Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
News

We’re sending Brian Wilson to Doune The Rabbit Hole Festival

He'll be bringing good vibrations to the annual Scottish bash

Brian Wilson Perth

The Big Issue can exclusively reveal that Brian Wilson will be at this year’s Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival.

Yeah you read that right – but The Beach Boys won’t be bringing Good Vibrations to the Stirling festival, that will be left to our very own Big Issue vendor Brian Wilson.

The 39-year-old will heading out on tour from his usual pitch outside M&S in Perth to bring his famous name and plenty of magazines to the festival – headlined by Levellers, Akala and This Is The Kit – on July 13-15.

Brian Wilson Perth
Brian-Wilson-Perth
Revellers can catch Brian Wilson selling the magazine at Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival

And Brian insists that he may even pay homage to his more illustrious namesake at the festival.

“I’ve never been to a festival before but I think that this will be an environment where I will flourish when selling the magazine,” said Bryan, who is saving up his earnings from selling the magazine to set up a boiler maintenance business.

“I can build up a lot of rapport with people by telling jokes while selling, like “I’m doing this so I can get my Ferrari serviced”, and at the festival there will be lots of people in a brilliant mood who will get that so it should go down well.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

On my pitch I can sell between 100 and 200 magazines every week and I even have the experience of selling to music fans already as I do well from the concert hall in Perth.

“I obviously get the Brian Wilson comparisons quite a lot so I’ll have to think of some one-liners about that along the lines of him being a special guest.”

I’ve never been to a festival before but I think that this will be an environment where I will flourish when selling the magazine

Rhys Morgan, Big Issue distribution team leader in Glasgow, said: “We are really excited to have The Big Issue presence at Doune the Rabbit Hole this year. It’s an opportunity for us to reach new customers, engage with people in a feel-good environment and I hope this is the start of a long running relationship.

Keep reading the journalism that powers our mission

Register free to continue and learn more about the stories, campaigns and the support we provide, helping people facing poverty across the UK.

“For Brian, it’s a fantastic opportunity to sell the magazine at a unique event and also a chance for a bit of fun after 12 months of working hard selling up in Perth.”

The Big Issue will be looking forward to the big British summer of festivals, whether it be for music, journalism or comedy, with our Festival Special, available on April 30.

Our 2020 Impact Report

The Big Issue has given more than £1 million support to Big Issue vendors struggling due to the lockdown restrictions. To mark the significant milestone, we have published an impact report, documenting the seismic shift the organisation has undergone in the past 12 months.

View Report
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
'So many of the problems we face today are a result of Right to Buy'
A row of house rooves and chimneys
Letters

'So many of the problems we face today are a result of Right to Buy'

Rents are set to rise 5% by the end of 2026. Here’s what it could mean for homelessness
A couple being shown around a home by an estate agent
Renting

Rents are set to rise 5% by the end of 2026. Here’s what it could mean for homelessness

I'm a KFC youth worker. Young people aren't a lost cause – we're failing them at the first hurdle
Young people at the KFC Youth Foundation Middlesborough Youth Hub.
Ellie Smith

I'm a KFC youth worker. Young people aren't a lost cause – we're failing them at the first hurdle

As Big Issue turns 35, our mission to terminate homelessness is unchanged
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
Steven MacKenzie

As Big Issue turns 35, our mission to terminate homelessness is unchanged