How to Avoid a Music Festival Disaster

How to Avoid a Music Festival Disaster  

Putting your business name on a music festival can give you great exposure. But as we’ve seen in real life examples, this can also backfire greatly. Take the case of the Fyre Festival in the Bahamas, which was promoted as a luxury experience but turned into a disaster. Abby Ohlheiser reported for The Washington Post that headliner band Blink-182 and others canceled just before the event, many of the tents for the event were not set up by the time guests arrived and other significant problems occurred. What should have been great publicity for the organizers turned into the wrong kind of exposure.

Obviously, you don’t want your company's name associated with a disaster. So here are some tips on how to avoid a music festival disaster and create a successful experience instead.

Work With an Experienced Team

It’s essential to have an experienced team working on a large event like a music festival. You either need your own experienced team or to work with a production partner who understands the nitty-gritty of how a music festival works and what is needed, down to every detail. Foremost, you need a strong management team who can organize and execute the event plans, with a system in place for potential problems.

Focus on Practical Needs

Putting on a music festival is not just about the music and the marketing. There is a lot of background work that needs to be done – and done right. You need to ensure you have the necessary power for the specific event, as well as access to water and proper management of waste. An experienced team will think about potential problems and make sure the logistics are capable of working out in the earliest stages before moving forward with a particular venue or the rest of the event planning. Event professionals told BizBash that they probably would not have continued with the Fyre Festival's location, at least not before consulting local professionals.

Start Small and Take It Slowly

Apparently the Fyre Festival planning started a few months before the event, and organizers ran out of time. Professional organizers take much longer to plan an event of this scale, beginning the process at least a year in advance. The Fyre Festival organizers also went full speed ahead with marketing, while event professionals normally would perform a soft launch in the beginning and try to gradually build interest and a reputation. By taking more time, you also have the chance to test your site, learn and grow in the industry and work on fitting your tactics with the right audience.

Be Prepared to Cancel

Sometimes you simply cannot get an event to work out. Planning and proper management will generally prevent the need to cancel an event but you need to realize when canceling is the only answer. Event professionals told BizBash that the Fyre Festival organizers should have canceled when they knew they couldn't fulfill their marketing promises.

When you perform proper planning and work with event professionals, you can prevent a music festival disaster and create an event that successfully promotes your brand.

Beyonce's Tour Sells Out and Brings Controversy

Mega pop star Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has become quite the controversial figure since Super Bowl 50. She used the big game as a platform to promote the Black Panthers and criticize police brutality. Beyoncé and her dancers donned black berets along with bandoliers during the performance. Yet her social activism certainly hasn't hit her in the pocketbook. Most of the stops on her upcoming Formation world tour have already sold out. The tour is scheduled to launch this month in Miami. It is the singer's first tour since her Mrs. Carter World Tour in 2013. Though most of the tickets to Beyoncé's tour sold out quickly, it appears as though she might run into some problems due to her willingness to take a stance against police corruption. Her alliance with the Black Panthers has resulted in the National Police Union, known as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), deciding to boycott the singer's upcoming concert in Miami. It will be interesting to see how security is handled at a show of this magnitude. The concert is scheduled to take place on April 26 in the Marlins Stadium. Beyoncé has refused to comment on the matter as of this article's publish date.

The Miami chapter of the FOP made the decision to boycott Beyoncé's Miami show through a democratic vote. The local union's president, Lieutenant Javier Ortiz, actually called on police officers across the country to boycott all of the Formation shows. The FOP believes that Beyoncé improperly used her Super Bowl 50 platform to spread what the police union describes as an “anti-police message”. Police across the country clashed with the Black Panthers during race riots that took place decades ago. Lieutenant Ortiz has not stated whether the boycott of Beyoncé's Miami concert is applicable to police officers across Miami, those who work in Dade county or only those who are members of the union.

