Posted: 27 August 2019
Updated: 27 April 2022
How to make your first festival a success
Read time: 4 mins
You’ve landed a spot on a festival stage, that’s the hard part over with, right? Not quite. Now you need to put on a killer show and prove that you were the right choice. Even to experienced giggers, playing a festival can be a shock to the system. In this article, we will look at how you should prepare for the big day.
There are some key things that you need to consider before you take to the stage:
Unlike a local show, a festival will ask for your tech information in advance and probably in more detail. Time to get familiar with two terms: stage plan and tech spec. A stage plan (or plot) is a visual representation of how you position yourself on stage, the gear you use and how it’s set up.
The tech spec details your entire technical rig for the performance, this will allow the engineer to have a better idea of what they need to prepare for your performance. Once you’ve provided this information, try not to change it unless you really have to (new instruments, extra members etc.) and if you do, let the engineer know before you turn up on the day.
Your festival appearance is the best chance for you to impress people who may not have heard of you otherwise. As such, it’s probably important for your set list to match the tone of the day; try to match the energy of the festival but keep some tricks up your sleeve to impress.
Remember to rehearse your set in full so you can practice the changeovers between songs, keep in mind you don’t have to talk between each song and it can be a great way to maintain the energy of your performance. Every second that you spend talking or retuning, you risk your audience wandering off to another stage.
Also, don’t forget to introduce who you are and what songs you’re playing so new fans can find you on social media later (Make sure all of your handles are the same so it’s easy for your new fans to find you!).
If you haven’t already, now would be a good time to register for royalties so you can make the most out of your festival appearance. As well as streaming and digital downloads, you can also earn royalties from live performances. Don’t worry if you’re not represented by a manager or record label, there’s plenty of advice online from organisations like PRS, BMI or ICON Collective.
In all the excitement, it’s easy to forget about packing the essentials. Bring more than you need and make an equipment list; if your only jack lead breaks that will be the end of your big festival appearance! Be sure stock up on drumsticks, guitar strings, plectrums, and other breakables. Prepare for extreme weather with wellies, spare clothes, and sunscreen—sunburn isn’t very rock n’ roll.
Don’t worry if your soundcheck is short—or if you don’t get one at all—trust the fact that the techs know what they’re doing. It’s their job to get your levels right in a short space of time and that’s part of the reason why they ask for an input list in advance. You sound may feel different to you on stage, especially as you’re in a big outdoor space, but the audience won’t be aware of any of that.
We all see photos of bands at festivals and wish we were there, so don’t waste an opportunity to get some great footage. Make sure you use the festival’s hashtags and handles and tag any bands that you interact with. If possible, get someone in your team to take photos and videos from side-stage or the photo-pit.
Know when to put your phone away—don’t keep people waiting because you’re too busy taking selfies. Remember to respect the privacy of other artists and be wary of posting anything that could be harmful to your reputation. Drunk tweets are often hilarious, but they can sometimes get you into trouble.
If you only remember one thing about playing festivals, it’s that the rules do apply to you. As frustrating as it can be to see headliners turn up late or bark orders at staff, newcomers don’t have the luxury of just doing what they want. Production staff usually work multiple events in the festival period so be the band that they’re excited to have back. Turn up on time, get on and off stage promptly and be polite.
If you’re lucky enough to get access to a VIP or artist area this can be a great space to connect with other musicians. You’ve earned the right to be there so don’t be afraid to say hello to your favourite band or exchange contacts with artists you want to collaborate with. Although you might not have any interviews planned, introduce yourself to the press and invite them to watch your set. It’s also worth looking out for label reps and managers.
As fun as the VIP area can be, don’t forget to get out and mingle with the other festival goers. It’s a great chance gain new fans and people will love the fact that you’re so down to earth and approachable.
If you feel like you’re ready to take the stage at your next local festival, take the next step and create your own stage plan, tech spec and equipment list to make sure you’re fully prepared.
So now you should be able to explain the importance of preparing effectively for a live performance. Remember that by planning effectively and acting professional you will maximise your chance of getting re-booked for festival slots.
