Not every festival is trying to become a city-sized event. A newer group of promoters is betting on smaller capacities, shorter walking distances and lineups built around a very specific taste.
For audiences, the attraction is partly practical. Fewer stages make it easier to see most of the bill, and compact sites create a stronger sense that everyone is attending the same event.
Why it matters
For artists, smaller festivals can offer a more focused crowd and less competition with simultaneous headline sets.
The model will not replace giant festivals, but it gives live music another format between a club show and a massive weekend destination.