Rock festivals are one of the favorite holiday destinations for lovers of heavy music. In the warmer months, around the world, young people regularly gather in one place to relax and see their favorite artists live.
Such festivals have long gone beyond the scope of a regular music show, turning into a whole subculture. Fans from all over the world come to the most important concerts of the year.
Origin
The first rock festivals began to take place more than fifty years ago. Initially, they were very different from modern ones. Groups unknown to the masses took part in them. And the organization and conduct of the festival itself was not controlled by the authorities.
However, after ten years, the situation has seriously changed. Rock festivals began to attract more and more young people. An unlimited amount of alcohol was sold during the show. Also, some people brought drugs with them.
The drive atmosphere caused by heavy music, as well as the state of mass intoxication, often led to disastrous consequences. The excited young people behaved quite aggressively, getting involved in fights and arranging acts of vandalism. Various items often flew into the arrived police.
Unstoppable fun
Not a single festival took place without the detention of several dozen people and calling an ambulance. Therefore, law enforcement agencies gradually began to take rock festivals under their control. But security is not the main reason that prompted the authorities to take such a step.
Large corporations and enterprising people have noticed that tens of thousands of people gather annually. And this means a huge opportunity for profit.
The first commercial festivals began. Some company paid royalties to musicians and dealt with other organizational issues. For this I made a good profit from the sale of tickets and retail on the spot. After some time, rock festivals in the United States took a very important place in the socio-cultural environment. The dream of almost every teenager was to attend such an event.
In addition to classical festivals, there are also charity ones. They first appeared in the eighties, during the spread of pacifist ideas among young people. The American invasion of Vietnam has become a kind of catalyst for radical movements. Concerts began to be arranged in support of world peace or to help sick children, and so on. As a rule, the initiator was one rock band. The festival was scheduled a few months before the date. During this time, other groups could apply for participation.
Carrying out
Usually a festival lasts several days, usually three. To avoid misunderstandings with the local population and other problems, the show takes place in a desert area, away from the city agglomeration. Summer rock festivals have high safety standards. The organizers are obliged to provide water to all visitors and have medical personnel.
At a rock festival usually perform artists similar in genre. For example, at the Hellfest fest, bands playing in the genre of mosh beatdown hardcore are performing. Thus, the event attracts the largest number of fans in this direction. Since rock music often carries a social or political context, festivals often gather as a protest against something. So, in the eighty-ninth year in Moscow was the famous "Musicians for Peace", bringing together tens of thousands of people.
Possible problems
Those who are going to attend such an event should remember that it is fraught with a number of dangers.
Since the venue of the show is located far beyond the city, it is necessary to take as much water and non-perishable food as possible. There will be shops and
stalls in place, but the line to them can stretch for hundreds of meters. Similar problems regularly accompany Invasion. The rock festival has been held for more than seven years, and during this time many unpleasant situations have occurred. Several times there were problems with water that could not be delivered on time.
Tips for visitors
It is worth putting on the most comfortable clothes that will not fall off during active movements. At festivals such as Woodstock, mosquitoes often occur - an element of hardcore dancing, when a huge number of people run in circles, performing chaotic movements with limbs. If you have never participated in this, then it is better to stay away from the circle.
Also, put all your valuables in a bag or pockets with zippers, because in a frantic rhythm they can simply fall out. At some festivals, stage diving is allowed - jumping from the stage to the crowd. They are made by both musicians and those present. Jumping is usually not associated with great risk, but most likely you will lose your comrades. Therefore, before the festival begins, it is better to decide in advance on the venue in case of unforeseen situations.