Planning Robust Weather Protection for Outdoor Music Festivals.

Many summer music festivals that take place in Europe and north America are subject to temperate climates making the weather very changeable. Whilst the summer months are more reliable for warmer and drier conditions, they can still be subject to extreme weather changes. How can organisers plan for robust protection in adverse weather conditions.

Making an outdoor music festival capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions is essential for the health and safety of everyone on the site and ensures that performances and other operations continue as planned. There are a number of factors that organisers need to consider early in the planning phase to ensure they incorporate suitable weather protection for their events. 

Adverse Weather Implications. 
If festival organisers have not planned and prepared their event for potential adverse weather, it can have severe implications for the event. High winds and rain can cause damage to the site infrastructure causing delays and even cancellation. In addition, these conditions can cause numerous hazards if temporary structures become unstable making them a threat to the health and safety of anyone on site. Flooding and slippery surfaces caused by heavy rains can increase the chance of trip hazards and make the festival environment unpleasant. Unprotected stages and sensitive electronic equipment can be damaged by wind, rain and lightning strikes often leading to financial loss. A music festival that has not planned for adverse weather can be subject to cancellation leading to reputational damage impacting on future event ticket sales. 

Site Layout. 
Careful planning of the festival site layout is essential and may include terrain and obstacle surveys to determine the flow of flood water. This enables temporary structures to be placed on higher ground along with the construction of non-slip raised walkways with drainage systems dug where appropriate. In addition, it may be possible to survey how high winds behave on a potential site using scientific measuring equipment and predictive AI software for example. 

Temporary Structures. 
The initial site survey should enable organisers to create a risk assessment for their proposed temporary structures. This will include the preferred location with an indication of winds and rain that could impact the site in extreme conditions. Structures like marquees, tents and stage truss systems should be wind resistant and waterproof. Contractors will be able to provide the necessary certifications for safety which may include details of how each structure is anchored into the ground (ballasts and ground pins). 

Equipment Protection. 
Music festivals often have vast amounts of sensitive electronic equipment including lighting rigs, backline sound systems, complex sound mixing consoles and artist’s instruments. Large festival sites sometimes use secure solid temporary structures to store instruments, but backline and lighting rigs may be more exposed so consideration for canopies and suitable drainage systems for protection should be incorporated. Electrical power from generators and cables powering equipment will have to be protected from the elements. 

Health & Safety and Communication. 
The biggest concern for organisers is compliance with health and safety protocols and planning for adverse weather will be a key consideration in this. Aside from the physical weather protection installed on site organisers should also have robust communication plans for adverse weather conditions. Constant monitoring of weather systems during the event can help early detection and enable organisers to issue weather alerts to festival-goers, staff, vendors and artists. Clear messaging detailing expected weather (rain, high winds or lightening for example) along with instructions about safe shelters and evacuation routes will help protect everyone and keep the event running smoothly. 

For festival organisers planning their next event using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, site planning, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

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