There’s something magical about summer that we’ve all witnessed. I call it the outside phenomenon. After months of rain and short days, sunshine and warmth call us all to get outside. What exactly? It doesn’t matter. That’s where the outside phenomenon comes in. Doing everything outside. Netflix dinners turn into picnics, relaxing cappuccino dates turn into iced latte walks, and listening to your favorite artists on Spotify turns into going to a festival.
Summer is here, and with it the exciting season of music festivals. From Tomorrowland to Pinkpop to Zwarte Cross, millions of music fans gather every year to experience the magic of festivals. But it’s not just the music that’s in full swing. Technology is playing a leading role in transforming these events. Here are some of the innovations you might encounter this festival season.
The magic of VR
Yes, virtual reality (VR) is making its way into the music industry. In fact, I think we can all agree that a big part of the festival experience is just being there. VR is a great comfort for fans who can’t attend in person. VR allows you to experience a live performance and a backstage tour from the comfort of your own home. This technology is making festivals more inclusive and accessible, providing an immersive experience for everyone.
Tomorrowland’s “Around the World” digital festival, held during the pandemic in 2020, was a groundbreaking event, allowing fans to explore a virtual stage and enjoy performances despite being in lockdown. Similarly, Travis Scott’s “Astronomical” concert in Fortnite attracted millions and demonstrated the power of VR to create unique and unforgettable experiences for those with the technology at home.
DGTL’s Innofest: Put a can in a robot and pee in it for fertilizer
These entrepreneurs tested their innovations on festival-goers, who said: “Peeing for charity can be a little uncomfortable.”
Smart Wristbands: The ultimate festival pass
Remember the days of handling paper tickets and fumbling around in your fanny pack for cash at a crowded festival? Yes, we do. Thankfully, those days are over. Enter smart wristbands equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. These wristbands streamline entry, purchasing, and locker passage, making your festival experience smoother and more secure. Tokens are obsolete.
With a simple tap of your wristband, you can gain access to the festival, pay for food and drinks, and buy merchandise. Wristbands are not only convenient, but they also provide additional security by allowing festival organizers to track your movements and effectively manage crowds. Plus, they make a great souvenir, right?
Drone: Party protector
Remember when you and your friends would first arrange an emergency meeting point in case someone got lost in the crowd? Back then there was no Google Maps and no way to know each other’s location. Those were the good old days of good old fashioned problem solving. Fast forward, and finding people has never been easier. At least for festival organizers who have drones!
These flying monitors provide a bird’s-eye view to ensure safety and efficient crowd control. They can quickly monitor large areas, helping to prevent incidents and manage emergencies more effectively. Since 2018, Coachella has employed drones to monitor the vast festival grounds, providing real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities. The technology enhances safety by allowing for rapid assessment and intervention, making large gatherings safer for all involved. At this time, the chances of a child getting lost in a supermarket may be higher than at the Bev Ridings Pop Festival.
Add a new dimension with AR
Augmented Reality (AR) is slowly making its way onto the festival scene, adding a dash of digital glamour to real-world music experiences. AR apps and features aim to transform the environment around you, creating interactive, immersive environments.
For example, Snapchat partnered with the world-famous Lollapalooza festival to bring an AR compass and friend finder for the event, adding a new twist to navigation and interaction. Gone are the days of declaring meeting points and panicking over losing your buddies. Other uses of AR include Coachella’s AR technology, which created an additional visual experience during the live stream.
Techno, rock n roll, pop or indie, one thing is for sure: technology is coming to your festival. Embrace the “outside phenomenon” and, by the way, embrace the new technology coming to your festival.
