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Electromagnetic Field

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A volunteer-run UK camping festival centered on technology, making, science, engineering and hacker culture.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

Electromagnetic Field, commonly abbreviated to EMF or EMF Camp, is a UK camping festival for hackers, technologists, engineers, scientists, makers and other members of the technical and creative community. Rather than operating as a conventional music festival, it combines temporary camping infrastructure with a dense programme of talks, workshops, demonstrations, performances, installations and participant-led activities. The event is organized as a non-profit project and is run by volunteers, with much of its character coming from attendee communities that create themed areas known as villages. The first event took place in 2012 at Pineham in Milton Keynes and sold out its 499-person capacity. Its technical infrastructure was unusually ambitious for a temporary campsite: tents were supplied with electricity and the site was connected to a data centre through a 2.5-kilometre microwave link capable of delivering hundreds of megabits per second. More than 50 speakers contributed to the programme, including science writer and doctor Ben Goldacre. In 2013, the organizers held a smaller one-day interim gathering called Electromagnetic Wave aboard the MS Stubnitz in London. EMF returned as a larger festival in 2014 at Hounslow Hall Estate near Milton Keynes. More than 1,200 tickets were sold, and the programme expanded to over 100 talks, workshops and other activities, including a dedicated children’s track. Speakers included politician Tom Watson and mathematician and science communicator Simon Singh. The event also featured dozens of attendee-run villages devoted to activities such as silversmithing, woodworking and food making. This combination of formal programming and self-organized participation became a defining feature of the brand. The 2016 festival at Loseley Park in Guildford attracted more than 1,600 attendees. Its connectivity continued to be a central part of the event’s identity, with a fibre connection and a site network built around a 10-gigabit backbone. In 2018, EMF moved to Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire and introduced the Null Sector nightclub and installation area, a fictionalized environment associated with the Polybuis Corporation. The area added a large-scale audiovisual and performance dimension to the festival while retaining its interest in experimental technology and participatory design. The 2020 festival was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. EMF resumed in 2022, when Null Sector was presented as an underwater research facility in a saddle-span tent. The 2024 edition adopted a solar-punk theme and expanded the Null Sector concept into the open-air Polybuis Extraction Division, staged as a quarry with installations, lasers and flame effects. The event also highlighted a substantial communications infrastructure, including dark fibre owned by EMF between the site and an internet uplink and a high-capacity fibre connection. Custom electronic badges are another important part of the experience. Each festival through 2024 issued a programmable, battery-powered badge, encouraging attendees to learn about embedded systems, software and hardware design. The badges evolved from the Arduino-compatible TiLDA in 2012 through increasingly sophisticated devices incorporating displays, sensors, wireless communications and cellular connectivity. In 2022 the badge was renamed TiDAL, while 2024 introduced the Tildagon, an ESP32-S3-based device designed to accept modular hardware expansions known as hexpansions. The 2026 badge, Spaceagon, continued this platform approach with a space-themed design and optional keyboard expansion. EMF’s identity therefore rests on a blend of technical capability, volunteer governance, camping, education, creative experimentation and community ownership. Its programme spans science communication, electronics, software, fabrication, arts, music and social activity. The festival takes place biennially, alternating in the broader European hacker-event calendar with events such as Chaos Communication Camp and Hack-Tic gatherings. The 2026 edition used a space theme, introduced a planetarium and expanded its programme of talks, installations, musical acts and workshops. A return to Eastnor Castle Deer Park was announced for 2028.