Beyoncé's Formation World Tour will likely take place without a hitch. Beyoncé could hire private security for the event. It is also possible that enough police officers or non-union officers will make themselves available for the Miami show and any other shows that are boycotted by the police. Fans will undoubtedly have a blast at the show regardless of the political activism surrounding the tour. All in all, the tour's producer, Parkwood Entertainment, has sold just under one million total tickets. A number of shows have sold out in addition to the Miami date. The demand for tickets is so strong that seconds shows have been scheduled for May 28 at Chicago's Soldier Field and July 3 at Wembly Stadium in London. Fans who want to put a positive twist on the somewhat negative energy surrounding the show can do so by participating in the singer's #BeyGOOD initiative designed to support Miami's United Way program. Be sure to follow @beygood on Twitter to learn more.

Flash Mobs for marketing

Picture this- You are out for walk in the Wynwood District during Art Basel Miami Beach. Your senses are taking in the artistic flavor of the graffiti filled walls and the colorful people from all over the world. As you walk between the art galleries in Miami you start to notice a crowd of people wearing similar garb, as you look even closer you notice that each and of them are wearing a sparkling white glove on one hand. You hear a familiar beat coming from a boom box that has been placed on the ground and in an instant the recently noticed crowd of people burst into a simultaneous moon walk.

You have just witnessed a Flash Mob.

Flash mobs are a great way to grab the public’s attention and companies around the world are now recognizing them as a great marketing tool. Many global brands around the planet are producing their own flash mobs to promote their company, product or event. Take for example a flash mob sponsored by Trident Gum which featured a performance by 100 women in leotards and heels dancing perfect choreography to Beyonce’s Single Ladies in Piccadilly Circus in London to promote a free concert sponsored by the brand.

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Look for a venue in Miami to rehearse for your next flash mob? Contact us at Soho Studios. Soho Studios is an event space in Miami that offers 65,000 square feet of space. Our versatile 65,000 square foot facility has been used for music festivals, fashion shows, and is a known venue for Art Basel Miami Beach. Our list of worldwide customers includes Ford Motor, Absolut, Telemundo, Evian and Puma.

Avoid Event Planning mistakes

Sure, there are many available spaces to host a party in Miami but how can you select the best one for your events and avoid the common pitfalls that other promoters fall into due to lack of preparation or understanding? Read on for some tips regarding the art of event management and how to stand out amongst the sea of promoters that are battling for the crowds of spectators from all around the city.

Party planners in Miami should regard their date with all the attention of a Tiger Mom. Selecting the perfect time to hold your event has many factors that must be considered. For example, do you have a particular act or group of performers you wish to book for the event? Considering they’re scheduling well in advance will help to avoid conflicts and save a lot of frustration down the road. Everyone wants to have fun and you set the tone.

Many of the venues in Miami have intensely busy schedules which means that the management there need to operate in a quick and efficient manner to maximize their own output. Give them a hand by front-loading the preparations on your end by doing your research. Fleshing out the ideas and concepts you want to integrate for your event by documenting them makes the communication easier too. If you can present a solid package of information for all the parties involved it can help to eliminate confusion and backtracking to bring new people up to speed when the time comes.

Try to avoid becoming a micro-management madman because while you might get your first event to go off decently, people may look to other outlets for their next outing after a bad experience. If you have put the right team in place to aid in the tasks that require attention then you should learn to trust in their ability to complete the assignments you have delegated to them.

Live music venue in Miami

There are plenty of live music venues in Miami but not all of them can offer the excellent setting and service that Soho Studios is known for around the Miami-Dade region. We love putting on music festivals in Miami and have the best resources to meet your needs. Read on to find out more about why your concert will be considered epic if you decide to put on your show at Soho Studios.

There are many factors to consider when selecting an event space in Miami, once you decide on a lineup you should start thinking about what numbers you need to achieve to be successful and selecting a venue that can support your vision. There are plenty of Miami venues out there but it is about putting on the best presentation possible and we can assist the process. Reputation and buzz are clutch components for packing the house.

There are a many different choices of party venues in Miami. The choice you make reflects upon your efforts and the outward style that people interpret about your company or performers. Do not get stuck inside a low quality venue that scares away the fans. Bands and performing artists like playing to big crowds. Those people want a safe venue with great sound. Plus, if you can offer something unique about the event then that date can become a truly memorable experience for all the attendees. Make sure your promotions stick out in their mind and memory by getting your show into the best venue possible.

