Multi-day music festivals have transformed from grassroots gatherings into massive cultural events that shape entire economies. What started as a niche experience in the 20th century has become a global industry, drawing millions of attendees annually. Today, festivals like Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival, Glastonbury, and BottleRock define the modern-day live music experience, blending music, art, and immersive environments. But where did multi-day music festivals originate? How did they evolve into the destination events they are today? Let’s explore the origins, growth, and economic impact of these festivals, with a special focus on one essential element: tenting.

Original site of Woodstock 1969.
Photo by: Donny Vasquez
Date: 6/24/2015

The Birth of Multi-Day Music Festivals

The concept of multi-day music festivals has deep roots, with early versions dating back to ancient Greece, where festivals combined music, theater, and communal celebration. However, the modern version of multi-day music festivals really took shape in the mid-20th century. The Newport Jazz Festival, founded in 1954, and the Newport Folk Festival, launched in 1959, were among the first music gatherings in the U.S. These events set the stage for the countercultural explosion of the 1960s, culminating in Woodstock in 1969. Woodstock, with its three days of peace and music, became the prototype for future multi-day music festivals, proving that large, open-air music events could attract hundreds of thousands of attendees.

From Counterculture to Cultural Mainstream

While the 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of genre-specific festivals, it wasn’t until the 1990s and early 2000s that multi-day music festivals became mainstream.  Audience make up extended beyond the niche subcultures of the genre as the event became about the experiece. Events like Lollapalooza (originally launched in 1991 as a traveling festival) and Glastonbury (which started in 1970) helped solidify the model of multi-day immersive experiences. The turning point came in the early 2000s with the explosion of events like Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Electric Daisy Carnival. Between 2000 and 2010 these festivals started to attract global attention. The rise of social media propelled music festivals into cultural phenomena. Social influencers and celebrities make these events aspirational experiences. By the 2010s, music festivals were firmly cemented as destination events, drawing attendees from the worlds of fashion, Hollywood, and music.

Attracting More Than Listeners

Music festivals are no longer just about live music; they are about creating an entire world within a few days. Leading festivals include Coachella in California, Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Electric Forest in Michigan, Outside Lands in San Francisco, BottleRock in Napa Valley, and the legendary Glastonbury in the UK. These festivals attract hundreds of thousands of attendees, with Coachella alone bringing in over 250,000 people across its two weekends. Electric Daisy Carnival attracts more than 500,000 attendees over three nights. Glastonbury, which spans five days, hosts a staggering 200,000 festival goers. Each festival curates a distinct atmosphere, from Coachella’s desert bohemia to Electric Forest’s woodland fantasy, creating unique experiences that keep fans coming back year after year.

Mobile app development for multi-day music festivals helps attendees access important information to enhance their overall experience.

The Ultimate Modern Festival Experience

Today’s music festival experience is about much more than just seeing live performances. It’s about immersion—art installations, interactive spaces, themed stages, gourmet food experiences, and high-end amenities. Many  festivals now offer VIP areas, glamping options, and digital enhancements.

There has been advances in the development of festival apps to help attendees navigate these  intricate schedules and massive event spaces. The apps also connect social media apps, connecting attendees, driving online conversations and allowing for many to virtually attend. Social media, Fashion, technology, and music have elevated multi-day music festivals into lifestyle events. Every moment is crafted to be “Instagrammable,” further fueling festival FOMO and ticket demand. Brands leverage for festival space with big dollars invested in major marketing activations. From Ferris wheels at Coachella to the surreal neon-lit landscapes of Electric Daisy Carnival, multi-day music festivals are designed to be sensory overloads. 

Economic Power Drivers

The financial impact of these types of events extends far beyond ticket sales. Festivals generate billions in revenue annually, with Coachella alone raking in over $125 million per year. Glastonbury contributes nearly £100 million ($130 million) to the UK economy each time it takes place. Beyond direct revenue, these events fuel local economies through tourism, hotel bookings, restaurant spending, and job creation. Cities hosting major multi-day music festivals often see surges hotel and restaurant reservations. Nothing benefits local businesses like an influx of tourism dollars. The economic benefits are substantial. Some cities compete for the chance to host or retain large-scale festivals, recognizing them as powerful revenue drivers. And at the same time, cities feel the economic hit when one ends or moves.

A photo of a large crowd at BottleRock, a multi-day music festival held each May in Napa, CA.

The Role of Tent Rentals 

One of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of festivals is tenting. From vendor pop-up tents to massive VIP lounges, tents play an important part is the organization and layout of these events. General admission attendees rely on tented camping areas, while luxury glamping setups include air-conditioned safari-style tents. Vendors use tented booths for food, merchandise, and interactive experiences. Backstage areas activate structures for artist lounges and production teams. Large-scale tent rentals include double-decker, climate-controlled lounges, medical stations, and security hubs. Hospitality suites also find homes in tenting, offering levels of comfort one might expect based on the cost of the tickets. Without tents, the modern festival landscape simply wouldn’t exist. Tenting brings the order of infrastructure to the undeveloped sites that these types of festivals tend to occupy. 

The Future of Music Festivals

As festivals continue to evolve, they are becoming more experiential and technologically advanced. Virtual reality integrations, NFT-based ticketing, and AI-powered personalized schedules are just the beginning. Sustainability is also taking center stage, with multi-day music festivals implementing zero-waste policies, solar-powered stages, and water conservation initiatives. The festival industry shows no signs of slowing down, with new events emerging each year to cater to niche audiences. Whether it’s a city-based festival like Outside Lands or an immersive camping experience like Electric Forest, one thing is clear: music festivals drive culture in today’s world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Day Music Festivals

What Are the Most Popular Multi-Day Music Festivals?

• • Coachella. Held every spring in the Coachella Valley of Palm Springs.
  • Glastonbury. Taking place each August in England.
  • LollaPalooza. Kicks off the first two weekends of August in Chicago’s Grant Park

How Do Music Festivals Impact Local Economies?

• • Hotel Bookings generate tax revenue for cities.
  • Restaurant reservations
  • Local gig-economies like Uber, Lyft, AirBnB allow private individuals benefit from the increase in tourism to the cities hosting the events.

What Are the Best Tent Rental Options for Festival Organizers?

• • Large Clear-span structures
  • Double-decker Tent Structures to maximize the amount of people per square foot.
  • 10×10 and 20×20 tents. These are smaller, modular tents that are ideal for food and market vendors. 

What are some of the Multi-day Music Festivals that Made in the Shade Covers?

• • BottleRock. Providing all tent rentals to the event each year since it originated in 2013.
  • Outside Lands. Polo field food service tents and vip bungalows. 2016 and 2017
  • Afterschock/Goldensky. Official tent company since 2022.
  • Electric Forrest. Provided tenting for the 2014 event.