History

Electromagnetic Field began in 2012 as a technology-focused camping gathering at Pineham in Milton Keynes. The first event sold out at 499 attendees and established several practices that became central to later editions: a temporary but sophisticated communications network, power for camping areas, a broad programme of talks and workshops, and substantial attendee participation. Internet service was delivered through a direct microwave connection to a data centre, an ambitious arrangement for a temporary outdoor event. More than 50 speakers appeared, including Ben Goldacre. The organizers held a smaller one-day event called Electromagnetic Wave in London in 2013, using the MS Stubnitz as its venue. The main festival returned in 2014 at Hounslow Hall Estate near Newton Longville. Attendance grew beyond 1,200, while the programme exceeded 100 talks, workshops and other events. A children’s track broadened the educational offer, and 45 community-run villages provided specialized activities ranging from metalwork and woodworking to food production. The 2014 edition also featured speakers such as Tom Watson MP and Simon Singh. In 2016, EMF moved to Loseley Park near Guildford. More than 1,600 people attended, and the event’s network infrastructure was upgraded to a fibre connection with a 10-gigabit backbone. The 2018 edition was held at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire and introduced Null Sector, a fictional and heavily themed nightclub and installation area associated with the Polybuis Corporation. This became a recurring part of the festival’s artistic and social landscape. EMF’s 2020 edition was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned in 2022, with Null Sector reimagined as an underwater research facility in a large tent. The 2024 festival used a solar-punk theme and developed Null Sector into the Polybuis Extraction Division, an open-air quarry-themed nightclub with installations, lasers and flame effects. EMF also reported major improvements in its network infrastructure, including a 40-gigabit fibre connection and ownership of a long dark-fibre route from the festival site to an uplink. Standard attendee connections were described as 1 gigabit, with faster ports available on request. The festival’s custom electronic badges have evolved alongside its network and programme. The 2012 TiLDA used an ATmega32U4 microcontroller and was Arduino-compatible. The 2014 TiLDA MKe was compatible with the Arduino Due and added an LCD, accelerometer, gyroscope and long-range radio. The 2016 TiLDA MK3 moved to an STM32L4 platform and MicroPython, with Wi-Fi, gyroscope and magnetometer functionality. The 2018 TiLDA MK4 added GSM communications and a T9 keypad. The 2022 TiDAL used a USB-C thumb-drive form factor with an LCD, joystick and buttons. In 2024, the Tildagon introduced an ESP32-S3 platform and a modular hexpansion ecosystem. The 2026 Spaceagon reused elements of the earlier design while adding new boards, a joystick, compass and touch-sensitive controls; an optional keyboard expansion called Keebdeck was also offered. The 2026 edition adopted a space theme and added a planetarium featuring both attendee-created and traditional programmed content. Its programme included more than 138 talks, 141 installations, 49 musical acts and 85 workshops. Null Sector became the spaceport Polybuis GTN 4242, while a new Trash Compactor venue supported algorave and modular-synth performances. A further music stage was introduced. At the closing ceremony, organizers announced that the 2028 event would return to Eastnor Castle Deer Park. Across its history, EMF has remained a volunteer-run, non-profit festival rather than a conventional commercial touring brand. Its distinctive model combines camping with open technical infrastructure, formal education, experimental art, nightlife and participant-led communities. The festival is held every two years and sits within an alternating European hacker-event calendar that includes Chaos Communication Camp and Hack-Tic-related events.

  • 2026

    Space-themed edition

    [1]

    The festival introduced Spaceagon, a planetarium, a new music stage and an expanded programme of talks, installations, performances and workshops.

  • 2024

    Solar-punk festival and Tildagon

    [1]

    The event adopted a solar-punk theme, expanded its infrastructure and launched the Tildagon modular programmable badge.

  • 2022

    Return and TiDAL badge

    [1]

    The festival resumed with an underwater-research Null Sector environment and a redesigned TiDAL electronic badge.

  • 2020

    Pandemic cancellation

    [1]

    The planned event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 2018

    Eastnor Castle debut and Null Sector

    [1]

    EMF moved to Eastnor Castle Deer Park and launched the Null Sector nightclub and installation area.

  • 2016

    Move to Loseley Park

    [1]

    The festival moved to Loseley Park, attracted more than 1,600 attendees and introduced fibre connectivity with a 10-gigabit site backbone.

  • 2014

    Expansion near Milton Keynes

    [1]

    The festival exceeded 1,200 tickets and expanded to more than 100 talks, workshops and activities, including a children’s track and 45 villages.

  • 2013

    Electromagnetic Wave interim event

    [1]

    A smaller one-day gathering was held in London aboard the MS Stubnitz.

