Festival Identity Crisis

I thought I'd bring this up since I've been thinking about it a good bit. I'm going to Langerado in early March, and I certainly plan on hitting the Roo in June. I've also taken a good look at the Wakarusa and Coachella lineups, as well as the Vegoose lineup from last fall. I'm pleased with the lineups of all of these festivals, and I think that the people who run these shows have done a great job on all accounts of keeping their respective festivals fresh while maintaining some identity (not necessarily an identity centered around a genre of music, but at least an identity centered around separate lineups) for themselves.

I think Langerado did a great job of setting the pace this year, but, in doing so, they had the first opportunity to establish their identity. Much like Bonnaroo, they took on some jam bands, some indie bands, etc. --- a good mix. With that said, this presents a challenge for the folks running other festivals. They now have to present a good festival without too much overlap of the lineup from Langerado. And Coachella. And Wakarusa. And Lollapalooza. And Pitchfork Festival. Etc. Etc.

I understand that the jam band community believes that many of the same bands will be able to sustain MANY festivals because the jam element allows them to keep it fresh. With that said, can anyone see that, in assuring economic success (and thereby solidifying the festival's presence the following summer for you and I to enjoy), the festival folks have a vested interest in putting out a unique, or at least distinctive lineup from the rest of their competitors? Maybe even a lineup that is distinguishable from that of the summer before? Because...in reality...whether they are the same weekend or not, these other festivals are competitors. After all, most of us can't afford to go to every festival every summer.

There seems to be at least some grumbling for some of the bands that have played summers past, or bands that are playing other festivals. I just thought this was something to consider. I love the festival scene, and I think it's time to give credit where credit is due for the vast amount of expansion we've seen in the past few years, and the fantastic quality of many of these festivals. I, for one, want these festivals to continue to present a wide variety of music, new and old, jam and indie, hip hop and bluegrass, etc. In the mean time, I'd love to see this very supportive community continue to contribute to these festivals not only by presenting but by coming to boards like these and putting ideas for new music out there.

I'm so pleased to see so much general acceptance of other genres. It's exciting, and it's this sense of community that's going to continue to encourage growth and experimentation in music. And that growth, my friends, is the very reason I go to these festivals.

Ok...that's my thoughts on the matter. Sorry if they're a bit incoherent. Anybody else have any thoughts on the future of the festival scene? That... and cold beer and dancing.