Thanks for reading, we hope this has helped to inform you about our event space and helps to clarify your choice. Contact us regarding the specifics of your live show and we can help you cover all the bases in terms of the venue from our angle. We will help you to produce some awesome shows that will keep your crowd talking and excited for the next event!

Would you buy concert tickets from Facebook?

For years concert promoters have recognized that concert tickets are best sold by word of mouth. With the Facebook Buy Ticket button, word of mouth ticket sales have taken a big stride with social media.

Facebook’s Buy Ticket button allows music lovers to buy concert tickets right from their Facebook page. The online ticket sales app will post the purchase to the user’s news feeds, and allow them to invite others to the show. The app promises to spread the word of tickets sales online more quickly through the social media giant.

Not only is the app expected to help promote and sell concert tickets, but it also is tied in with Spotify. This relationship tracks the type of music the Facebook user is interested in and can make them aware when artists they listen to will be performing in their area. This particular application also ties in the "likes" of a Facebook user, making it a powerful marketing tool especially when used for lesser known artists who do not get mainstream press.

At Soho Studios, we are the premier concert and event space Miami has available. While there are lots of party venues Miami offers, our facility has a staff experienced in setting up every type of concert, from intimate acoustical performances to arena style shows. Our 65,000 square foot, versatile facility located in Miami’s trendy Wynwood District, has been host to shows like Art Basel Wynwood. Soho Studios is even used as a photography studio Miami photographers have come to rely on for our creative use of space. Our list of worldwide customers includes Ford Motor, Absolut, Telemundo, Evian and Puma.

If you are considering staging or promoting a concert in South Florida and selling tickets online, consider employing use of the Facebook Buy Ticket button, and consider working with us at Soho Studios. From planning through promotion through post-concert wrap-up, we will be there to help make all your events in Miami a success.

Sound for all types of events

When putting together audio for your event it is important to consider what sort of experience you will be putting in front of your audience. Event production is a craft that requires fine skill matched with detailed information given ahead of time to achieve to best results. A sound engineer can work magic when backed into a corner but like any other trade, the more prepared they are going in then the better the results will be coming out the other side. If possible, try to give them a Technical Writer with your sound requirements well ahead of your event.

Selecting the correct type of sound system for a live show, electronic act or keynote speaker is vital to good production. Selecting a sound engineer with the right equipment is crucial. Utilize the sound system that is supposed to be used with your particular type of event. For example, choosing the PA for a keynote presenter at a convention will be different than the PA you would need for a performance based act, such as a live band or DJ.

It is important to match your audio needs for all events including functions such as trade shows and conferences.  Although many party venues in Miami come with in-house sound production, not all of the venues in Miami will. In this case you will need to hire a mobile sound production companies. Most sound production companies are equipped to handle everything from live music, DJ’s, corporate events and various other types of events.

Your guests and attendees should be talking about the night for a long time to come, this means that the event production has to be flawless. Hire a professional sound engineer for your event that understands everything from your equipment needs to the acoustics of the venue.

A professional audio experience will have the audience focusing on the event. A negative one will have them talking about the poor production value at your event. Make sure the hype is positive! It can make all the difference to your sonic landscape.

How to shoot a music video

In a world where content is king, video is king of content. Even pod casts are frequently shot on video because people want to see their entertainment. A music video puts you on display. It immediately creates a soapbox to spread your message from that people will flock to and share. Videos go viral. They reach eyes and ears that you'd never reach on your own.

It used to be that MTV was the only place to get seen, and that meant the backing of a major label, critical buzz and a whole lot of luck. With the rise of the internet, YouTube, Vimeo and other services if you're planning a video shoot in Miami not only will you have access to some of the most over the top party venues Miami has to offer you'll have hundreds of thousands of eyes waiting for you.

But you're an artist. You're a voice. You probably don't know how to shoot a music video like Pitbull. You need video production source of expertise and ability. Music video directors may not win Oscars, but they work very tightly. When you see a dozen women having fun and spraying champagne all over each other in a club with a laser light show in the background nothing happening in the scene is spontaneous.

