About

SONIC BOOM MUSIC FESTIVAL is an independent festival produced by not-for-profit Sonic Boom Music CIC in partnership with East Staffs Borough Council and Burton Music Collective and supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

It began in 2023 with a month long celebration of new music and the Burton Music Collective was formed - over 50 artists got involved, thousands of new music fans came out to shows, we even welcomed fans from America - we had Folk, Rock, Ska, Indie, Metal, Pop, Bangladeshi Ragas and Psychedelic Prog. Every gig was put on with the focus on new and emerging artists - all but one event sold out.

In 2024, the first Sonic Boom Festival brought over 6000 music fans to town. Chris Hawkins (BBC Radio 6 Music) hosted our Main Stage, the K’s headlined, with outstanding performances from Nubiyan Twist, DECO, Divorce, Girlband! Eighty Eight Miles and The Public Eye. The event set the standard for an independent town centre festival, curated by the local music scene, dedicated to championing new music, with production on a level with national festivals.

Sonic Boom Festival is just the start of a bigger mission - we’re building opportunities with our TURBO training programme for 16-25 year olds, and we’re laying the foundations for a permanent, high-quality live room to attract national touring artists, welcoming all community, a sanctuary celebrating diversity and inclusivity, and propelling new talent with support, training, networking and mentoring opportunities.

WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF MUSIC TO CHANGE A TOWN.