How do you write a music festival review that helps you earn credibility as a music journalist? That’s more challenging than many people realize. Write too many negative reviews, and people in the industry hate you. They accuse you of being unfair or trying to make a name for yourself through edgy commentary. On the other hand, if your reviews are positive, audiences accuse you of sucking up to the industry or selling out.

 

It’s a tough job, but remember that there are people who do it quite successfully. The trick isn’t to be too critical or complimentary. Instead, you want to write detailed, relevant reviews that offer an enjoyable read. More importantly, your review should communicate information that potential festival attendees can use. Here are seven steps for doing just that.

1.   Research And Plan Before You Go

A musical festival might last for several days, have multiple stages, and host dozens of acts. You won’t be able to see everything. So, you should take time to plan your approach. Ask yourself the following questions: 

●       Which artists will my audience be most interested in learning about?

●       How can I schedule my time to see as many acts as possible?

●       Is there a map or brochure available to review before the festival?

●       What information will my readers be interested in as far as the festival setup and atmosphere? 

Use the answers to these questions to plan your approach. You should know what artists you will watch, and which elements you should pay the most attention to.

2.   Attend The Event In Person

Unless the festival itself is a virtual event, you have to attend in person. Otherwise, your review just won’t be very credible. Most music fans can easily tell the difference between a review written by someone who experienced the event in person, and one who listened online. When you attend in person, you can speak about the overall vibe of the event, the way the bands engage with the audience, and all the other elements that make up a good (or bad) music festival.

3.   Open With A Summary Statement

Before you write anything else, summarize your experience. What is it that you want the audience to understand about this event? Lead with that. Then, fill in the details. Here are some examples. 

●       While the main act was a bit disappointing, the Northwest Music Fest made it clear that Seattle’s local musicians have something to prove.

●       The music was amazing. Unfortunately, that was soured by aggressive security and rude vendors.

●       Jazz fans will feel right at home at MusicFest 2021. Unfortunately, the festival doesn’t do much to cater to fans of other music. 

You can even work your summary statement in as a subheading or description to go at the top of the page. This will grab the reader’s attention, and get them interested in your review.

4.   Write At The Reader’s Level

There are two things to consider here. The first is your reader’s level of understanding in terms of the subject you are presenting. For example, are you writing for the average festival attendee who is just interested in listening to great music? Conversely, are you writing for an audience with more knowledge, and higher expectations, such as people who happen to be musicians? Whoever your audience is, you don’t want to seem condescending, by over-simplifying things. Also, you don’t want to write above their heads. That can make your writing seem pretentious, a poor look for music writers. 

Think about your writing experiences in college. Whether you were writing academic papers or asked someone to write my paper, you were expected to keep in mind your audience. That meant using phrasing and vocabulary that they could understand.

5.   Give A Backstory Where Needed

Some of the people reading your review may not be familiar with the artists, the venue, or the festival. Even the featured musical genre might be something new to them. Never assume that something you share will be relatable to your readers, especially if they don’t have the background information. 

For example, imagine that you write the following: 

‘The West Oak Brass Band surprised everybody by appearing on stage on time, and ready to perform.’ 

If your reader is familiar with the West Oak Brass Band, and their reputation for tardiness, that statement makes sense. If they aren’t, it just doesn’t make much sense to them. A brief explanation or backstory could add that needed context.

6.   Provide Info The Average Audience Member Can Use

The truth is that people read reviews to get the information they can use. Yes, they want to read your insights into the festival experience, but they are also looking for some practical information and some direct insights. Here are some questions you should be answering in your music festival review. 

●       Where is this festival located, and where will it be next?

●       Who will enjoy this music festival most?

●       Is it worth attending this festival?

●       What should people know about practical matters such as parking, ticket prices, food, or security?

●       Is there something nobody should miss, or that everyone should skip? 

Think about the average person who is going to dedicate their hard-earned money, time, and travel to attending this festival. Give them insights that will help them get the most out of their experience, or let them know if they should spend their money elsewhere.

7.   Edit Out All But The Most Interesting Info

It’s hard to write good reviews. You have to understand your audience, and what they are looking for. Also, as a music fan yourself, it can be quite easy to focus too much on your priorities and interests. When that happens, you risk writing reviews that are more self-indulgent than useful to your audience. 

The best way to counteract that is with ruthless editing. Be hard on yourself. If anything you write isn’t going to be entertaining or informative for your audience, cut it out.

Final Thoughts

Reviewers truly do provide music fans with an important service. They give them the information they need to better enjoy their time at music festivals. Implement the tips above to improve your writing and gain more audience respect.

 

Author’s bio. Jessica Fender is a professional writer and educational blogger. Jessica enjoys sharing her ideas to make writing and learning fun.