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Festival Season Beyond Music

Festival Season Beyond Music

Every year we see many new festivals emerging that are more specialized, localized and affordable. We are no longer limited in our choices and have access to different events all year round. Of course, we still hear about some of the most popular and elite festivals such as Coachella, but for many of us, the price tag is unrealistic. With over 800 different festivals solely in the United States alone, there is definitely a festival out there for you.

When typically thinking of a festival we usually perceive them from two extremes. We either think of hardcore raves or mellow indie music filled with “hipsters”. For the majority, these types of festivals don’t appeal to our music or social tastes. Although there are more festivals in certain genre’s, the increase in popularity towards festivals has diversified the industry and scene as a whole.

Festivals have shifted from the typical music scene and have begun to incorporate important consumer interests. Festivals for creativity, well-being and even the environment have begun to hit the market. Festivals now encapsulate a term much broader than music and capture almost any interest that one could think of. With that being said, the number of options and choices can be overwhelming. Knowing which festivals are actually worth the price, which are actually legitimate and where to even look can be difficult. To simplify the process, we’ve outlined some of the types of festivals in 2020 and some emerging events that are unique! 

  • Eco Experiences 

    • Sustainability focused festivals which create initiatives that move beyond “recycling” and implement low-waste objectives. Popular among the younger cohorts who are socially conscious. 

    We Love Green – Paris, France, June 6-7 2020

    • Headliners: Young Thug, WIZKID, Lana Del Rey, Bad Bunny
    • Electronic and urban festival that pledges they will plant one tree for every attendee. 
  • Well-Being

    • Festivals that focus on positive well-being and health. Assisting in creating engaging and unique fitness activities such as cacao ceremonies or chanting circles. Usually smaller in size which gives attendees the opportunity to engage more intimately with one another. 

    Love Trails Festival – Gower Peninsula, UK, July 2-5 2020

    • Festival that includes both music and athletics. During the day, activities include trail running, beach excursions and wellness activities. During the nighttime, a wide range of DJ’s in an intimate atmosphere. 
  • Creativity & Innovation 

    • Festivals that bring creatives together and foster a collaborative environment. Most festivals within this segment encourage attendees to creatively exchange their artistic skills with each other.

    Muntek – Montreal, Canada, August 25-30 2020

    • Electronic music festival focused on audiovisual performances and installations. Canadian artists/attendees are encouraged to submit project proposals in digital creation and electronic music to continue inclusiveness initiatives. 

    Additional Festivals To Watch:

    Dreams Festival – Toronto, Ontario July 27-28 2020

    • One of the largest electronic music festival in Canada with music ranging from trance, house and deep base. 

    Virgin Fest - Los Angeles CA, June 6-7 2020

    • Headliners: Lizzo, A$ap Rocky, Kali Uchis, Jorja Smith, Major Lazer
    • Diverse music festival with core values of inclusivity and sustainability welcoming all. 

    Rolling Loud – Miami, Florida, May 8-10 2020

    • Headliners: Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Post Malone, A$ap Rocky, Roddy Ricch
    • World’s largest hip-hop festival.

    Indigenous Arts Festival – Toronto, Ontario June 19-21 2020

    • Multi-day festival that features Indigenous dancers and performers while offering contemporary Indigenous crafts, food and a Pow-Wow in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day.

    ImagineNATIVE – Toronto, Ontario October 20-25 2020

    • Internationally recognized festival to help bring inclusion, representation and understanding of Indigenous cultures and people. One of the world’s largest Indigenous film festival that features film, video, audio and digital media. 

    By Ruby Lukach

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