There is something magical about the summer that all of us have seen happen. I like to call it the ‘outside phenomenon’. After months of rain and short days, the sun, with its light and warmth, calls upon all of us to go outside. To do what exactly? Doesn’t matter. Enter the ‘outside phenomenon’: doing everything and anything outside. Dinner while watching Netflix turns into picnicking, cozy cappuccino dates turn into walks with iced lattes, and listening to your favorite artists on Spotify turns into going to festivals.
Alas, summer is here, and with it comes the electrifying season of music festivals. From Tomorrowland to Pinkpop to Zwarte Cross, millions of music lovers gather annually to experience the magic of festivals. But it’s not just the music that’s hitting all the high notes; technology is playing a leading role in transforming these events. Here’s a look at some innovations you might encounter this festival season.
The magic of VR
Yes, virtual reality (VR) is entering the music industry. Indeed, I think we can all agree that a big part of the festival experience includes, well, simply being there, VR can be a great consolation prize to fans who can’t attend in person. VR allows you to experience live performances or even backstage tours from the comfort of your home. This technology is making festivals more inclusive and accessible, providing an immersive experience for everyone.
Tomorrowland’s ‘Around the World’ digital festival during the pandemic in 2020 was a game-changer, allowing fans to explore virtual stages and enjoy performances despite the lockdown. Similarly, Travis Scott’s ‘Astronomical’ concert in Fortnite attracted millions, showcasing the power of VR to create unique, unforgettable experiences –for those who have the technology at home.
Smart wristbands: The ultimate festival pass
Remember the days of juggling paper tickets and fumbling for cash inside your fanny pack in crowded festival grounds? I certainly do. Thankfully, those days are over. Enter smart wristbands, powered by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. These wristbands streamline entry, purchases, or even lockers, making your festival experience smoother and more secure. Tokens are now démodé.
By simply tapping your wristband, you can access the festival, pay for food and drinks, and buy merchandise. The wristbands are not only convenient but also enhance security by allowing festival organizers to track movements and manage crowds effectively. Plus, they make for great souvenirs don’t they?
Drones: Guardians of the party
Remember the days when one of the first things you’d do would be establishing an emergency gathering point with your friends just in case someone got lost amongst the crowd? When there was no Google Maps or way to know each other’s location? Good old times of old-fashioned problem-solving. Fast forward to now, when finding people has never been easier; at least for the festival organizers embracing drones!
These flying guardians offer a bird’s-eye view to ensure safety and efficient crowd management. They monitor large areas swiftly, helping to prevent incidents and manage emergencies more effectively. Since 2018, Coachella has employed drones to oversee its extensive festival grounds, providing real-time surveillance and rapid response capabilities. This technology enhances safety by allowing quick assessment and intervention, making large gatherings more secure for everyone involved. At this point, the chances of a kid getting lost in the supermarket might be higher than at Bevrijdingspop festival.
Adding an extra dimension with AR
Augmented Reality (AR) is slowly entering the stage of festivals, adding a little something of digital enchantment to the real-world music experience. AR apps and features are meant to transform your surroundings, creating interactive and immersive environments.
For example, Snapchat’s partnership with the world-famous Lollapalooza festival introduced AR compasses and friend-finders for the event, adding a twist to navigation and socializing – once again, the end of the era of meeting point declarations and the occasional panic attack when losing your mate. Other AR uses include, for instance, Coachella’s AR technology that created additional visual experiences during live streams.
Techno, rock’n’roll, pop or indie, one thing is for sure, technology is on its way to your festival. Embrace the ‘outside phenomenon’ and whilst you’re at it, embrace some of the new technologies coming your way.
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