Organising a festival has never been easy, but in a live music landscape that has become not only crowded and highly competitive, but also increasingly dominated by large private groups and investment funds, the task has grown exponentially more complex — particularly for those seeking to preserve their independence. These challenges are compounded by the multiplication of conflicts and the rise of imperialism across the world, making the situation even more fragile.This discussion addresses these issues head-on, bringing together a diverse panel of independent festival organisers. They will share their experiences on how they have managed to build and sustain their projects, and endure at a time when competition for funding, talent and audience attention is shaped by profit-driven actors—often better resourced, better connected, and less inclined to depart from dominant cultural standards.With: Kateryna Rusetska Construction Festival (UA), Dulce (Soundit Festival | ES), Provhat Rahman (Dialled In, UK)Moderation: Shawn Reynaldo (First Floor, ES/US)