Local & Live
Active Digital is thrilled to announce its role as a headline sponsor for the 2026 Local & Live Festival in Tunbridge Wells, one of the region’s most celebrated cultural events. Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Local & Live has become a cornerstone of the town’s creative calendar, bringing together thousands of music lovers, artists, and community members for a vibrant, four-day celebration of live music.
For Active Digital, this partnership is about far more than sponsorship, it is about supporting a community-driven event that reflects the same values of creativity, collaboration, and local pride that sit at the heart of the business.
What is Local & Live
Local & Live is a unique, free music festival held annually in Calverley Grounds in Royal Tunbridge Wells. It showcases the very best of local original music, offering a platform for emerging artists to perform in front of large, enthusiastic audiences.
Now widely recognised as a highlight of the regional events calendar, the festival has grown significantly since its early days on the Pantiles bandstand. Today, it spans multiple stages and venues across the town, while still maintaining its grassroots ethos and commitment to supporting local talent. More than just a festival, Local & Live is also a registered charity with a mission to nurture and promote local music and culture. Through events held throughout the year, it continues to provide opportunities for artists to develop, perform, and connect with new audiences.
A Personal Connection
This year’s sponsorship is particularly meaningful for Active Digital thanks to the long-standing friendship between Richard and Jo, co-owners of the company, and Local & Live founder Paul Dunton. Paul has been a huge ambassador of Active Digital as he has watched our business grow over the years and it’s our pleasure to support him in return.
Having known Paul for over 25 years, Richard and Jo have seen first-hand the passion, dedication, and creativity that have driven Local & Live from a small one-off event into a major cultural fixture in Tunbridge Wells. Supporting the festival as a headline sponsor is both a professional collaboration and a personal milestone. It is great to support Paul and his team in delivering what has become a truly brilliant annual event, one that continues to bring people together and celebrate the very best of the local music scene.
At its core, Local & Live is about giving a platform to grassroots musicians. Artists who perform at the festival must have a connection to the local area and perform original material, ensuring that the event remains authentic and focused on creativity. For many performers, Local & Live represents one of the biggest opportunities of their careers, offering exposure to large crowds and the chance to build a following. Over the years, the festival has played a key role in supporting artists at the start of their journeys, with some going on to achieve wider recognition. This commitment to nurturing talent aligns perfectly with Active Digital’s own values of growth, innovation, and community support.
A Festival That Belongs to the Community
One of the most special aspects of Local & Live is its deep connection to the community. From the artists on stage to the thousands of attendees who fill Calverley Grounds each year, the festival is a shared experience that belongs to the people of Tunbridge Wells. The setting itself, a natural amphitheatre in the heart of the town creates an electric atmosphere, with live performances, food and drink vendors, and a sense of celebration that extends across the entire weekend. The festival has also expanded beyond its main stage, with fringe events taking place in venues such as The Forum, Trinity Theatre, and other local hotspots, further embedding it into the cultural fabric of the town.
As Local & Live prepares for its 2026 edition over the August Bank Holiday weekend, excitement is already building. With applications open for artists and plans underway for another unforgettable weekend, the festival continues to go from strength to strength. Active Digital is thrilled to be part of this journey as a headline, diamond sponsor. By supporting Local & Live, the company is investing not only in an event, but in a wider cultural movement, one that champions local talent, strengthens community connections, and celebrates the power of live music.
As the countdown to August Bank Holiday 2026 begins, one thing is certain: with the support of sponsors like us, Local & Live will continue to inspire, entertain, and unite the Tunbridge Wells community for many years to come. Well done Paul and the team!
Looking to Take the Stage at Local & Live 2026?
Artists must have a connection with the area to qualify as local. By that we mean within 20km of Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge Wells. This includes Sevenoaks, Cranbrook, Uckfield and East Grinstead. Apply here.
The festival is about artists playing their own compositions to a live audience. So be prepared to perform at least 30 minutes of original material if you want to be chosen. That can be solo or bands, acoustic or electric, but this is not a festival for covers.
