Do Festivals Really Need Huge Lineups? What’s The Most Important Factor?

byFrankB-1

6.5K followers

21 hrs ago

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

Let’s talk about something many of us have strong feelings about: music festivals.

They’re a lot of fun, right? But what really makes a festival awesome? Is it the lineup, the location, or maybe something else?

I’ve been to many festivals over the years, from small local events to massive multi-day productions, and I can tell you there’s a lot that goes into making them memorable. Sure, the big headliners can get people to buy tickets, but is that really the main reason we keep coming back year after year?

Today, I want to break down some of the key things that make a festival great or not so good, and I’d love to hear your opinion, too!

Diverse Lineup

A diverse lineup can be the heart and soul of a festival, kind of like an all-you-can-eat buffet for music lovers. Lol 😎

You get a little bit of everything, which means that whether you’re in the mood for epic guitar solos, funky basslines, or just something to dance to, you’re covered.

Remember Coachella 2018? You had artists like Eminem, Beyoncé, and A Perfect Circle all on the same stage! The mix was wild, and it brought in people with all kinds of music tastes, something for everyone!

Or think about Glastonbury 2019, with The Cure and Stormzy as headliners. You got a perfect blend of classic rock and hip-hop. There’s something really cool about bringing all kinds of genres together; it’s like different worlds colliding, and you never know what new band you might discover!

And then there are festivals like Ozzfest, which show that even within one genre, you can have a diverse lineup. Ozzfest has featured artists like Black Sabbath and Slipknot alongside newer acts like Lamb of God. Even though they all fall under the heavy metal category, a variety like classic metal, nu-metal, and metalcore keeps things exciting for fans. It’s like getting different flavors of metal all in one place!

Having a mix like this keeps the crowd diverse and the energy fresh. If you’re into a bit of everything, a festival is probably just what you need!

Atmosphere/Scenery

Now, let’s talk about the vibe. The atmosphere of a festival can make all the difference, and the setting plays a big role in creating that special magic.

Have you ever been to a show at a natural amphitheater, like Red Rocks? The incredible views make everything seem to sound better and it’s like the rocks are grooving along with you. Lol 😆

Or think about Woodstock '69 and Woodstock '99 (minus the chaos) and the feeling of being part of something huge, surrounded by people all there for the love of music. They were special, especially the first one, right? ☮️

Another great example is Electric Forest, which takes place in the Sherwood Forest in Michigan. The way they light up the forest at night, combined with the music, makes it feel like you’ve stepped into a different world for a few days!

Sometimes, a festival isn’t just about who’s on stage; it’s about everything coming together around you. The setting, the vibe, and those little details are often what stick with us long after the music stops!

Sound Quality

I could talk about sound quality forever, but I won't. Everyone at WA who knows me understands that I'm a real stickler for sound, especially in an audiophile environment. Although getting that kind of sound at outdoor events is next to impossible, sound quality is still a big deal!

You could have the best bands in the world, but if the sound system is not up to the job, then it’s going to be a letdown. Sound systems for festivals need to be carefully designed to deal with open spaces and crowds. Using line array speakers that project sound far and wide helps make sure everyone in the audience gets a good experience.

The PA amplification needs to have the power capacity to make everything sound crystal clear, which means no distortion, even at extreme volumes! This allows artists to add musical distortion to their sound without it being turned into unrecognizable mush! For example, if a guitar player has the perfect overdriven or distorted sound coming from their guitar amp and it's mixed into the house PA system so that everyone can hear it, it needs to sound exactly the same!

A good sound system, with balanced highs, mids, and lows, can make a performance truly amazing.

Take Tomorrowland, for example. They put a ton of effort into their sound; the bass hits you in the chest, the highs are crisp, and everything just draws you in. That’s a big part of what makes it so legendary.

Then there’s Glastonbury. It’s a massive place, but their sound system always delivers. Whether you're right up front or way back in the crowd, the sound is consistently strong, clear, and balanced. The way they manage to fill such a huge space with crystal-clear audio is impressive, making sure every note reaches the audience just as the artists intended.

And let’s not forget that sometimes it’s the perfectly tuned sound on a smaller stage that can make a show feel truly magical!

Affordable Tickets

Alright, let’s talk about money. Festivals can be expensive, and that’s an understatement!

Even single-headliner concerts can be way overpriced! My wife and I paid about $600 US per show for VIP tickets to see Joe Bonamassa and Joe Satriani, which we actually purchased at a discounted price through our private bank! Nobody wants to pay that kind of cash, so when a festival makes an effort to keep tickets affordable, it’s a huge win!

A lot of this cost is due to the ticketing company monopoly. Ticketing companies often have way too much control over prices, fees, and availability, which can make attending festivals a lot more expensive than it should be. Outrageous service fees can get added at checkout, which is often tolerated by the stress of tickets selling out in seconds because of bots or limited availability. This can keep festivals out of reach for a lot of people.

However, there are more price-friendly festival options available.

Take Bonnaroo, for example. It’s held in Manchester, Tennessee, and they’ve had some great deals that include camping, which really helps keep costs down and makes the whole experience more accessible for a wider audience. You don’t need to worry about hotel costs or transportation to the festival each day, which can save a ton of money. Bonnaroo also allows people to bring their own food and drinks, making it even more budget-friendly compared to other festivals where you might be stuck paying for expensive on-site vendors!

Primavera Sound, which takes place in Barcelona, Spain, has managed to keep ticket prices pretty reasonable. On top of that, Primavera often offers a range of ticketing options, including single-day passes and early bird discounts, which makes it a more flexible and affordable choice compared to many other major festivals.

Festivals should be about bringing people together to enjoy music, and when tickets are affordable, it makes it easier for everyone to join in. After all, a festival is only as good as the crowd that’s there to enjoy it, right?

Tell Me What You Think!

So now that I’ve laid out some of the key things about festivals, I want to hear from you!

If you had to choose just one of the following factors:

Which Factor Is Most Important For A Music Festival?

• Diverse Lineup
• Atmosphere/Scenery
• Sound Quality
• Affordable Tickets
• Other

Let me know in the comments, AND ...

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Pin by DALL-E 3)

Frank 🎸

~75% Human written content.