Hey there, music lovers! Are you ready for an inside look at what goes into making a music festival lineup? Buckle up, because we’re going behind-the-scenes! I’m your host, Jake, and I’ve worked on music festivals for years. Today, I’m going to give you the insider scoop on what really happens when it comes to planning a festival lineup. So, grab a drink, put on your favorite tunes, and let’s dive in together!

Understanding the audience 👥

First things first - understanding the festival’s audience is key. Different festivals and music genres attract different audiences, so it’s critical to determine the festival’s niche. Doing research helps us get a sense of what music genres people are most interested in, what age groups attend the festival, and where they’re from. This information helps us create a lineup that appeals to the festival-goers and that reflects the music culture. A photo of a crowd of people at a music festival

Looking for available artists 👀

Once we’ve understood our audience, it’s time to start creating a list of music artists that we want to perform at our festival. This list is usually a mix of big-name headlining acts and up-and-coming artists who are on the rise. Our goal is always to create a diverse lineup that includes a blend of genres and generations. We look at artists who have recently released new music, tour schedules, and their social media presence. In addition to their music skills, their messaging, and their past performances are also taken into consideration. A photo of a whiteboard with a list of artist names and circles around names that are available

Negotiating with agents and artists 💸

Once we’ve compiled our list of preferred artists, it’s time to reach out to their agents and start the negotiation process. We have to make sure the contracts with them align with our festival date and budget. Agents play a major role in deciding who performs given the artist’s schedules, tour dates, and their own agenda. We also have to negotiate hotel rooms, travel, security, and equipment provisions for the artists. This requires a lot of back-and-forth and is one of the more challenging components of lineup planning. A photo of a contract being signed and a handshake as an agreement is made

Balancing the lineup 🎚

Now, it’s time to put together the lineup! One of the biggest challenges with this is ensuring the mix of artists’ genres and days they perform. Typically, festivals have multiple stages and simultaneous performances, and it is important not to place acts that have overlapping fanbases at the same time at different stages. We also have to make sure the arrangements of the performing acts are suitable for the sound, lightning, and performing quality of the environment. A photo of a whiteboard with written plans for where artists are set to perform throughout the day

Announcing the lineup 🗣

After everything is secured, it’s time to announce the lineup to the public. We take advantage of the power of social media and let people know who’s performing through posters, flyers, and online platforms. It’s essential to highlight the best of the lineup to shift the attention towards them, creating a festive mood that draws in crowds. The announcement creates anticipation and an electric buzz which should be utilized to boost sales. 📣 A photo of a poster advertising the festival and its lineup

And there you have it. The behind-the-scenes to creating a music festival lineup. It’s all about understanding the audience, researching and contacting artists and agents, balancing the lineup, and finally, announcing the lineup for the public. With a lot of hard work, patience, and understanding, we can create an exceptional experience for all the festival-goers out there. Until next time, keep on rockin’! 🤘🏽 A photo of a crowd of festival-goers having a good time at a music festival