THE STATE OF INDEPENDENT Music FESTIVALS

Four festival owners come together to share their journey, the challenges they face, and how music lovers like you are keeping the spirit of independent festivals alive.

Joshua Tree Music Festival logo with stylized sunburst design.
"Same Same But Different" stylized text design in white on a black background.
Northern Nights Music Festival logo with stylized text and triangle symbol inside a circle.
"Desert Hearts" text logo with a heart symbol in the center.

WATCH IT NOW

"IndepenDance" written in light blue script

SOLD OUT! Thank you for your support and be sure to check out the podcast and sign up for updates from us in the future! We hope you have a magical festival season!

The IndepenDANCE Pass is the golden ticket to four of the best independently-run festivals, all for just $599. With an unbeatable value of over $2,000, this limited run, non-transferable pass grants you access to a year of music, magic, and community.

Included Festivals:
🔹 Joshua Tree | May 15-18 OR October 9-12 
🔹 Desert Hearts | July 3 - 7
🔹 Northern Nights Music Festival | July 18 - 20
🔹 Same Same But Different | Sept 26 - 28

These passes are extremely limited—once they’re gone, they’re GONE. Don’t miss your chance to dance freely, explore new sounds, and be part of the indie festival movement.

WHY WE ARE

DOING THIS?

Independent festivals are more than just events—they're communities, creative incubators, and transformative experiences that bring people together in a way mainstream festivals can't. But the reality is, the landscape is shifting, and many of these festivals are struggling to survive. Rising costs, post-pandemic shifts in audience behavior, and corporate consolidation are making it harder than ever for independent festivals to thrive.

We’re having this conversation because transparency matters. We want festival-goers to understand the challenges behind the scenes, the financial risks we take, and how their support (especially through early ticket sales and word-of-mouth) directly impacts whether these events continue. This is about more than just music; it’s about preserving spaces for connection, creativity, and culture.

  • More music festivals were canceled in 2024 than in any year since the 2008 recession and the 2020 pandemic shutdown.

    NPR, 2024

  • The cost of producing a festival has skyrocketed, with artist fees and logistics up 30–50% post-pandemic, squeezing smaller festivals out.

    Pollstar, 2023

  • Corporate giants Live Nation and AEG now control a massive share of the festival market, making it harder for independent events to compete.

    Music Business Worldwide, 2023

  • Indie festivals are disappearing at a higher rate than corporate-backed events, as they lack financial safety nets.

    Billboard, 2024

  • Artist booking fees have increased by 30–50% post-pandemic, making it harder for indie festivals to secure top-tier talent.

    Pollstar, 2023

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