What is the history of music festivals

Outdoor music festivals have become a fixture of summertime for many adults. Many different music genres now have their own festivals and some of the largest in the world, such as Glastonbury or Summerfest in Milwaukee, are attended by hundreds of thousdands. While music festivals appear to be a relatively recent development, at least since the rise of Rock and more liberal lifestyles since the 1960s, their history goes back much further. Music festivals have always been about bringing people together to share a common cultural experience through music. This is one common element that has not changed for centuries.

The Early Development of Music Festivals

The earliest recorded music festival is arguably the Pythian Games that took place in the 6th century BC. These games took place every four years and were similar to the well known ancient Olympic games. This event eventually became more focused on games and athletic competitions, but the games were initially dedicated to Apollo and focused on music, with Apollo being the patron because he was the Greek god of music. Apollo is often depicted with a lyre and the Pythian Games were a chance to hold competitions among competing musicians. Both instrumental and singing performances were held as competitions among different contestants. It is also known that during the spring the Athenians celebrated the Festival of the Vine Flower, which also included drinking contests, dancing, and music. Performances would also be held to honor Dionysus, with the festival-goers using music and their drinking to honor the god.

By the high Middle Ages, between 1000-1250, music festivals and fairs became more common in towns across Europe. These festivals, similar to some of the ancient Greek festivals, were opportunities for contests and games to take place. Musical performances also became common as part of the entertainment. Competitions would be held in different towns across Europe and many of these fairs would occur in the spring or more commonly in the Summer. Festivals such as these were used as opportunities for families to connect with others or even find matches among the unmarried. Festivals, similar to today, were social but also commercial occasions for those involved.

The Development of Modern Music Festivals

In the Medieval era, most of the music that took place we would perhaps today classify as folk music or local music from regions that would involve common instruments rather than regal or more formal instruments that would have developed and became popularized in the early Modern Era after the 16th century. In the 19th century, the Bayreuth Festival, in 1876 in Baveria, became one of the first formal and annual festivals dedicated specifically to music and patronized at the highest level of government. This festival was patronized by Ludwig II and was attended to by other royalty from Europe and elsewhere. The festival began as an occasion to promote Richard Wagner, who wanted to popularize his music. The festival was effective in achieving this, as Wagner did become a well-known artist from the period. Furthermore, the festival continues until today, where it is the best-known festival dedicated to Wagner's music. For later festivals, this showed artists that music festivals could be highly effective to promote their work.