Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

4 Essential Tips for Organizing a Music Festival

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: June 16, 2015

Key Contacts

Back

Organizing a music festival isn’t as simple as setting up a stage and amplifiers in the closest park.

A venture such as this, is a business – and like any other – it requires plenty of attention and step-by-step planning to pull off effectively.

As the music industry model changes, festivals remain one way that hundreds, even thousands of fans can gather in a single place to enjoy performances by their favorite artists.

While consumers purchase their music differently and artists record their songs in new ways, the one constant is that fans want to see musicians play live and the talent is often more than willing to oblige. It may be the one business model in the music industry that is somewhat predictable.

Four Essential Steps

Still, setting up a festival isn’t all fun and games. Some fundamental steps in successfully organizing a music festival from the ground up are as follows:

  1. Create a foundation
    As mentioned earlier, a music festival is a business – and like any business, it will need a plan to survive. To set up that plan, assistance is crucial. Anyone who has prior experience in setting up a festival, an attorney who knows how to navigate any legal roadblocks and a source of funding can all help substantially. These should be people who are offering their wisdom and resources because they really do want to see this event in a community and watch it grow over time, the JP Music Festival noted in its guide to starting festivals. With their help, putting together a business plan should be as simple as regularly meeting and discussing ideas, and narrowing them down into an effective outline.
  2. Become a non-profit
    To make the entire process easier, it is beneficial to become a non-profit. This designation can help festival organizers pull in more donations as well as sponsorship opportunities. Though this requires slogging through some paperwork, ultimately, this will help a growing festival expand even more quickly. Companies will want to invest in sponsoring a non-profit music festival because the amount could be tax deductible and the action will surely get the brand on consumers’ minds.
  3. Find musicians who will perform for free
    It will be hard to pay for Jay-Z as a headliner for a festival that is just starting out. Depending on the funding situation, it could be hard to pay for anyone at all. For neophyte festival organizers, it’s useful to find musicians who are in the same situation and who are just as happy simply getting their names out there as they are receiving checks. Gather all of the performers’ contact information as well as stage plot requirements and be sure to keep them informed as far as protocol and itinerary. This way, all they have to do is show up the day of the festival, sound check and finally, perform.
  4. Learn about permits and other local restrictions
    One of the key obstacles in setting up a music festival is the local regulations. Obtaining permits can be a hassle – likely one that a lawyer can help you with, but a hassle nonetheless. Depending on where you are located, the permit process can change. For example, New York City requires permits for public performances. Use of loudspeakers, megaphones or stereos in a street performance requires a $45 permit, according to the city. Basically, any sort of special event requires a permit especially if the plan is to hold the festival in a park, for example.

Plenty of prior planning goes into organizing a music festival, but taking these proper steps makes it possible to set up a collection of performances virtually anywhere.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses post image

Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses

Merging two companies is a complex legal and business transaction. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process. However, like all M&A transactions, it is important to understand the legal nuances and proper due diligence in mergers and acquisitions. What Is a Short Form […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses"
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress post image

Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress

The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]

Author: Brian D. Spector

Link to post with title - "Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress"
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them post image

Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them

Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]

Author: Christopher D. Warren

Link to post with title - "Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them"
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox post image

President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox

On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]

Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh

Link to post with title - "President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!