While going to a festival alone can feel scary, it’s been one of the best experiences of discovery and community building for me. I def think these online spaces can be a great stepping stone, and be the thing to help get someone out if they’re feeling apprehensive. For Riot Fest, I went alone and found an online group for solo goers and ended up making friends with people who I still talk to daily 4 years later. An online facebook group for Foals inspired me to start playlist curating and got me overseas to attend my first international festival in Paris with people I had only exchanged DMs with in the past.
And of course, discovered a lot of new music! So if you’re in a place where you’re feeling disconnected from a music scene, investigate your online resources. They can help you find something new and perhaps be a thread that ties you to new opportunities and connections in the future
Oh and silly me forgot to mention I went to New Colossus by myself last year and it was awesome!!! The spine kept me away this year but I’m determined to make it out next 🫡
I love a good music Festival. For me, Newport Folk Festival is an absolute every year. The community there is just amazing. Last year at an aftershow, I got to see a house band with MJ Lenderman, Spencer Tweedy, and Brad and Phil Cook. Kim Deal was standing right next to me until she went on stage (and proceeded to tell MJ he was playing her song wrong, and teach him how to play it correctly). It's a space for collaboration sets, surprises, and one of kind experiences. I saw freaking Joni Mitchell there. The best.
Closer to this experience, Run For Cover records has put on a punk, hardcore, shoegaze, emo, etc. Festival called Something In The Way for the last couple of years that I've gone to. Small bands early work there way through to big headliners. Club experience. Loud and energetic. I'm old and short, so balcony for me, but big pit and aplenty of stage diving - which is fun to watch from above.
Anyway, a good fest leaves with highlights and lowlights, and new discoveries.
A Live Nation fest might be shitty at this point, but there's plenty of good ones out there. Big and small.
The NC fest is akin to what SXSW looked like in the ‘90s. Now, badges are unaffordable, entry to clubs not guaranteed, and music takes a back seat to tech and film industries. The Army had a recruiting center at the last convention hall I attended. Corporate interests squashed it into a no-fest festival. I hope NC uses it as a cautionary tale.
Been attending music festivals since the 80s and even got married at NOLA Jazz Fest in 1990... it's always been, for me, about discovering new music. Catch the early bands, hit the side stages, and skip the headliners!
Up here in Northeast Wisconsin, we have Mile of Music (https://mileofmusic.com/). Sounds like the same kind of thing as New Colossus. And it's awesome.
Reading this and seeing all the hubub in the discord definitely made me look into festivals like this in Canada! Please Canadians, share your recs with me.
You all articulated perfectly why I'm turned off by bigger, corporate music festivals! This all sounded so much more meaningful and memorable. Great read guys!
We have a festival in the downtown areas of at least three of the Quad Cities called Alternating Currents! It’s super fun! A lot of bands, but also comedians, films, a silent disco, and wrestling (🙄🤣). I’ve gone with a friend group over the past 2-3 years.
What a fantastic writeup and description of New Colossus. I couldn't get to the fest this year but have been to the prior 3 (covering it for wswalcottmedicineshow.com) and let me say you nailed the whole vibe perfectly. Now you've got me kicking myself for not fitting it in this year.
Yes to everything here! I go to a lot of small gigs (150 - 400 cap.) and the support bands are usually excellent. I always get down early. New Colossus sounds a lot like The Great Escape in Brighton which I really want to attend one day - although holiday and finances have so far prohibited a five day stretch in Brighton. I feel like I needed another poll to ask where do you *most often* find great new music because although my last discovery was through NBfOH discord (thank you!), live shows are often where I discover a new favourite.
I’m also going to shout out medium sized outdoor festivals. I can only speak for the UK but these can feel like real community events. There is so much going on and, if you happen to be on barrier at any stage, you’ll end up chatting to someone new and sharing music tips, especially if you are prepared to check out some smaller artists you’ve never heard of. Honestly, there is nothing I like better than listening to someone talking about the band or artist they are most passionate about! City centre festivals for smaller artists are also fantastic - even just day ones. I’m going to Ritual Union in Bristol at the end of this month which is only across 3 venues but has a great line up.
Let's go, Lou! This whole experience has really given me a lot more confidence about going to festivals where I know almost none of the artists. Personally I'm very interested in going to Punk Rock Raduno in Italy someday.
Learned something new today! Never heard of this before but as a former / early 2000s New Yorker I feel mad old now 🤣 Listening to the 2026 New Colossus playlist on Spotify and there’s some great stuff in there
Your description of the event reminded me of the CMJ and New Music seminars in the 90’s in NYC. It was exactly that running around to venues all over the city (way before streaming and the internet told you about a band) so discovery was what it was all about! I have so many wonderful memories of stumbling across a new band or being blown away by a band that I had heard about. It’s great to see that spirit recaptured today. I lament that younger people didn’t have that experience as you describe of finding your tribe through music and community
I actually leave my car tuned to the local college station. So the few seconds I get of that before I plug my phone in and choose random song or podcast that day, I've actually discovered a few songs that became some fun favs for a time.
For sure! I think it could almost be an offshoot in itself thinking more. Many people I know that listen to online radio that may not specifically engage (chat rooms, looking for track names etc) or listen back to live shows could also be classified as passive too. Which is then again in its own box as it's being personally curated live and direct for the most part of 24 hours a day. For example NTS, Refuge Worldwide etc
While going to a festival alone can feel scary, it’s been one of the best experiences of discovery and community building for me. I def think these online spaces can be a great stepping stone, and be the thing to help get someone out if they’re feeling apprehensive. For Riot Fest, I went alone and found an online group for solo goers and ended up making friends with people who I still talk to daily 4 years later. An online facebook group for Foals inspired me to start playlist curating and got me overseas to attend my first international festival in Paris with people I had only exchanged DMs with in the past.
