For this episode, I was joined by Ohio festival veteran, musician, and longtime scene observer Jeff Modzelewski of The Whiskey Drinks for the first installment of what we hope becomes an ongoing conversation throughout the festival season.
One of the funny things about festival culture is that some of the most important conversations don't happen on stage. They happen around campfires, over morning coffee, while wandering vendor rows, or catching up with friends you only see a few weekends each year.
If you've spent enough time in this world, you know those conversations eventually drift toward the same topics: Which festivals are growing? Which ones are struggling? Who's touring? What's changing? And what does the future of this whole thing look like?
That's exactly what inspired a new recurring series here on Music Festivals Podcast.
As Music Festivals Podcast travels from festival to festival producing documentaries, livestreams, artist interviews, and recap episodes, we wanted a space to step back and talk about the bigger picture.
Not just the performances.
Not just the lineups.
But the trends, challenges, opportunities, and stories shaping festival culture across the country.
Because let's be honest—there's a lot happening right now.
One of the reasons I enjoy talking with people like Jeff is that they've watched the scene evolve over time. They've seen festivals grow from small grassroots gatherings into major events, watched trends come and go, and witnessed entirely new generations discover the culture for themselves.
At the same time, some things never change. People still show up looking for connection.
They still gather around music, seek out authentic experiences, and build communities around shared passions. The venues may change, the technology may change, and the business models may change, but the reasons people attend festivals remain remarkably consistent.
One of the topics Jeff and I spent time discussing was the wide range of festival experiences currently available across the country and what they tell us about where the scene is headed.
On one end of the spectrum, we talked about Electric Forest, one of the most recognizable destination festivals in North America. Forest continues to attract attendees from around the world with its immersive art, large-scale production, and carefully curated blend of electronic music, jam bands, and community experiences. It's a festival that has evolved far beyond its lineup, creating an environment where exploration and discovery are as important as the performances themselves.
On the other end, we discussed grassroots gatherings like Grassfire Festival, where the focus remains firmly on community, camping, and the intimate connections that can only happen at smaller events. Festivals like Grassfire remind us that bigger isn't always better. Sometimes the most meaningful festival experiences come from a campground jam, a conversation with a neighbor, or discovering a new artist from the front row instead of a giant video screen.
What makes both events interesting is that, despite their differences in scale, they're ultimately serving the same human need: connection.
It's shaped by the people who support it—the artists, promoters, volunteers, vendors, photographers, campground neighbors, and fans who spend months planning a weekend they'll remember for years.
Every one of those people plays a role in shaping the future of the scene. That's why conversations like these matter.
They give us an opportunity to reflect on where we've been, where we're headed, and what we want to preserve along the way.
As we continue our summer tour across the country, Jeff and I will be checking in regularly to discuss what's happening in
quietly shaping the culture nonetheless
Think of it as pulling up a chair around the campfire with a couple of festival veterans who care deeply about this community and aren't afraid to ask questions. Festivals aren't just events; they're living, evolving communities. Sometimes the best way to understand where they're headed is simply to sit down and have a conversation about it.
We'll save you a seat.
Recorded live at the Whippersnap Music and Arts Festival that took place from 2/19 - 2/22/2025 at the Florida Sand Music Ranch with headliners Steelin' Peaches, Keller Williams, The Polyrhythmics and The New Mastersounds.
Video Credit: @musicfestivalspodcast — Guavatron LIVE at Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival 2.22.25