The Firefly Festival in Dover, Delaware, is going to hand the keys over to the people that make it all happen: the fans. According to a post on the event’s website, this year’s edition of Firefly will not only let concertgoers participate in the annual talent survey — which helps determine the lineup — but they’ll also help vote on changes to campsite activities, merchandise, food vendors and Firefly’s look.
“What is a fan-curated festival? Let’s start from the beginning. Hopefully, you are all aware of the talent survey that we release each summer,” read a letter from organizers of the Red Frog Events-promoted event. “Since 2013, surveys have completely revolutionized our approach to booking the Firefly lineup. The results provide direct insight into what you want. As the lineup morphs and changes – as acts confirm or pass – we revisit your feedback to guide our next move. Over the last four years, we have booked 31 of the top 40 mid-tier acts and 7 of the top 10 headliners. Blink-182, Earth Wind & Fire, Busta Rhymes – each of these were booked solely because you wanted them.”
In fact, fans have been credited in the past with helping to get the Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers added to the lineup.
That unusual format has led to excitement and some disappointment, but, at the very least, a feeling that fans and organizers built something together. “So, a question recently dawned on us. ‘Why just the lineup?'” they wondered. “Why can’t we work together to create the entire Firefly experience? The answer to that question is what likely brought you here. The concept of a fan-curated festival. What is it and how does it impact you? Starting now, you have the opportunity to be involved in every piece of the festival, to help curate the best weekend of the summer.”
So, from now until the festival, attendees can visit the Firefly website and social pages to participate in polls, surveys and message boards to give feedback, cast votes and share their thoughts on talent, camping, merchandise design, intramural sports events, new festival attractions and art installations. In all, organizers told Consequence of Sound they plan to have up to 40 different surveys between now and the June 15-18 festival dates, with incentives for those suggestions that come to life, including potential ticket upgrades.
Click here to read the full note.