be given digital clues to guess the line-up in anticipation of the big reveal on the day. In addition, Barclaycard customers will have access to event pre-sales, on-site perks, and exclusive bars – cementing Barclaycard’s leading entertainment offering, dialling up live music moments and giving customers access to the country’s most popular live events all year round.
Returning as an official partner for Download, Camp Bestival Dorset and Camp Bestival Shropshire, Barclaycard adds The Great Escape, The Great Escape First Fifty, Scarborough Open Air Theatre, The Piece Hall and Lytham Festival to its list of official partnerships, while also returning as Access Partner for Reading and Leeds and Wireless Festival.
Barclaycard also announces the launch of two bursary programmes as a part of its ongoing commitment to supporting people’s career development, whether they’re entrepreneurs, small business owners, or musicians. As live music and food go hand in hand for festival fans, the new programmes will focus on supporting emerging artists and up-and-coming chefs and caterers. The programme funds will be awarded annually to five artists and five emerging food businesses to help them adapt and prepare for their future as they transition into the next phase of their careers. Each recipient will receive funding, business advice and mentorship from the industry’s most experienced professionals.
Dan Mathieson, head of sponsorship at Barclaycard, said: “We are delighted to be renewing our long-standing partnership with Live Nation, cementing our support for the UK’s incredible music scene, and giving our customers even more opportunities to benefit from using their Barclaycard. At the same time, I’m also really proud to be announcing two new community programmes that will help accelerate the music and food stars of the future.”
Caroline Giddings, director, the Isle of Wight Festival, said: “We’re looking forward to working with the Barclaycard team to enhance the Isle of Wight Festival experience for our fans. Each year we look to take this historic festival to the next level and having the support of partners like Barclaycard allows us to do just that. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the island in June.”
Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, said: “Partnering with Barclaycard across Latitude will add immense value to our incredibly vibrant festival and helps us meet our audience’s ever-improving standards. With this partnership, Barclaycard is supporting the arts, community and entrepreneurialism through new food and artist programmes – all of which are key themes for Latitude. We welcome them to the festival and look forward to the perks and surprises their team will share with our attendees on-site.”
Jim Campling, president of Live Nation UK’s partnership division, said: “Barclaycard has been a huge supporter and champion of live music and a partner of Live Nation UK for over 15 years. This exciting new phase of our partnership will not only allow Barclaycard Entertainment to continue to engage their audiences and amplify the fan experience but will also enable us to work together to support the next generation of artists and inspirational food stars at the beginning of their careers.”