You’re Going to a Festival (But You’re Not Playing).
Here’s How to Make It Count
You’ve got your festival ticket, planned who you want to see and probably looked at the lineup thinking:
“We should be playing that.”
Maybe next year you will.
But a festival can still be valuable for your music career even when you’re attending as a fan.
Festivals put thousands of music fans, artists and industry people in one place. They’re a chance to create content, make genuine connections, discover new artists and become more involved in the music community you’re trying to build a career in.
That doesn’t mean pitching your band to everyone you meet.
Go and enjoy yourself. Just keep your artist brain switched on while you’re there.
Create Social Media Content at the Festival
You don’t need to be on stage to create good music content.
Fans want to see the people behind the music too, and a festival gives you plenty to work with:
- The journey and arrival
- Setting up camp
- Festival survival tips
- Daily recaps
- Favourite bands
- Festival food
- Funny moments with your bandmates
- “Come to a festival with our band” videos
Don’t overthink it.
That 15-second clip of your drummer losing a fight with a tent might tell people more about your band’s personality than another polished rehearsal video.
Build a Content Bank
While you’re filming, think beyond what you’re posting that weekend.
Capture plenty of B-roll: crowds, festival entrances, campsites, flags, stages, merch stands, walking shots, sunsets and the atmosphere after dark.
Get plenty of footage of yourselves too.
A few months from now, those clips could become a Reel for a new single, gig announcement, lyric video, throwback post or Story.
LMSUK Tip: Film vertically, keep clips short and get a mixture of wide shots, close-ups and movement. You can always turn them into something later.
Network Without “Networking”
Forget the awkward elevator pitch.
Just talk to people.
Ask who they’re excited to see. Talk about the band you just watched. Share recommendations.
Festival crowds are full of musicians, photographers, promoters, radio presenters, festival teams and dedicated music fans.
If you recognise someone you’ve previously spoken to online, say hello. You don’t need to ask them for anything. A quick introduction means the next time your name appears in their inbox, there’s a real person attached to it.
And if you meet someone new? Have a conversation before telling them your entire band history.
Nobody wants to be aggressively networked at while they’re trying to eat chips.
Support Grassroots Music
Don’t spend the whole weekend looking at the artists on stage as competition.
Go and watch the smaller stages. Discover bands you’ve never heard of. If you like someone, support them.
Follow them. Tag them in your Story. Share a clip. Tell them you enjoyed their set.
You can turn those discoveries into content too:
- Three artists we discovered this weekend
- Bands you might have missed
- Our favourite festival discoveries
- Artists you need on your playlist
It gives your audience something new to discover while helping another independent artist reach more people.
And keep those connections going after the festival.
Support slots, gig swaps, collaborations and recommendations often start because artists genuinely know and support each other.
Grassroots music works better when artists support artists.
Wear Your Band Merch
Possibly the easiest bit of marketing you’ll do all weekend.
Wear your own merch.
Your band name is suddenly walking around a festival filled with thousands of music fans, and good merch starts conversations.
Someone might recognise you. Someone might like the design. Someone might simply ask:
“Is that a band?”
There’s your opening.
No sales pitch required.
Create Some Interactive Content
Festivals are also great for quick audience content.
Ask people:
- Who’s been your favourite band?
- What’s your number one festival survival tip?
- What’s the best set you’ve seen?
- Which artist should everyone check out?
You’re creating content while naturally meeting other music fans.
Just make sure anyone you film knows you’re filming and is happy for you to post it.
Pay Attention
Being in the crowd gives you something you don’t get when you’re performing: the chance to watch everything from a fan’s perspective.
What made you stop and watch an unknown artist?
Which merch caught your attention?
Which bands had people talking afterwards?
What made you immediately follow someone?
There’s a lot you can learn about your own live show, branding and content by paying attention to what works for other artists.
Don’t copy them. Work out why it worked.
And Actually Enjoy Yourself
Not every conversation needs to become a contact.
Not every moment needs to become content.
And not everyone wearing an industry lanyard needs to hear about your latest single.
Put your phone away sometimes.
Watch bands. Discover new music. Meet people. Support artists. Have a laugh with your bandmates.
Some of the best connections happen when you’re not trying to force them.
This year you might be standing in the crowd.
Next year, you might be on the lineup.
Either way, show up and be part of the community.
Need Help With Your Social Media?
Great music deserves to be seen as well as heard.
LMSUK is a social media agency for musicians, helping independent artists build their audience and work towards becoming full-time artists through content, strategy and real opportunities.
Our Essentials and PRO Social Media Management services give you a dedicated social team to help plan and create content, build a stronger online presence and grow your fanbase with strategies that work for you.
So whether you’ve got a camera roll full of festival footage and no idea what to do with it, or you simply want to take the pressure of social media off your shoulders, get in touch with LMSUK to find out how we can help.
