Organisers of the Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival in Birmingham have apologised and reversed a policy banning attendees from bringing their own drinks into the venue, following a backlash from music lovers concerned about the heatwave.
Policy Change Amid Heatwave Concerns
The three-day festival, set to take place in Moseley Park from July 10 to 12, is headlined by Fabio & Grooverider, Jordan Rakei and Jalen Ngonda. On Tuesday, July 7, organisers shared guidance for the heatwave, including extra marquees for shade and doubled water refill points with free sugar-free squash for children.
However, the guidance also stated: "Please do not bring your own liquids into the festival. For the safety and security of all attendees, artists and staff, and to try to reduce single-use plastic waste, no outside liquids, beverages, or filled containers are permitted on site."
Visitors quickly expressed concern on social media. Pippa wrote on Instagram: "You have to reconsider not allowing us to bring in soft drinks this year with the weather looking the way it does. It's an awful change to the rules regardless of the expected temps, and shouldn't be enforced in a heatwave."
Festival Responds and Reverses Rule
When follower Keira O'Mara noted the rule was added after tickets had been purchased, the festival issued a response, making a U-turn. It wrote: "We're sorry that we have not given you enough notice of the changes to our liquid policy. We have realised we shared far too late in the day, and that was an oversight - we apologise."
"We have listened to your feedback, and in light of the hot weather this weekend, we are happy for you to bring SEALED containers of water and soft drinks into the festival. We had changed this policy to support our already stretched security team. With more people coming than ever, we need to do everything we can to support them so they can thoroughly check bags for your safety and still keep the entrance flowing."
New Guidelines for Attendees
The festival now asks visitors to bring only sealed containers and to take all single-use containers home for recycling or use recycling bins on site. No alcohol, low or non-alcoholic drinks are permitted, and no glass is allowed. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring refillable bottles for the extra water taps.
The beloved festival, known for its community spirit, still has single tickets available. The organisers emphasised that they had changed the policy to help security teams manage bag checks efficiently while maintaining safety.
