UK: Since Perfect Storm first launched in the summer of 2014, it has been helping educate, advise, and implement weather safety procedures for live events and transportation around the world. The team’s intricate understanding of production, when paired with its experienced meteorologists, offers an unparalleled approach to combating and protecting against Mother Nature. More than most standard weather tactics, such as basic forecasts and weather websites, Perfect Storm works together with clients to optimise productivity during the most challenging conditions by offering an accessible team, as well as twice-daily personalised reports for each location. Valuing the importance of customer service,…
Author: Festival Insights
Mark Laurie is the Director of NCASS and has been with the business for six years. On a day-to-day basis he advises caterers, event organisers and street food traders on all areas of running businesses and events legally and safely. He also sits on a number of government panels, including the Business Advisory Group for the Food Standards Agency. At present he is spearheading the development of the NCASS Connect programme – working with EHOs and event organisers to create a food hygiene passport for businesses across the UK. Mark is a massive foodie and has a personal interest in…
SOUTH AFRICA: From its modest beginnings at the farm of the same name in 1994, OppiKoppi Festival has developed into an event that this year attracted 162 artists to perform over three days on seven stages, to around twenty thousand revellers. In 2015, OppiKoppi embraced the latest software technology in the form of ArrayProcessing, from d&b audiotechnik. This revolutionary function within the d&b ArrayCalc simulation software allows users to optimise the listening experience across an entire audience. By applying a combination of FIR and IIR filters to each individual loudspeaker within a d&b line array, ArrayProcessing achieves a common tonality…
UK: Following a first phase announcement that revealed a host of names across the electronic spectrum, We Are FSTVL has now revealed the second bunch of acts for its 2016 edition. Set to return to Upminster, Greater London on from May 28 – 29, the latest line-up additions include festival headliners Fatboy Slim, Steve Angello, Shy FX, Sub Focus, Todd Terry and Geddes – making its fourth edition the biggest to date. Kicking off an array of stellar DJs that have been intrinsic to dance music’s trajectory is the legendary Fatboy Slim, who is confirmed to bring his incomparable party…
USA: For the second straight year, the 2015 Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Orlando featured a Meyer Sound LEO Family loudspeaker system on its main stage. One of the most important electronic dance music (EDM) events on the East Coast, EDC Orlando showcased some of the biggest names in EDM including Tiësto, Calvin Harris, Kaskade, and Eric Prydz. The artists played to a sold-out audience of 60,000 over two days at Tinker Field. “My first reaction to LEO is that I was working in front of a system unlike any other,” said Fabrizio Piazzini, FOH engineer for international EDM superstar Calvin…
CARIBBEAN: The debut edition of SXMusic, set to take place on the Caribbean island of St. Martin from March 9 – 13, has announced its third wave of acts and brand partners. The festival prides itself on its carefully curated line-up – featuring the world’s best DJs – playing extended sets in special locations. Rebolledo, DJ W!ld, The Mekanism, Gab Rhome, Gardens Of God, Oceanvs, Orientalis, Mia Lucci, Chaim, Demi, Greg Piddock, Jade, Vanjee, Sleepy & Boo are now set to join the inaugural event, joining artists from key labels and collectives like Diynamic, Life And Death and Lee Burridge’s…
USA: Coachella – or the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival if you’re not into the whole brevity thing – will return from April 15 – 17 and April 22 – 24 in Indio, California. Rumours that a reunited LCD Soundsystem and a reformed Guns ‘n’ Roses would headline have turned out to be true. Oh, and Calvin Harris will be there too. The colossal line-up also includes Sufjan Stevens, Death Grips, Nosaj Thing, Run the Jewels, Ice Cube, Grimes, Flume, Beach House, A$AP Rocky, Purity Ring, Vince Staples, HEALTH, Hudson Mohawke, Kamasi Washington, Skepta, SOPHIE, Baauer, M83 and many…
SPAIN: Benicassim has announced seven additional acts for its 2016 edition, alongside the already announced Thursday night headliner, Major Lazer. 11-time Grammy nominated Kendrick Lamar has firmly established himself as rap’s new superstar and will showcase his unparalleled ability and powerful wordplay in his debut headline performance at Benicàssim in 2016. Following the great success of his debut solo album and Mercury nominated ‘In Colours’, Jamie XX will be bring a live show every bit as jaw dropping as the album. Festival favourites The Maccabees will be making a return to FIB after an incredible set back in 2012, bringing…
Brett Baber is the co-founder of Stradisphere Music Festival, a community music festival in the rural county of Suffolk. Brett specialises in artist development and local talent. A former musician and performer in his own right for touring British indie bands, Brett then started his own promoting and record label for talent in East Anglia. He has since turned his attention to music festivals, promoting local musicians and liaising with already existing promoters and agents. There is a growing trend towards small festivals, or what I like to call micro festivals, that have an attendance of under 2,000, which allows…
UK: An Eventbrite survey of the UK public’s favourite local events suggests that mobile / in-app tickets are considerably more popular than they are prevalent. Just 4.82% of respondents received mobile / in-app tickets for the last music event that they went to, while 19.47% of respondents said they would rather have them, rising to 20.05% amongst 30 – 44 year olds and 21.51% amongst 18 – 29 year olds. The survey also explored how people listen to musical acts before going to see them live. Some of the key findings are as follows. Nearly 20% of respondents prefer mobile/in-app…