The impact of music festivals - Episode 97
Festival season is almost upon us. While that may immediately conjure up images of flower crowns and flowy skirts, the experience of attending a festival goes far beyond the outfits.
Music festivals have been a staple of creative expression for centuries, providing a collective space for artists to perform.
It is one of the few places where you can realistically catch a Kendrick Lamar set and an Ellie Goulding performance on the same day.
In this week's episode, I am diving deep into the world of festivals—a culture that deeply shaped my life in the 2010s.
We are covering everything from the ancient origins of these events to the modern-day influence of brands and influencers, plus some survival tips for those heading out to the desert or the city streets this year.
Create & consume:
What Austen is creating this week: 5 years in Hoboken reel celebrating the anniversary of the day we moved here!
What Austen is consuming this week: Paradise finale, so many thoughts my mind is exploding
In this episode:
Festival history: from ancient Greece to Burning Man
The concept of the music festival isn't a modern invention. The first known music festival actually took place in ancient Greece.
However, the blueprint for what we see today really took shape in the 1960s.
Pop music festivals became a way to celebrate youth culture, peaking with the legendary Woodstock in upstate New York in August 1969.
As the decades progressed, the vibes shifted:
The 90s brought us the grunge-fueled Lollapalooza in 1991 and the punk-rock energy of the Warped Tour in 1995.
The 2000s marked the birth of the modern era when Coachella launched in 1999, eventually becoming the blueprint for the contemporary festival experience.
Today, festivals generally fall into two categories: city-based events like Lollapalooza in Chicago or Life is Beautiful in Las Vegas, and destination festivals like Coachella in California or Burning Man in Nevada.
There is a unique magic to festivals, but they aren't without their challenges.
The biggest draw is efficiency. You get to see dozens of artists in one weekend.
Ticket bundles usually spread the cost across multiple days.
For context on how much the industry has changed, back in 2015—the last year I attended Firefly—my four-day general admission pass with camping cost $499.21.
However, it is rarely an intimate experience. You are dealing with massive crowds and often harsh environments, including extreme heat, dust, and bugs. The logistics of just getting to and from the grounds can be a massive headache.
Notable festivals to watch
If you are looking to build a bucket list, these are the heavy hitters:
Domestic: Coachella, Stagecoach, Gov Ball, Lollapalooza, Life is Beautiful, Burning Man, Bonnaroo, and Outside Lands.
International: Osheaga in Montreal and Glastonbury in the UK.
The 2026 circuit is already looking massive:
Coachella: Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, and Karol G are set to headline.
Stagecoach: Post Malone, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson lead the pack, with appearances by Diplo and Pitbull.
Sea.Hear.Now: This newer festival in Asbury Park features The Strokes, Mumford & Sons, and the Goo Goo Dolls this September.
My personal festival experiences
My heart belongs to Firefly Music Festival which took place in Dover, Delaware.
I attended for three years and saw an incredible range of artists: Ellie Goulding, Kendrick Lamar, Tom Petty, Cage the Elephant, Foster the People, and Vampire Weekend.
At the time, I was working at Free People, which was essentially the unofficial uniform for the event. I experienced both sides of the coin—camping for two years and staying in a hotel for one.
One year, I even got to shoot street style for Teen Vogue, which gave me a golden ticket to the press tent (and more importantly, phone chargers and VIP bathrooms).
I also had a chaotic Gov Ball experience.
My roommate at the time decided to head home before Lana Del Rey’s set, so she gave me her wristband and I rushed over.
Navigating the logistics of Gov Ball—the ferries and the pedestrian bridge—is a workout in itself, especially since there is no camping allowed on-site.
I also went to The Meadows one year in Queens just for a day and that had lots of chaos involved as well.
Survival guide: tips and tricks
If you are planning a trip this season, keep these tips in mind:
The meeting point: Cell service will fail you. Pick one physical landmark to be your group's "home base" if you get separated.
Prioritize your lineup: You likely won't want to be on your feet for 12 hours straight. Pick your "must-sees" and plan your arrival accordingly.
Do your homework: Look up bag policies and exit strategies in advance. Check Reddit or Facebook groups for realistic budgeting; between Ubers, merch, and $15 water bottles, the costs add up quickly.
Tech: Always pack a backup phone charger. Always.
Festival fashion, beauty, and the influencer effect
While vibes vary by genre, the general aesthetic remains boho and casual.
My number one rule: Choose comfort. Unless you plan on being there for less than four hours, wear sneakers or well-worn boots.
For beauty, think survival. Pack body wipes, use sweat-proof makeup, and wear plenty of SPF.
Hairstyles like slicked-back buns or braids are your best friend for keeping hair off your face. Don't forget the essentials: deodorant, a Megababe thigh stick, and mini hair elastics.
We also have to talk about the "influencer-ification" of festivals.
Brands now play a massive role, often sending creators to festivals in exchange for content.
Some brands even host events or rent out luxury villas nearby without actually offering admission to the festival itself, focusing purely on the "vibe" and parties.
Summary
As individual concert tickets become more expensive, I wonder if we will see more people returning to festivals as a "bang for your buck" alternative.
I'm also curious to see if festival fashion will continue to bleed into our everyday wardrobes.
Personally, I'm still looking to check Osheaga, Coachella and Lollapalooza off my bucket list.
What festivals are you eyeing this year? Let me know in the comments!
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