Introduce yourself, who exactly is Freddie Fellowes?
The person who’s fault all this is…
What first inspired you to become an experiential event curator?
It seemed a good way to avoid getting a real job
What is a head gardener?
A moderately nicer title when compared to Founder/CEO….with a nice double meaning
How did the latest Secret Garden Party theme come about?
It pretty much wrote itself – the independent scene is at risk from every angle and so in order to survive we are going back to our roots and concentrating on what we can do better than the multinationals that are taking over our scene: intimate fun, grassroots championing of talent in the counterculture
This is a key annual event for so many people, tell us more about the vibe behind it.
It’s about gathering like minds and celebrating life and the wonderful creativity in it
What’s your ideal vision for the Secret Garden Party community?
That what they learn in the garden they take out into the world
Tell us more about the Family and wellness variation you have following SGP this year.
It’s simply a chance for families to come and camp on our beautiful land for a week, enjoy the woods, the gardens, the wild swimming whilst also having the chance to go a little feral!
When it comes to artists and dream performances, you’ve already hosted so many. What could possibly trump that?
What we have planned for Saturday night of SGP!
What’s been your favourite SGP moment or memory to date?
In twenty years of SGP that’s too hard a question to answer – but I think I’mm most proud of pioneering public access drugs testing – But sadly this harm reduction strategy has since been quashed by our government.
If someone just discovered SGP what should they expect from the overall experience?
The unexpected?
Do you play an instrument or are you musically inclined?
I can’t sing, I was never good enough at an instrument to even be allowed to take my grade one and so I DJ; but it’s probably more accurate to call me a selector
Outside of music, what else makes you tick?
Art and making things
You’ve produced lots of incredible events and achieved mixed success in the past, how does this influence your current vision for the future?
Well I suppose I would first ponder on what mixed success means
What would be your perfect collaboration or project to undertake next?
Who knows, best to get this year’s perfect collaboration out the way before thinking about that
Talk us through your creative process….
Ideas come at all sorts of times I then talk it over with friends late at night until it takes shape
Your SGP socials hint that SGP is full of character, highly creative and loves to explore the lighter side of life… tell us more
I think that says it all – this is done for the love of it, not the fame and certainly not the money – we are on the side of the angels and there aren’t enough of us who are
What’s a story from behind the scenes we may not know already?
You’d be amazed by the competition’s attempts to take us down.. But then again maybe not
If you had a famous quote that explains the current industry what would it be?
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”
We’ve heard the reference to Marmite in relation to SGP, what does this suggest?
In the words of Ken Kesey – You’re either on the bus or off the bus
You’ve gained support from a lot of heavyweight artists, musicians, performers and DJ’s historically, what’s your takeaway from this?
They love a good party that comes from a good place
Do you have any weaknesses you’re actively trying to improve?
My patience for dumb arse questions
From documentary to artwork you have a style that’s unparalleled. Is this natural or a well thought out plan?
It’s a naturally well thought out plan
What is it about music that excites you most?
That’s a really really odd question!
Give us 3 of your favourite songs, past or present…
No. Condensing down centuries of talent to a pop list is beyond reductionist, it’s facile
What advice would you pass onto younger generations?
Never underestimate what you can do with dry socks
What’s the best piece of advice another person ever gave you?
Get a good accountant
Creatives are often great Chefs. Is this the case for you?
Yes
Favourite food and how it makes you feel…
Anything I have cooked with my wife. – proud
Clothes maketh the man… sounds materialistic but are you into fashion?
No but I do like to pay attention to what I wear as that is how people make their first impression of you – so you either play that game or you don’t.
Is anarchy alive today and in what form does it appear in the UK?
Yes. In the people who are refusing to let their culture be co-opted by corporations
The SGP team seem like a tight knit family, is this true and any unsung heroes we should know about?
Everyone who works on the party and doesn’t get the attention I do is an unsung hero
Any other projects in the pipeline that we should know about?
They are all secret
Open plug, why should attend Secret Garden Party : Roots Edition in 2024
Because we are the largest truly independent, un-sponsored heartfelt gathering of music and art left in the UK…