From another angle that same set might be a completely different location. Most music videos are shot very quickly. Getting the most out every location is an amazingly valuable tool. Every angle needs to be captured and every jump cut, insert and cutaway needs to be shot. "What do you mean we didn't get that?" is not a good mantra in the editing room.

A choice of Miami video production offers some of the world’s most sophisticated and exciting clubs, beaches, boats and even dazzling architecture. This city of bright lights, culture and physical enjoyment is a fine marinade for inspiration. Good videos have made songs for you, and they've made them for your audience. Video remains king.

The 9 Mile Music Festival

Who's experienced the magic of the 9 Mile Music Festival? This premiere event features several of the world's most talented reggae musicians, all gathering in the heart of Miami to celebrate great music and a great community.

9 Mile Music Festival Lineup

The lineup for the 9 Mile Music Festival includes several of today's hottest hip hop and R&B artists. The line up has features such class acts as Mavado, Patrice Roberts, Captleton, 2 Chainz and Konshens. Perhaps the biggest draw, however, is the presence of the famous Marley brothers. These musical brothers are known for their vast talent and infectious stage presence, and of course being the offspring of the icon of reggae music Mr. Bob Marley.

Commitment To Charity

While good music could be seen as reason alone to attend the 9 Mile Music Festival, there are plenty of other ways in which this is a worthwhile event. For one, unlike other events taking place at party venues in Miami, the 9 Mile Music Festival has made a huge commitment to helping those in need. During its 20 years of existence, the 9 Mile Music Festival has successfully collected over two million canned goods for the less fortunate. These canned goods are distributed among various shelters in both Miami and Jamaica. The 9 Mile Music Festival will continue to gather plenty more cans of food in the future, as attendees are now required to bring in four cans each.

Miami has long been a center for cultural gatherings, including the Art Basel Wynwood and, of course, the 9 Mile Music Festival. A number of attendees find themselves in need of an event space Miami style or a photography studio Miami. These functions are well-suited to the beautiful Soho Studios event space, where people from all over the world gather to celebrate accomplishments or simply kick back and enjoy themselves. If you're on the hunt for a great event space to use before, during or after the 9 Mile Music Festival, you won't find a better fit than Soho Studios.

Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival

For those who enjoy the soulful sound of jazz, the Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival is an excellent chance to get away with friends and family and spend the weekend relaxing. The festival has a reputation of bringing together a star studded line up and enjoyment for all.

The Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival will be held the weekend of March 16 and 17, 2013 in Miami Gardens at Sun Life Stadium, located at 347 Don Shula Drive in Miami Gardens, Florida. The show is being presented by Uptown Magazine and will be hosted by Michael Baisden.

Those who are traveling from out of town may appreciate the effort the show organizers have gone through to put together several travel packages involving hotel stays in the local areas. These packages include various discounts on amenities and the chance to have a luxurious weekend away from home. Previous festivals have been attended by tens of thousands of people from as far away as Canada and the Caribbean as well as all over the United States.

This year the artists scheduled to perform include Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, who has written and produced music for artists such as Pebbles and Paula Abdul and has also worked with Whitney Houston and Boyz II Men. The eight time Grammy nominee, Fantasia, is also going to perform. Ne-Yo, or Shaffer Chimere Smith, is an R&B recording artists who has written many famous and popular songs, such as “Let Me Love You”, which was performed by the singer Mario. He has also written songs for Beyoncé Knowles and Mary J. Blige. Monica, who has received a Grammy Award in addition to multiple nominations, is excited to perform as well. Earth, Wind & Fire, who helped form a new brand of pop that is immersed in African American style, will join the other popular and famous artists listed. Other artists will include Mary Mary, Rachelle Ferrell, Najee, New Edition, and Charlie Wilson, all of whom have carved out a name for themselves in the music business.

The show promises to be an exciting and fun event for all local and tourists who flock to Miami to enjoy it. It is a wonderful way to spend a weekend while losing yourself in the music.