The Role of Mobile Applications in the Consumer Experience at Music Festivals

The ubiquitous capability of smartphones and their rapid uptake among music festival attendees indicates the potential for mobile applications as a tool within this environment. As a result, many organizers are choosing to develop festival-specific apps designed to enhance the user experience. Based on a review of festival apps and focus groups with festival attendees, this article analyzes the role of mobile apps in relation to festival consumer experiential needs. Analysis indicates a need for more consumer-focused app interfaces that pay close attention to the event anticipation experience, scheduling capabilities before and during the festival, and personalization options to enhance “presence.” At a practical level, mobile charging facilities are vital at festivals to enable app use.