IT may have grown rapidly since he staged a festival in his parents’ back garden in Beckenham while they were on holiday seven years ago but Lee Denny is still as enthusiastic about LeeFest.

The gig now has six stages with music, art, DJs, comedy and theatre on a farm in Warlingham.

Lee, 25, said: “When I was doing it in my garden I was enthusiastic about having a massive party and being the cool kid with a crazy party going on.

“Now I’m enthusiastic about the work we’re trying to do with education and providing training and experience to young people coming into the technical industry, the support we give to young artists and finding fantastic musicians that are undiscovered and putting them on.”

The quirkiest festival of the year, LeeFest has grown again in 2013, but only by 500 people as Lee said he wants to keep the intimate feel.

He said: “By the end you know everybody else by face, if not by name. By the end it is like one big group of friends.

“There’s no way that could possibly happen at the bigger festivals.”

Maths graduate Lee runs the festival with a full time team of around 10, although on festival day the crew of volunteers swells to over 300, and the festival is a not-for-profit social enterprise with Lee making sure money made goes back into the festival, supporting local artists and to charity.

LeeFest runs from July 12 to July 14. Go to leefest.org.uk for details.

 

Read Vibe's guide to the summer's best London festivals here