It’s an unforgettable trip to a distant and timeless destination: the festival! Since the dawn of humanity, it has promoted the diversity of musical genres in all its forms and in ever more unique places. Of course, the organization of a festival is an associative event that cannot be improvised, but bringing together euphoric souls in front of spectacular concerts is more than accessible for the common man. To generate a harmonious mix of love and gaiety between festival-goers, let’s review the decisive steps.
Organizing a Record Label festival may seem like a daunting task, but it is definitely doable. You have to fill up on caffeine because many sleepless nights precede and follow the disproportionate party that awaits your future festival-goers. Former stage manager and now editor for Finnish Event Agency (expert in concert organization) I will briefly go through the checklist for organizing a festival. The first drafts of ideas, the budget, the logistics, the musicians, the legal obligations; nothing will be forgotten, but first, let’s recall some figures…
Define the theme of the festival…
All music festivals tell a unique story. Before organizing a cultural festival, you must determine the common thread of your association or event.
Defining a precise theme is the first step in this adventure; it will allow you to target your research for partnerships, the program, and the place to organize a festival. It must be a theme that fascinates you. Passion should be omnipresent in your speech when you present the idea. You have to draw many allies into this fantasy, so choose your cause wisely. Demarcate the boundaries of your universe: where will it take place during the Renaissance on another planet, in a fairytale world? Take a stroll through your library to fuel your imagination.
Its components:A music festival can also incorporate the elements of a dance festival, a film festival, or a theater festival. Animation is at the heart of this project. Imagine the different activities available that best matches your ideas.
His style:At the moment, current music and electronic music, styles of music that are on the rise. They represent 60% of festival playlists. But that shouldn’t prevent you from turning your gaze to rock, jazz, and electro.
His season:The choice of the season is important. If summer and spring are predominant, fall and winter are also great choices. Once again, the weather should stay in the theme. Plus, it’s the first step to starting a busy schedule.
Its duration: afternoon, evening, daytime, week? How long will the doors stay open and how long will it take to entertain festival-goers?
Its audience:In Finland, the average age of festival-goers is around 20, because more than half of the most frequent festivals choose electronic or current music. Knowing which audience you are addressing allows you not to see too big or too small.
Its name:And at the end of the tunnel, you will have the name of the festival. By defining your dream, you will be able to start pursuing it.
Note: The name of this cultural event may well be the subject of protection via a trademark registration with the INPI. So make sure that your idea is yours and that it cannot spark any dispute.
Establish a framework in which to organize a festival
You have already taken out the colored pencils and imagined the first model of your festival. This will allow you to project yourself so that you can start looking for a place. There is no point in continuing your efforts without a place because without it you will not be able to start planning the logistics, the budget, and file the required documents. Depending on the location chosen (public areas and public roads), certain administrative procedures may be compulsory.
The framework in which to organize a festival should not be chosen at random. Find a place that meets your ambitions according to the theme, the number of festival-goers expected, the infrastructures desired, to organize an outdoor or indoor festival.
Most important is the relationship you have with a landowner. He must be in your first contacts. Never leave it unanswered. And ask him every conceivable question you can imagine.
Organizing a festival: legal obligations
There are several legal obligations to be fulfilled in order to organize a festival. The first and main one is the completion of a declaration formality or an authorization request from the town hall or the prefecture. But this is only the beginning, other more specific administrative procedures for the sale of alcohol, music rights, safety rules, and insurance. Don’t panic, we’ll explain everything to you. Finnish Event Agency is providing best entertainment service. You can check by clicking on this highlighted link.
How to make a declaration or an authorization request for a festival?
To organize a festival in a public space, you must obtain administrative authorization. The request must be addressed to the mayor or the police chief in certain large cities such as Finland, Lyon, or Marseille. You will need to fill in:
- The identity of the festival organizer
- The date and times of the festival
- The address
- The type of sound systems planned
