The Brief

Klipsch needed a writer who could take their playful, informal writing style and run with it. Over the course of 2019, I wrote more than 50 category pages, blog posts, and gift guides to help revamp Klipsch’s website. And after our agency’s work was complete, the CEO gave a video testimonial to share the impressive results.

Music Festivals: Then & Now (Blog Post)

In this thrilling historical tale, we've shared how music festivals captured the counterculture's imagination and grew into a global phenomenon. These festivals also forged a community among audiophiles in pursuit of perfect sound.

Back then, music was everything. And yes, we at Klipsch may come across as old folks daydreaming about the good ol' days, but we still believe in the power of music.

Music Festivals - The Early Glory Days

Cultural festivals with music stretch back to Ancient Greece, but the origin of today's festival format can be traced to the 18th century. Religious gatherings like the Three Choirs Festival brought classical music fans to church to hear Beethoven and Mozart. Meanwhile, the Second Great Awakening developed the idea of musical retreats, where the faithful would camp out and sing hymns together. It was like Woodstock, minus the sex and drugs.

By 1954, jazz had developed a serious foothold in America. The first Newport Jazz Festival brought more than 11,000 people together to enjoy the sweet sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and many others. Not only was this the first jazz festival in America, but it was the first time that such an eclectic crowd got together to enjoy non-religious tunes. At Newport, quality live music was the draw. This revolutionary concept also laid the groundwork for massive rock festivals like Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock in the late 1960s.

Now, just imagine 400,000 people making a pilgrimage to Woodstock, NY in 1969 to hear Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and so many other legendary artists. Only 10,000 people were expected to show up, but it turned into a festival like no other. Music lovers converged on the small New York farm town with peace signs outstretched and the smell of patchouli in the air. So many people came that the festival founders decided to make admission free to the public. It became a real bonding experience for rock and folk fans, who witnessed cutting-edge artists in the prime of their careers.

Music Festivals Today - Yay or Nay?

In the 50 years since Woodstock, music festivals have spread around the globe. Some have focused on newer genres like punk, techno, and heavy metal. Others have taken the Woodstock concept and updated it for modern times, like Bonnaroo and Coachella. At the same time, mainstream media and online platforms like Instagram have made festivals a viral phenomenon.

For better or worse (ahem, Fyre Festival), music festivals have become just as much about the lifestyle as they are about the music. Fortunately, boutique festivals like FORM in Arizona have made it their mission to prioritize musical artistry and sound quality over hot selfies.

In 2019, music has never been more disposable, and the community has never been more important. For those who can't make it to a festival this season, we hope to bring audiophiles together with our surround sound speakers, awe-inspiring subwoofers, and tasty mixes. Listening to music at home may not be the same as a front-row festival experience, but Klipsch speakers and sound systems can take you back to 1969.