Swindon Shuffle is set for a further two years of support from one of the town’s major employers, with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) renewing its role as headline sponsor of the grassroots music festival.
The new partnership comes as this year’s Shuffle prepares to get underway, with the festival returning to venues across Swindon from 7 to 13 September.
UKRI has supported the Shuffle for several years and will continue as headline sponsor for both the main festival and its winter offshoot, Swinterfest.
The Shuffle is Swindon’s longest-running music festival and provides a platform for local and emerging artists, while also helping to support the town’s independent music venues.
The festivals also raise money for Prospect Hospice, with UKRI recently presenting the charity with more than £10,000 raised through the 2025 Shuffle and 2026 Swinterfest.
This year’s festival will feature a wide range of artists, including Modern Evils, Concrete Prairie and I See Orange, with performances taking place across nine Swindon venues.
For Shuffle volunteer committee chair Ed Dyer, the renewed sponsorship is particularly significant as the festival approaches its 20th year.
“For UKRI to commit for the next two years is amazing,” he said.
“It means in our 20th year we will be able to help even more great, young Swindon artists get a chance to perform whilst keeping all our music events free and growing Swinterfest in the new year.”
UKRI Chief Executive Professor Sir Ian Chapman said the organisation was proud to continue supporting an event which celebrates the town’s creative talent.
“As a Swindon-based employer, UKRI is proud to support Swindon Shuffle and Swinterfest,” he said.
“These events showcase the talent and creativity that exist across the town, bring communities together, and help sustain the venues that are such an important part of Swindon’s cultural life.”
He also highlighted the fundraising contribution made by the festivals to Prospect Hospice.
Prospect Hospice CEO Jeremy Lune said the charity was delighted to receive more than £10,000 from the events.
“The support for Prospect Hospice is heartwarming,” he said.
“I am certain that pretty much everyone who attended the festivals has known somebody who was cared for by my amazing colleagues, so I would like to thank them all for their generous donations.”
He said the money would help the hospice open three additional beds on its inpatient unit at a time when many adult hospices are facing financial pressures.
The continued UKRI sponsorship comes after the organisation previously used its presence in Swindon to highlight research and innovation taking place across the UK.
Last year, posters and billboards appeared around the town showcasing some of the thousands of projects supported by UKRI.
With the Shuffle now approaching its 20th year, the renewed partnership provides a welcome boost for the festival’s organisers, local musicians and the venues which host the events.
And, importantly for audiences, the music remains free.
Swindon Shuffle 2026 takes place from 7–13 September at nine venues across Swindon.
