Four Festivals For The Price Of ONE???
We are a huge fan of independent festivals- we’ve got a special love in our heart for them. They are vibrant communities built on passion, creativity, and shared experiences—but they don’t come without challenges. Four festival founders—Mikey Lion (Desert Hearts), Brad Sweet (Same Same But Different – SSBD), Andrew Borgelt (Northern Nights), and Barnett English (Joshua Tree Music Festival)—have united for a roundtable on SSBD’s Different Paths podcast. With 2024 bringing the most festival cancellations since 2020, these founders discuss their journeys as festival owners, the challenges they face in keeping them alive, and how music lovers are playing a crucial role in preserving the spirit of independent festivals.
The episode also marks the launch of the indepenDANCE Pass. For the true festival adventurer, this pass is the golden ticket to four of the best independently-run west coast festivals, all for just $599. With an unbeatable value of over $2,000, this extremely limited, non-transferable pass grants fans access to a year of music, magic, and community. What a great way to support the festivals and get a fantastic deal too.
“Independent festivals have always been about community, and now we’re taking that to the next level. We pour everything we have into creating spaces where people can truly connect, dance freely, and experience something real, and now we’re uniting to create something bigger than any one festival, a collective that strengthens the entire scene and gives our community more access, more connection, and more unforgettable experiences across the festival season. By coming together, we’re making sure independent festivals don’t just survive, but evolve and flourish for years to come.” – Brad Sweet |
The podcast dives into a candid conversation about the rising costs and financial risks threatening independent festivals, how the pandemic reshaped festival culture and attendance patterns, and the challenges of booking artists against major corporate festivals and radius clauses. Additionally, the founders also discuss why early ticket sales are critical to the survival of independent events and how these festivals foster real human connection—something that feels more important than ever. Looking ahead, they explore the future of independent festivals and how fans can be an essential part of keeping the spirit alive. You’ve got to buy those tickets early to ensure the festivals still happen.
“Independent music festivals play a HUGE role as a platform for artists to hone their craft and unfurl their creations. Not just musicians, but visual artists as well. And on a higher level – the human interaction and deep connections made while camping outdoors for multiple days and nights (and being inspired by the music) is crucial to humanity. The capacity for collective joy is encoded into us almost as deeply as the capacity for the love of one human for another. Now, more than ever, we need these rich, rehumanizing experiences.” – Barnett English
By coming together for this raw and honest discussion, these festival owners are shedding light on the passion, perseverance, and collaborative spirit needed to keep independent festivals thriving.
Don’t miss this eye-opening episode of The State of Independent Festivals—a must-listen for festival fans, artists, and anyone invested in the future of live music. Four festivals for the price of one!