Burton Kia hits the road with Sonic Boom to promote grassroots music

Burton Kia has partnered with Burton upon Trent grassroots music organisation Sonic Boom Music CIC to support an ambitious summer live music project.

The partnership sees Burton Kia provide a PV5 all-electric Cargo van as a mobile activation hub throughout the summer months, taking free pop-up music experiences directly into Burton’s communities ahead of the Sonic Boom Festival on 12 September 2026.

The van will operate a mix of scheduled and surprise appearances across the town under the #SpotTheVan campaign, with monthly prize draws.

Chris Baldwin, co founder and director of Sonic Boom Music CIC, said: “This is Burton showing what it can do when people back each other. Every year we do this, it gets stronger and stronger.

“Our project is becoming something really special now, and people in the music industry across the county are watching our town very carefully to see how we do it.

“Kia Burton’s support goes well beyond sponsorship and we are incredibly grateful.”

Harry Bullock, director at Burton Kia, said: “Burton is our town and we’re proud to back the people building something real here.

“Sonic Boom has created genuine momentum around live music and we wanted to be part of that - not just as a name on a poster, but as an active partner out in the community.”

Dale Bywater, business & commercial sales manager at Burton Kia, said: “The van is exactly the kind of vehicle this activation needed - all electric, zero emissions, high capacity, and built for flexible urban use.

“It’s a great demonstration of what the technology can do, and the fact its mains functionality is powering free music experiences across Burton this summer makes it even better.”

The Sonic Boom Festival takes place on Saturday 12 September 2026 in Burton upon Trent town centre. Entry is free.

The festival is headlined by Pale Waves, with BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins hosting the main stage. Around 6,000 attendees are expected.

Pictured from left to right: Harry Bullock with Burton musician Ellie Grice