'Something has to change or there won't be a festival'

What began as a dream between friends on a farm has grown into one of Northern Ireland's largest annual independent music and arts festivals.

Stendhal Festival was originally conceived in 2008 by friends Ross Parkhill and John Cartwright to showcase local talent, but it would be 2011 before the first bands took to the Stendhal stage.

Fast forward 15 years and the festival has become an mainstay in the festival circuit for local artists, but Parkhill said rising wage, fuel and equipment costs has made running the festival increasingly difficult.

"We do get funding, but it is a drop in the ocean," he said. "Something has got to change, or there won't be a festival going forward."

"It's the cost of everything. Wage costs have gone up across the board," said Parkhill.

"Our equipment hire budget was £40,000 in 2018. Fast forward seven years and, although we're not renting much more equipment, the cost is now more than £100,000. It's becoming unsustainable."

Parkhill told the BBC's North West Today programme that visitor numbers dropped in 2025 for the first time since the festival began and organisers are having to considering changes to secure its future.

"We have a plan to try to wipe out almost six figures of debt, but we're also going to have to look at reimagining and remodelling the festival, and perhaps giving up a little on the ambition that has driven us for the last 15 years."

He said arts and culture deserved greater investment because of the role they played in improving wellbeing.

"Culture, arts and leisure should have a seat at the top table.

"If they were properly resourced over time, that would help mental health services and reduce the cost to the NHS."

Despite the challenges, Parkhill said the team are excited to welcome people the 16th iteration of the event just outside Limavady, County Londonderry.

"It's been really enjoyable building the festival, we have a smaller team this year but we have been energised and positive and can't wait to welcome people through the gates."

The festival's name is a reference to Stendhal syndrome – a psychological condition in which people experience dizziness or being overwhelmed when exposed to works of exceptional beauty.

One up-and-coming band hoping to make an impression with their Stendhal debut is Growing Pains from Londonderry.

The band is made up of Aidan, Sean, Marty and Turlough, all of whom are aged 15 and 17 years old.

"We've been playing for over a year now," said guitarist and singer, Aidan.

"Me and Sean, our bass player, became friends through music and did courses together at the Nerve Centre in Derry, so it all grew from there.

"We're playing on Saturday on the Woolly Woodland Stage, and we're buzzing.

"We've been going to Stendhal for years, but this is our first time playing as a band, so it's really exciting.

"It's the biggest stage we've played on. We've done youth club gigs before, but this is our first proper festival.

"It'll be amazing to play on a stage where we've seen so many bands we look up to."

Stendhal Festival stage curator Diane Greer said the festival is a "wonderful platform for new and emerging talent" across the north west.

"I think that, without it, a lot of the young people coming through these community organisations would miss out.

"They feed into this festival, and it's the highlight of the year for many of them.

"Talent here is nurtured to the next level, giving some people the opportunity to move from playing music in places like their bedrooms to performing on these stages.

"It is a place where people are seen, heard and promoted."

Among the headline acts for the 16th iteration of Stendhal are D:Reams Peter Cunnah and also Cast, best known for Britpop hits Alright and Walkaway.

They are joined by DJ Mark McCabe, whose track Maniac 2000 remains one of the best-selling songs in Irish chart history.

Fans of Irish folk and traditional music can look forward to performances from Kíla, Huartan and The Tumbling Paddies, while Irish jazz and blues singer Mary Coughlan also features on the bill.

Other notable acts include Chalk, Mad Professor, DJ Yoda, Robert Arkins & Commitments, Ciaran Lavery and Johnny Gallagher & The Boxty Band.

Stendhal Festival got under way on Thursday and runs until Saturday.

The three-day festival offers several dedicated camping areas for ticket holders looking to stay on sight overnight, as well as long-stay vehicle parking.

An eco-friendly camping zone is also available for festival-goers.

The festival is based in the picturesque rural setting of Ballymully Cottage Farm in Roe Valley, about three miles outside the town of Limavady.

With more than eight stages spread across the farm site, surrounding woodlands and valley, this year's programme is packed with an array of performances, with everything from art installations to live workshops and activities for all ages across multiple performance stages.

Festivalgoers can expect cool and changeable weather throughout the weekend.

Temperatures will range between 16°C and 18°C, with a mix of cloud, sunny spells and occasional light showers.

A moderate breeze is also expected, making it feel a little cooler at times.

BBC Northern Ireland will be providing live coverage from Stendhal throughout the festival, as well as highlights.

BBC Radio Ulster's Vinny and Cate will broadcast live from the festival on Friday, joined by festivalgoers and DJ Mark McCabe.

Hugo Duncan will also be presenting a special programme live from Ballymully Cottage Farm.

Irish language programme Blas, Anne Marie Wallace, Connor Phillips and Stephen McCauley will also host special broadcasts from the festival

BBC Radio Foyle's The Mark Patterson Show will also be bringing all the sights and sounds of the festival with presenter Eilidh Patterson.

On Saturday, BBC Introducing with Taylor Johnson will broadcast a special live programme from Stendhal, featuring music from this year's line-up.