From 5ft below sea level to the Mile High City of Denver.

courtesy of joesephfotos.com

I’m just getting back to the heat of August in New Orleans, a reminder that the summer of Louisiana and Colorado are VERY different.

My most recent festival work took me to Denver, CO for the Mile High Music Festival.  Mile High is in its 3rd year as a festival and takes place on the Colorado Rapids 917 acre soccer complex, where the festival grounds cover 14 of the soccer fields.  Festival attendance is generally around 35,000 – 40,000 people, although last year’s attendance was lower than expected causing AEG to bring in well known festival favorites such as Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson.

Courtesy of www.joesephfotos.com

This year, I worked in the Artist Transportation department as an “Artist Wrangler”. My job soon became insuring that there was a clear line of communication between Sponsors and Media locations on site.

There is a trend of artists having a growing list of obligations at these national music festivals.  Artists now often have Sponsor appearances, autograph signings, magazine and blog interviews, as well as their actual onstage performance.

For instance, The Punch Brothers (http://www.punchbrothers.com), who I drove around for most of the day, had a short acoustic performance at the Toyota Sponsor stage (recorded and broadcast), then had an onstage performance, then had a meet and greet autograph session, followed by a Media appearance for interviews. After finishing the last of the interviews the band packed up and headed out that night.

I had an incredible time meeting living legend Jimmy Cliff who at age 62 in all yellow and gold still put on the best reggae show I have ever seen.  Bassnectar filled the crowd’s thirst for the growing electronic scene at festivals.

Quick and dirty coverage of Mile High: Mile High Music Fest Reel

Festival Features:

Live streaming of headliners such as Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Steve Miller Band, My Morning Jacket, and Weezer among others…

Android and iPhone Apps

MHMF Pandora Station

Zero Service Charge” Ticketing
Flash Seats system is a paperless ticketing system which allows attendees to simply bring their phone and valid ID. http://www.flashseats.com/

Carpool Sweepstakes
MHMF created a sweepstakes for all cars carrying 4 people or more to the festival. The best decorated carpool car was allowed to park in the close lot as well as enter into a contest for free VIP upgrade.

Green Your Scene Passport Program
Attendees could pickup a “passport” onsite then go to as many different activities on site as possible to get the passport stamped allowing you to win prizes such as a Meet and Greet with Dave Matthews or stage passes for Jack Johnson

Highlights for Fans:

Mile High Music Fest is one of the most comfortable and efficient festivals I have attended. There is FREE WATER within the festival grounds, security at each entrance/exit, cooling stations if you get too hot spending all day outside.

Weather: 80s with a cool breeze, 60s at night

courtesy of joesephfotos.com

Safe Storage: Bag Valet located inside the stadium where you can safely leave your belongings for the day.

Colorado People: Of all the festivals I have worked, Mile High had the most easy going crowd of any.

For those of you who have never attended or worked Mile High Music Fest, it is certainly a festival for the bucket list.

Artist Interview with Danielle Ate the Sandwich

John Macy of Macy Sound Studios

As always we look forward to comments and questions. Thanks again to Joeseph Rogers for his photos. For more on Mile High and CO check here: www.joesephfotos.com

- David