Feature Series – Future(s) of Festivals

Using Barcelona’s vibrant scene as a background, Andrea Trinidad demonstrates how hyper-local events may be instrumental in revitalizing cities in post-vaccine times. Photo Credit © Sergio Albert.

A panorama on measures taken by European festivals to transition to a greener future by reducing their carbon footprint. With examples from different scales (and points of view), these organizers show us that solutions do exist, even if it means completely redefining live acts and festivals. Photo Credit © Maurice Mikkers.

A spyglass-like look towards a future where festivals retain their newfound digital features while also regaining the physical gatherings that used to be their only component, as told through the experiences and thoughts of İrem Erkin. Photo Credit © Jordi Sellas.

In light of recent shifts in the treatment of social issues within the western society as a whole, regarding representation, gender imbalances or inclusivity, Marco Salah El Din Tantawy from Ortigia Sound System Festival talks with Nur Al Habash, Charlotte Adigery and DJ Danielle whose thoughts and experiences embody these matters. Photo Credit © Ortigia Sound System.

New formats for festivals, merging smaller crowds with larger virtual programmation, may be the key to offer accessibility to all music enthusiasts. Through the stories of festival goers with disabilities preventing them from attending events, Natálie Zehnalová gives us perspective on a lasting positive impact the crisis may bring. Photo Credit © Maurice Mikkers.

In an optimistic piece, Isabel Roudsarabi reflects on what can be expected in the foreseeable future, for European event entities that have learned to enact sustainability, ecological and progressives policies out of necessity. Photo Credit © Sascha Krautz.

Through a roll call of Europe’s comics festivals, Nicholas Burman explores the issues the artistic scene is facing, whether it’s the decrease of consumer’s purchasing power or the artists’ fight for better standards of living. Photo Credit © Andrew Benge.

In this piece, Katarzyna Kwiatkowska (Oramics) raises questions on representativity of the Eastern Bloc’s creators within the electronic music worldwide community, and the disparity of treatment Eastern artists face compared to their Western counterparts. Photo Credit © Filip Preis.

After an extensive attendance of early pandemic’s livestream events, Caroline Sinders ponders on how new digitals tools and practices are reshaping event planning while also unfortunately preserving some systemic limits. Photo Credit © Helena Majeswka.

VR events like Lost Horizon and Soundscape’s Artist Link have provided live music alternatives during the pandemic; as events return, virtual reality festivals might just become the norm. Photo Credit © Lost Horizon.

Implementing political and social notions in a music festival for the younger ages ? This festival experiment shows it can also be child’s play. In this feature, Louise Robert illustrates the benefits of creating social spaces for the younger generation to explore. Photo Credit © Anne-Cécile Bonnet.

The CEO of Croatia’s Hideout Festival shares his cautious optimism on the future of festivals in Europe, the recovering years to come and new challenges following Brexit’s implementation. Photo Credit © Hideout Festival.