In Conversation with: Mangata Festival

Spanning across multiple venues in Nottingham and with a line-up boasting some of the best names in alternative music, we spoke to Mangata Festival about their upcoming 2024 edition and where it all began.

Hi Mangata Festival! To kick things off…what’s the meaning behind “Mangata” and why was it chosen as the festival’s name?

So “Mangata” means moon road, it’s the reflection of the moons light on a surface. We have this image of Mangata Festival being an outdoor festival in the future and this imagery perfectly reflects how we’d like the festival to be imagined.

Can you share the inspiration behind starting Mangata Festival and the vision you had for bringing it to Nottingham?

Mangata Festival stepped in to fill the gap that was left by Macmillan Fest in 2019. We enjoyed running that festival, but we wanted to personalize this event and develop it for the future. This year we’ve started to see its growth; adding the “Ghost” stage to our collection of venues headlined this year by Viscera. We hope that we can turn it into an established metropolitan festival before going outdoors.

What sets Mangata Festival apart from other music festivals in the region, and what unique experiences can attendees expect?

For us it’s about community and getting that “feel good” outdoor summer party vibe, where the music is meticulously curated and planned for the majority of people to enjoy and discover new artists.

How do you go about curating the line-up? What factors do you consider when selecting artists and performers for the festival?

There’s such a wide span of metal genres now, we want to feature as many as possible without putting potential festival goers off attending.

Where possible previous history of performances is ideal, demonstrating what is possible on the stages of Bloodstock, Arcatangent, Damnation Festival etc. We also consider artists based on their released material, its quality, the artists fan engagement, and their general suitability for the slots we still have available.

Who would your dream artist be to perform at the festival?

For me I’d personally like to get Andrew W.K. he brings the party for sure! Other artists would be Meshuggah or Sleep Token.

Ahead of its third year, what have been some of the most memorable moments or performances from past editions of Mangata Festival?

Red Method - 2023

Palm Reader - 2022

Draconian Reign - 2023

The Five Hundred - 2022

Heart Of A Coward - 2023

Raging Speedhorn - 2023

For those who have never been to Mangata Festival, how would you describe it in just three words?

Fun. Chaotic. Experimental.

And finally, now the festival is heading towards its third year in Nottingham, what are your aspirations for the future of Mangata Festival? Are there any new elements or surprises in store for 2024’s edition?

We’ve introduced a new stage “Ghost” this year; with its intimate 250 capacity venue and balcony overlooking the stage which will be a brilliant view for those that can get a space there.

We’re also in the process of working on some other improved stall spaces and additional spaces for fans to chill out and enjoy the day too along with working with some brilliant sponsors and food traders for the event.

Don’t miss out! Tickets to Mangata Festival in Nottingham, this summer are on sale now. Book tickets here.

Photography credit: Alexandra Hogg at AcidOlka Photography