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Summer Music Festivals in America Looking for Volunteers In 2023
When we spotted a tweet about A Summer Music Festivals in the USA it got me wondering. How many of those festivals would give out a free ticket if we were willing to pitch in and help them out?
The answer was six but last year we went to town and found nineteen for our newsletter, before giving up so we could hit send. For 2023, we suggest enquiring to the following festivals that have provided information for potential volunteers or will soon. Take a moment also to consider Clean Vibes. We keep seeing their name crop up for the after show clean up detail at several festivals. Another event services organisation is Austin based Fahntoosh Enterprises. Founded by live music enthusiasts, they list their current events here.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Apr 28-May 7) – The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival would not be possible without the help of the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who donate their time, energy and creativity every year to produce this authentic and world-renowned event. That, and a link to an application form and a phone number, is their website’s volunteer page.
High Sierra (Quincy, California. June 29-July 2) – There’s a limited number of volunteer positions available, where you can get involved before the festival as a street team rep or during the festival with shifts in the merchandise tent, beverage booths, or box office. Clean Vibes handle the clean up. Miller Event Management deals with traffic and parking.
Electric Forest (Rothbury, Michigan. June 22-25) – Volunteering is done through the FanStaff program, an opportunity to get music industry and work experience in live events.
Joshua Tree (California. May 18-21 & Oct 5-8) – Here’s a chance to get involved in a work exchange on the edge of the Mojave Desert. 16 hours earns a four day pass. Healers, bodyworkers and yoga instructors can also join in. A small number of unpaid production apprentice positions are available for those interested in learning the ins and outs of festival life.
Maha (Omaha, Nebraska. July 28-29) – Volunteer registration to be a beer rover, thirst quencher, Ferris Wheel concierge or laughs & snaps tent monitor will open in the spring.
Savannah Music Festival (Georgia. Mar 23-Apr 8) – Artist or patron hospitality and ushering are the main jobs assigned to volunteers during the festival.
BeachLife (Redondo Beach, California. May 5-7) – We couldn’t find any information on what the role entails but links are given to apply to the Beachcomber Crew.
Imagine Festival (Kingston Downs, Georgia. Sept 15-17) – We couldn’t find work exchange information for 2023 but the deal previously was in return for an event pass, camping and a jersey, volunteers put in shifts totalling 16 hours. You’ll pay for that jersey with a $25 non refundable application fee though. We suggest keeping an eye on this Facebook group for when 2023 information becomes available.
Sonic Bloom (Hummingbird Ranch, Colorado. June 15-18) – Applications to join the Street Team end March 15.
Lollapalooza (Chicago. Aug 3-6) – We couldn’t find any information about volunteering on their website but last year they were advertising for volunteers to manage guest services and hospitality. A post we wrote on our blog many years ago suggested volunteers must live in Chicago or the surrounding area but this could have since changed.
Northern Nights (Cook’s Valley Campground, California. July 14-16) – The festival grounds feature deep swimming holes, the largest Redwood grove used for camping, and plenty of space to stretch out. They’ve advertised previously via a volunteer match service for guest services and crowd management.
Great Blue Heron (Sherman, New York. June 30-July 2) – A new volunteer system is up and running to take applications.
Rooster Walk (Martinsville, Virginia. May 25-28) – Their volunteer information has been updated for 2023. Ask if working additional shifts earns a day pass for a friend. It used to.
Bonnaroo (Manchester, Tennessee. June 15-18) – Uses Clean Vibes for during and post show volunteers.
Life is Beautiful (Las Vegas, Nevada. Sept 22-24) – Their volunteer programme was named Inside Beautiful last year but this year the link is a dud. A beautiful attitude was required, along with A $20 non refundable volunteer application fee. They also use Clean Vibes.
XpoNential (Camden, New Jersey. Sept 22-24) – Volunteer information is yet to be published for 2023.
Nelsonville Music Festival (Ohio. July 21-23) – The festival is a couple of months earlier this year. Volunteer information for 2023 says two or three four hour shifts will earn a free weekend pass and a free camping pass.
Americanafest (Nashville, Tennessee. Sept 19-23) – Volunteer applications open up in the spring.
We went through the excellent Music Festival Wizard to research many of the festivals above so we could have kicked ourselves when we found they already have a section on festival volunteering. There are many more mostly US festivals listed there.
Photos courtesy of alaina buzas, Tammylo and John E. Lester
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