**Tributes Pour In for Big Love Festival Founder Stu Housley, Who Passes Away Just Days After Wedding**
The community of Usk and the wider festival scene in Monmouthshire are mourning the loss of Stu Housley, a beloved co-founder of the popular Big Love Festival. Housley, described by friends and colleagues as a “kind and caring” individual, sadly died earlier this week, mere days after marrying his partner, Jo, in a small and intimate ceremony. He is survived by his wife and their young daughter, leaving a community grieving a man who was considered the heart behind one of Wales’s most cherished summer gatherings.
Stu’s battle with illness began in May, when he was diagnosed with an exceptionally rare and aggressive form of cancer. Despite this considerable personal challenge, Housley remained a presence within the festival community, even managing a visit to the festival site during this year’s event, held from 17 to 20 July in Usk. Those around him noted his determination and dedication, traits that helped shape the Big Love Festival into the celebration of music and camaraderie it is today.
Big Love Festival started as a modest weekend event but has grown under Stu’s nine-year stewardship into a vibrant fixture on Wales’s summer calendar. Organisers took to social media to share their heartbreak and respect for Stu, highlighting the tireless effort he devoted over the years. “He never paid himself a penny,” they wrote, “motivated solely by his passion for music and bringing people together.”
A spokesperson for Big Love Foundation shared insights into Stu’s versatility and hands-on approach. Whether trouble-shooting sound equipment, managing lighting, or resolving mechanical issues, Stu was known as the go-to problem-solver for anything technical. His imagination and forward-thinking led to many of the festival’s most innovative moments, with countless attendees benefiting from his ability to enhance both the spectacle and sense of fun.
His colleagues reminisced particularly about his generosity with his time and skills. Beyond the technical work, Stu “would always go out of his way to help anyone in need, with practical support and heartfelt advice, never hesitating to get involved.” Many fellow organisers and volunteers credit him with instilling the Big Love Festival’s ethos of community and hospitality.
Heartbreakingly, it was only a short time after the conclusion of this year’s festival that Stu and Jo wed, surrounded by a handful of close friends and members of the festival’s team. The joy of this occasion was quickly followed by sorrow, as Stu’s illness claimed his life just days later, reinforcing the fragile nature of life even as communities gather to celebrate it.
Despite the shadow cast by Stu’s passing, the festival team is pressing ahead with plans for the 2026 edition of Big Love Festival, keeping alive the vision Stu passionately championed. Organisers acknowledged that “a massive hole” has been left in their hearts but recalled conversations with Stu and his wife, reaffirming that he wanted the festival to keep growing and flourishing.
“We are heartbroken that Stu will not be with us to mark ten years of Big Love next year,” the organisers stated, “but his wife and daughter will be, celebrating the legacy he painstakingly built.” As a mark of tribute, ticket sales for the 2026 festival will proceed as planned, with the hope of drawing thousands together in homage to both a friend and a founder.
The Big Love Festival and everyone who knew Stu Housley will remember him for far more than his work. His enduring legacy is one of inclusivity, community, and creativity—an example organisers hope will continue to inspire festivalgoers and volunteers for years to come.
With preparations already underway for next summer, there is no doubt that Stu’s presence will be felt in every stage, every gathering, and every new smile at Big Love, as his vision continues to foster music, the arts, and abiding friendship in the heart of Monmouthshire.