Music festivals are one of the great fashions of this last decade. Although they already exist as a massive social event since the Egyptians , it was from the 20th century onwards that this phenomenon began to become for many a periodic appointment worth noting on the calendar year after year.
It was probably the Woodstock Festival (United States) that catapulted the popularity of these meetings. Since then, and especially in the last 6 years , big bets like Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza or Rock in Rio, among others, have managed to attract hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. However, this can be a problem for many; That is why the Boutique Festivals are born.
Numbers 3 and 5 are examples of Boutique Festivals: The 5 weirdest and craziest music festivals in the world.
What are Boutique Festivals?
As the name suggests, Boutique Festivals are small-scale festivals. The word “Boutique” comes from French and its translation would be something like “small store” . But today this concept is used for other types of stores that keep the same basic characteristics.
Normally boutiques, as it is understood in French, are usually small establishments that sell clothing or items related to fashion such as jewelry. In addition, they usually belong to exclusive firms with much shorter runs, which gives the buyer exclusivity in what he acquires.
Relating it, now yes, with the music festivals, the Boutique Festivals are those festivals that have the characteristics of the classic French Boutiques : for a small group of people, exclusive, particular, not for all tastes , with a very aesthetic and style. defined. Something that few people can afford, but not because they are very expensive, but because they have little capacity.
What is the difference with other festivals?
Unlike the well-known macro-festivals, these are characterized by being aimed at a much smaller public. No ultra-crowded places where not even a pin fits . Quite the contrary, open spaces where you can move and feel free and comfortable.
This has great advantages and attracts the second big difference, the location. While the big music festivals have huge esplanades to set up the stages and welcome the public, the Boutique Festivals are usually located in smaller but privileged places , such as in the mountains, in the middle of a forest, on a small island, etc. . They are usually cozy corners in the middle of nature.
The content is also very different. Unlike the big ones, these mini-festivals have many more activities, and not only related to music, but also to the arts.usually. Each festival will have its style, but you can find almost anything. Whether it’s mud wrestling, yoga and meditation classes or circus activities, you’ll be able to find the perfect activity for you.
The music, which continues to be the great attraction of the festival, although it is usually more alternative and varied than in traditional festivals, you can find all kinds of music. From jazz and soul, to electronic and rock, just like normal festivals, the variety of genres is very wide, but with one condition, commercial songs are very restricted, whatever genre they are.
These festivals have the advantage that you will be able to meet magnificent artists who are often in the shadow of the most famous superstars, but who have equal or even greater musical talent. In addition, the stages are usually smaller and at the same level as the dance floor, which is ideal if you want to see the artist very closely and greet the artist .
In short, these small festivals provide a true escape from the stress of daily life and excessively crowded cities. The Festival Boutiques are for all those who are looking for a nice place, with good music and a good vibe with the rest of the attendees (something difficult if you go to a place with 100,000 people, but easy if there are a few hundred).
why is it so fashionable
The criticisms towards the big music festivals accumulate year after year, but paradoxically their popularity continues to increase parallel to their criticisms. This is due in part to social networks, which manage to emit an image of idealism that often does not match reality.
If you have problems with the organization of a supermassive festival where tens of thousands of tickets have been sold, it is very difficult for them to correctly attend to your problems in the case of having them.
The avalanches of people are usually annoying, the endless queues, the eternal distances and the prison-style bathrooms, combined with the summer heat (dates on which these festivals are usually held) will cause defensive constipation in more than one.
The music, which should be the precious stone of these festivals, often fails too. Live shows that leave much to be desired, DJs who bring their sessions from home and just press the “play ” button, artists who make appearances that last for the blink of an eye produced by a sneeze…
In short, paying for a festival (and its difficult accommodation) to feel that this is not made for you, but to try to equally satisfy thousands of people, who actually have different tastes. Many will go to take a photo and show off, others to drink and get drunk , but very few will enjoy the spirit of the festival and the good music, but it is normal, because these are almost non-existent.
That is why the Boutique Festivals arise,for true lovers of quality, those who do not need to flood social networks with photos and prefabricated phrases, but just enjoy the moment, live a unique experience surrounded by similar people with whom to connect. Because quantity is antonym of quality.
