In this episode, I sat down with Patrick Newton, State Chair of the North Carolina Forward Party, to talk about an idea that reaches far beyond politics. We explored how grassroots organizations are using music festivals as places to build community, encourage civic engagement, and invite people into conversations that might not happen anywhere else
One of the things I've learned after spending years traveling from festival to festival is that music is rarely the only reason people gather.
Sure, we come for the bands - but we stay for the conversations.
We stay for the campground neighbors who become lifelong friends, for the workshops, the late-night jam circles, and the shared experiences that remind us we're part of something bigger than ourselves.
That's why this week's conversation felt like such a natural fit for Music Festivals Podcast.
If you've ever attended a music festival, you've probably noticed that they're full of more than just stages.
There are nonprofits, environmental organizations, community groups, artists, educators, and volunteers, all sharing ideas with people who are curious, engaged, and open to new experiences.
That's part of what makes festivals unique.
They're one of the few places where thousands of people intentionally slow down long enough to meet new people, hear different perspectives, and engage in conversations without the distractions of everyday life.
Patrick believes that's exactly why festivals have become an important place for the Forward Party to connect with people—not to lecture them, but to listen, answer questions, and encourage participation in the democratic process.
One theme that came up repeatedly during our conversation was community.
It's easy to assume political organizations are focused only on elections, campaigns, or policy. But Patrick described something that felt surprisingly familiar to anyone who's spent time in festival culture: start with people, build relationships, and let the community grow from there.
Whether it's volunteering at an event, hosting local meetups, or simply having respectful conversations with strangers, the goal is to create spaces where people feel comfortable participating instead of feeling divided. That philosophy mirrors something I've seen at festivals across the country.
Communities don't grow because everyone agrees. They grow because people are willing to show up, listen, and contribute.
Part of our conversation focused on the North Carolina Forward Party's involvement at Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance, one of the Southeast's best-known community festivals.
For anyone who's been to Shakori Hills, that partnership makes a lot of sense.
The festival has long been about more than music. It's a place where art, sustainability, education, local food, and community all come together in one shared space. Visitors don't just attend—they participate.
That same spirit of participation is what Patrick hopes to foster through the Forward Party's presence at events like Shakori Hills.
Rather than asking people to pick sides, the focus is on meeting neighbors where they are, listening to their concerns, and encouraging them to become more involved in shaping their communities.
Whether you agree with the Forward Party's ideas or simply find yourself frustrated with today's political climate, I think
Music festivals have always brought together people from different backgrounds, different professions, and different viewpoints. That's part of what makes them special.
They're places where we remember that before we're fans, voters, musicians, or organizers, we're neighbors.
Maybe that's why festivals continue to feel hopeful.
They're one of the few environments where people naturally build trust through shared experiences instead of arguments.
One thing I've always believed is that festivals are reflections of the communities that create them.
My conversation with Patrick reminded me that meaningful change often begins the same way great festival friendships do—with a simple conversation.
Whether that conversation happens around a campfire, inside a vendor village, or while walking past an outreach booth at Shakori Hills, it has the potential to plant a seed. And sometimes, that's exactly where the most meaningful journeys begin.
Another great performance by Ekoostik Hookah's - "El Bandito" during night 3 of Spring Hookahville 2025 (HV60) at Roost on the River Music Centre in Newark, Ohio.
Video Credit: @musicfestivalspodcast — Ekoostik Hookah -- "El Bandito" at Spring Hookahville 2025 (HV60)