Get an insider's look into the contrasting worlds of festival and club backstages. Explore the pros and cons of each to choose your favorite.
A club or festival is a carefully orchestrated symphony of music, light, and energy, designed to give audiences an unforgettable experience. But what’s backstage? Is it all the glitz and glamour we often imagine? Well, it depends on where you are. From the clean and orderly to the chaotic and smoky, the backstage scene can vary wildly.
Here are three typical backstages you might encounter.
Type 1: The Pristine Sanctuary
Venue: Big Festivals
Pros: Picture this: an oasis of cleanliness amidst the pandemonium of a large festival. Here, the no-drug policy is rigidly enforced, with everyone on their best behavior due to the omnipresence of journalists. The bathrooms are immaculate, a rarity at most music events, and there’s a sense of order and professionalism that can be reassuring.
Cons: However, the very things that make this backstage appealing can also be its downfall. The strict enforcement of rules can sometimes dampen the spirit of the rave, making the atmosphere feel more corporate than carefree. If you’re seeking the wild abandon that festivals are known for, this may not be your scene.
Who you will meet : Expect to rub shoulders with industry professionals, mainstream artists, reputable journalists, and serious music enthusiasts who value order and decorum.
Type 2: The Intimate Den
Venue: Small Clubs
Pros: Small, dimly lit, and reeking of cigarettes, this backstage is the polar opposite of its big festival counterpart. Here, everyone is a friend of a friend, creating an intimate, if slightly claustrophobic, atmosphere. This is where you might watch aspiring DJs trying to catch their big break, or get pulled into animated conversations with promoters.
Cons: Be prepared for an open drug scene and a lingering smell of smoke on your clothes. If you’re not comfortable with this type of environment, it could feel overwhelming.
Who you will meet : You’ll likely encounter the friends of DJs and promoters, aspiring DJs, and hardcore club-goers who thrive on the energy and rawness of the underground scene.
If you are in Paris you might be surrounded by very rich kids who use their parents money to buy drugs to DJs and offer them their amazing houses for afterparties. Stay close to them if you like to party in the morning.
Type 3: The Social Circus
Venue: Smaller Festivals
Pros: This backstage is a free-for-all, where anyone who’s anyone can be found. Thanks to the easy access to wristbands, you’ll see a plethora of Instagram models, influencers, and avid festival-goers. The stage is always crowded, creating a buzzing energy that’s infectious.
Cons: The abundance of people can often mean a lack of personal space. There’s also a high likelihood of drug use, given the lax security. The sheer number of people on stage can distract from the performance.
Who you will meet : Expect to mingle with a mix of social media influencers, festival enthusiasts and friends of the artists.
You might want to avoid being on stage as everybody and their mothers will try to catch a photo or an Instagram story behind the DJ.
Backstages, much like the events they’re a part of, come in all shapes and sizes. Each type has its perks and downsides, and the best one for you depends on what you’re looking for in your festival experience.
However, the hype is only real for a tony amount of backstage experiences. From our point of view, you will always have more fun in the crowd, drowned into a mass of people who are actually here for the music!
Bonus pics with the Clubbing TV’s backstage experiences :
