Since their unofficial establishment sometime around the 1960s music festivals have gone from being small off the cuff parties to a huge global phenomenon attracting thousands off festival goers in pursuit of music, good company and fun times. Although the basic premise of a festival hasn’t really changed the technology and the variety of acts has definitely changed over the years with festivals arriving on the scene to deal with specific genres like download festival which specialises in Metal really differ from the original folk and psychedelic offerings.
Many veteran festivals goers now lament how festivals have changed a lot and become more commercialised. I believe this may personally be true but it doesn’t necessarily have to have a negative impact on the quality of festivals.
Having more money invested may push up ticket prices but for that customers are getting better quality of acts in safer venues with better sound systems. Some people think this is watering down the core values of festivals and while the increased amount of advertising and product placement may admittedly begin to grate I think it’s a small price to pay to keep artists touring and to ensure the festivals keep going.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Early festivals like Glastonbury and Woodstock were literally revolutionary at the time and encapsulate the core values of an emerging youth culture post 1950s. Artists like Jimi Hendrix performed legendary sets that are still held in high regard today. Glastonbury and Woodstock are still on almost every year and although the line ups have differed considerably from the originals they still promote and uphold the same values.
Some people may still argue that festivals are in decline but the fact that there are increasingly more new festivals each year, both low key DIY affairs and large scale events in Europe, Asia, America and all over the world clearly proves this wrong. Friends of mine who have been studying event management at university have put on festivals with mixed success and the success of Kendal Calling shows that the festival scene still has a lot of life left in it.
Just like in Wayne’s world, “if you book them they will come” all you need is access to some good artists, a good venue, a monstrous sound system and a few bits and pieces of equipment and you can put on a festival of your own. If you purchase an epos like the ones stocked by Nisyst (www.nisyst.co.uk) you’ll be able to process purchases for last minute tickets, food and merchandise sales. Some may see it as drab but being sensible keeps money in the coffers so next year’s festival can be put on!
So whether you think festivals are about corporate sell outs or if you can see beyond that and have a thoroughly good time we salute you! Whichever festival you head to, get out into the countryside and have a great time.
