The Crowd

Why keep going to festivals...

Because it’s there like the mountain; for the music; the lineup; the need to be with like-minded people; the urge to dance to and listen to live music; great place to shop and trade for lots of good things; to feel the pulse of the vibe.


Best parts about going to festivals...

The music; the atmosphere...you can feel a good lot...like a good festival...waking up to a kind lot is the best feeling; everyone there together dealing with whatever comes along. The music; being able to let loose; enjoying a free environment away from ‘society’; breakfast beer; a huge heady lot.


Worst parts about going to festivals...

Occasionally feeling as if I've given up my civil rights; staff treating you like cattle; overzealous security; short sets; cancelled acts; bad weather; lack of food; gross restroom facilities; too many people and not nice vibes; police; port-o-johns, in general; sketch alley at night; garbage.

Promoter/Producer

Why take on the risks of producing and promoting music festivals?

Don’t want a 9-5 job; it’s what I do; the people motivate me; somebody has to do it, and if you have the crazy bone in your body it’s almost your duty; prestige; masochism; the higher calling of gathering people together; it’s an art form that brings great satisfaction and release when it’s a success.


The best parts of producing and promoting festivals...

A lot of people want to talk, meet, party, and share with you; when people respect the effort that it takes to make an event happen; the smiles on people’s faces; going to events to promote means you get out to a lot of fun happenings and interact with the people there; it’s as exciting and risky as high-stakes gambling or stocks with a different type of flashy lights.


The worst parts of producing and promoting festivals...

Most people underestimate the responsibilities; the people who sneak into the shows are missing the point of the music and the scene; most people do not really have much of a concept of all the extras that it takes to put a festival or even small shows on...there is an incredible amount of overhead to keep all the wheels turning smoothly all the time; having to set rules is tough, I prefer common sense guide lines; not satisfying the crowd; working with arrogant artists; the uncertainty of weather (something you can do nothing about).

Vendor

Why do you vend at festivals?

It’s better than being a cashier; earning money in a fun environment; personal connections; it’s a great side project; it’s a great way to make a living; to get my art out to the public.


The best parts of vending at festivals...

A lot of direct interaction with the crowd; first in, last out; talking to people for hours; the money can be good and allow you to live a more free lifestyle during the week while other people are at a job; it’s a great addition to my paycheck while doubling as fun; travelling; hearing sound checks; special in/out access.


The worst parts of vending at festivals...

A lot of people don’t seem to understand the expenses involved; you’re working but people think you’re just there hanging out; losing money; first in, last out; stay up late, wake up early to not miss any customers; thieves; gas prices and all the travelling; rain especially in a cow field is never a good thing for vending.

Security

Why work security at festivals?

It is good money and I get to see great shows; the music for sure; I like to help things go smooth; my friends asked me to do it and it stuck; I love music and I’ve always been a big guy!


The best parts about this type of work...

Meeting the musicians; getting paid to see the music; positive interaction with crowd; appreciative crowds; good pay and good music; being backstage.


The worst parts about it...

People don’t like you; they think you are the cops; when people get angry that you are there; breaking up girl fights; OD’s; having to enforce rules people don’t want to follow; being understaffed!

Staff/Volunteer

Why work as staff/volunteer at festivals?

The desire to see the dream of music, community, and harmony succeed continues to drive me; the music; free admission; the team/ family vibe; working to put on a great show with great music and seeing all the people really enjoying the music and having a great time; having fun with the staff at the end of the show; getting to see some great live music that makes it all worth it; coming up with a creative solution to any problem and implementing it; doing something productive to help make the event successful; bonding with other workers.


The best parts of volunteering at and staffing festivals...

Working with a group of good people with good energy really makes me feel connected; working as a team and getting the job done; the wonderful and amazing bonds you form with those people; the music! The ability to help people and be a channel to help solve problems with people at festivals can be magical at times. I like the affirmation that there are so many great people helping one another.


The worst parts of volunteering at and staffing festivals...

Unrealistic expectations; when there’s not enough infrastructure to handle bad weather; understaffing; working without appropriate equipment/ support/ resources/communication; being an authoritarian; not always getting to see enough music; sometimes you wish that you could just be and attendee and run around having fun...the long hours make it hard but when it's all over you really feel like you have accomplished something.