And of course, discovered a lot of new music! So if you’re in a place where you’re feeling disconnected from a music scene, investigate your online resources. They can help you find something new and perhaps be a thread that ties you to new opportunities and connections in the future
Oh and silly me forgot to mention I went to New Colossus by myself last year and it was awesome!!! The spine kept me away this year but I’m determined to make it out next 🫡
Erin please write an offshoot article specifically about that
I love a good music Festival. For me, Newport Folk Festival is an absolute every year. The community there is just amazing. Last year at an aftershow, I got to see a house band with MJ Lenderman, Spencer Tweedy, and Brad and Phil Cook. Kim Deal was standing right next to me until she went on stage (and proceeded to tell MJ he was playing her song wrong, and teach him how to play it correctly). It's a space for collaboration sets, surprises, and one of kind experiences. I saw freaking Joni Mitchell there. The best.
Closer to this experience, Run For Cover records has put on a punk, hardcore, shoegaze, emo, etc. Festival called Something In The Way for the last couple of years that I've gone to. Small bands early work there way through to big headliners. Club experience. Loud and energetic. I'm old and short, so balcony for me, but big pit and aplenty of stage diving - which is fun to watch from above.
Anyway, a good fest leaves with highlights and lowlights, and new discoveries.
A Live Nation fest might be shitty at this point, but there's plenty of good ones out there. Big and small.
I love stories like this. And I'm heartened that "bigger deal" artists are still being people. We really need that right now.
Not enough talk about Phil Cook around here!
The NC fest is akin to what SXSW looked like in the ‘90s. Now, badges are unaffordable, entry to clubs not guaranteed, and music takes a back seat to tech and film industries. The Army had a recruiting center at the last convention hall I attended. Corporate interests squashed it into a no-fest festival. I hope NC uses it as a cautionary tale.
Been attending music festivals since the 80s and even got married at NOLA Jazz Fest in 1990... it's always been, for me, about discovering new music. Catch the early bands, hit the side stages, and skip the headliners!
Up here in Northeast Wisconsin, we have Mile of Music (https://mileofmusic.com/). Sounds like the same kind of thing as New Colossus. And it's awesome.
I would love to know about more festivals like this around the world!
Reading this and seeing all the hubub in the discord definitely made me look into festivals like this in Canada! Please Canadians, share your recs with me.
"hubbub in the discord" is a good band name
You all articulated perfectly why I'm turned off by bigger, corporate music festivals! This all sounded so much more meaningful and memorable. Great read guys!
Thanks Caroline!!
We have a festival in the downtown areas of at least three of the Quad Cities called Alternating Currents! It’s super fun! A lot of bands, but also comedians, films, a silent disco, and wrestling (🙄🤣). I’ve gone with a friend group over the past 2-3 years.
Sounds awesome
Great write-up! Maaaybe next year for me.
Do it do it
Great post. Thank you!
What a fantastic writeup and description of New Colossus. I couldn't get to the fest this year but have been to the prior 3 (covering it for wswalcottmedicineshow.com) and let me say you nailed the whole vibe perfectly. Now you've got me kicking myself for not fitting it in this year.
Come next year!
Yes to everything here! I go to a lot of small gigs (150 - 400 cap.) and the support bands are usually excellent. I always get down early. New Colossus sounds a lot like The Great Escape in Brighton which I really want to attend one day - although holiday and finances have so far prohibited a five day stretch in Brighton. I feel like I needed another poll to ask where do you *most often* find great new music because although my last discovery was through NBfOH discord (thank you!), live shows are often where I discover a new favourite.
I’m also going to shout out medium sized outdoor festivals. I can only speak for the UK but these can feel like real community events. There is so much going on and, if you happen to be on barrier at any stage, you’ll end up chatting to someone new and sharing music tips, especially if you are prepared to check out some smaller artists you’ve never heard of. Honestly, there is nothing I like better than listening to someone talking about the band or artist they are most passionate about! City centre festivals for smaller artists are also fantastic - even just day ones. I’m going to Ritual Union in Bristol at the end of this month which is only across 3 venues but has a great line up.
Let's go, Lou! This whole experience has really given me a lot more confidence about going to festivals where I know almost none of the artists. Personally I'm very interested in going to Punk Rock Raduno in Italy someday.
That sounds fab!
Learned something new today! Never heard of this before but as a former / early 2000s New Yorker I feel mad old now 🤣 Listening to the 2026 New Colossus playlist on Spotify and there’s some great stuff in there
get excited, we're posting a curated list of our favorites tomorrow!
Your description of the event reminded me of the CMJ and New Music seminars in the 90’s in NYC. It was exactly that running around to venues all over the city (way before streaming and the internet told you about a band) so discovery was what it was all about! I have so many wonderful memories of stumbling across a new band or being blown away by a band that I had heard about. It’s great to see that spirit recaptured today. I lament that younger people didn’t have that experience as you describe of finding your tribe through music and community
CMJ is what this event was built from!
You all nailed it! I went for many years and it gave me such warm memories reading your post. Thank you
I actually leave my car tuned to the local college station. So the few seconds I get of that before I plug my phone in and choose random song or podcast that day, I've actually discovered a few songs that became some fun favs for a time.
College radio is great
Where does online radio fit in? If curated by real human beings, even god forbid DJs, it's still not quite streaming or the algorithm
Sure, human curation is human curation, and we love it
For sure! I think it could almost be an offshoot in itself thinking more. Many people I know that listen to online radio that may not specifically engage (chat rooms, looking for track names etc) or listen back to live shows could also be classified as passive too. Which is then again in its own box as it's being personally curated live and direct for the most part of 24 hours a day. For example NTS, Refuge Worldwide etc