  • 2012

    First Electromagnetic Field festival

    [1]

    The inaugural festival took place at Pineham in Milton Keynes, sold out at 499 attendees and introduced powered camping, high-speed temporary internet and a broad technical programme.

  • Announced return to Eastnor Castle Deer Park

    [1]

    Organizers announced that the next listed edition would return to Eastnor Castle Deer Park.

Products and positioning

A technically ambitious, participatory camping festival for hackers, makers, scientists, engineers and creative technologists. EMF differentiates itself through volunteer operation, attendee-created programming, unusually advanced temporary network infrastructure and custom programmable badges.

  • Festival experience · 2012

    Electromagnetic Field festival

    The core offering is a biennial camping festival combining talks, workshops, science communication, electronics, software, arts, music, installations and community-led villages. Attendees participate not only as spectators but also as organizers, presenters, builders and performers. The event supplies temporary power and unusually capable internet infrastructure, making technical experimentation part of the festival experience.

  • Programmable hardware · 2012

    EMF electronic badges

    EMF badges are custom electronic devices issued to attendees and funded through sponsorship and event support. They have included displays, microcontrollers, wireless communications, sensors, buttons and other interactive components. The badge programme encourages attendees to explore programming, electronics and hardware modification while serving as a distinctive collectible from each edition.

  • Programmable badge platform · 2024

    Tildagon

    Introduced for the 2024 event, Tildagon is an ESP32-S3-based programmable badge with onboard memory and support for modular hexpansion boards. It represents a shift from a one-off conference gadget toward a reusable platform for attendee-built hardware and software projects.

  • Programmable badge · 2026

    Spaceagon

    Spaceagon was the badge associated with the 2026 space-themed event. It reused parts of the earlier Tildagon design while adding new front and middle boards, a joystick, compass and touch-sensitive areas. An optional keyboard hexpansion known as Keebdeck was also available.

  • Nightlife and installation area · 2018

    Null Sector

    Null Sector is a recurring themed area combining nightclub programming, installations, visual effects and fictional world-building. Its presentation has changed between editions, including an underwater research facility in 2022, a solar-punk quarry and extraction division in 2024, and the Polybuis GTN 4242 spaceport in 2026.

Marketing campaigns

  • 2026Space

    United Kingdom

    The 2026 event was organized around space, with a planetarium, space-themed Null Sector environment and programming related to astronomy and speculative futures.

    Outcome. The theme informed the site design, badge identity, performances and educational programme.

    Source
  • 2024Solar Punk

    United Kingdom

    The 2024 festival used solar punk as its overall creative theme, linking ecological futurism with the event’s technology, art and infrastructure programme. The theme was also reflected in the Null Sector environment and related festival design work.

    Outcome. The theme shaped the 2024 site experience and was accompanied by solar-punk festival fabric made available after the event.

    Source

Brand decisions

  • 2026

    Expand the festival’s space-themed programmeStrategy

    Background

    The 2026 event continued EMF’s practice of using a strong creative theme to connect technical, artistic and social programming.

    Action taken

    Organizers added a planetarium, a music stage and a new algorave and modular-synth venue while presenting Null Sector as a spaceport.

    Aftermath

    The edition featured more than 138 talks, 141 installations, 49 musical acts and 85 workshops, and the 2028 return to Eastnor Castle Deer Park was announced.

    Source

  • 2024

    Introduce the Tildagon badge platformProduct launch

    Background

    EMF has historically issued a new programmable badge for each event and had developed a progression of increasingly capable designs.

    Action taken

    The 2024 event introduced Tildagon, based on the Espressif ESP32-S3 and designed to support modular hexpansion boards.

    Aftermath

    The platform was intended to continue alongside future event badges.

    Source

  • 2020

    Cancel the 2020 festivalOther

    Background

    The COVID-19 pandemic created conditions in which a large camping and community event could not proceed as planned.

    Action taken

    Organizers cancelled the 2020 edition and later resumed the festival in 2022.

    Aftermath

    The biennial event returned in 2022.

    Source

Sources2 sources

  1. 1Electromagnetic Field (festival)en.wikipedia.org
  2. 2Electromagnetic Field official websiteemfcamp.org

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