56 replies to this topic

[Jabadoodle]

* Before you attend your favorite fest
* You go to their web site
* There is a schedule/calendar of all bands
* You check off which ones you most want to see
* You enter your cell phone number
* You get a reminder text 15 minutes before your favorite bands

Useful or Silly

[Smiles]

I think it's an awesome idea! Even if fests don't post their schedule ahead of time, reminders for your picked bands is a great idea!

[Tabbooma]

Sounds good, but Tabbooma shuts his phone off usually at fests

[Royal]

I think it is both useful and silly.

[chewbokitz]

I usually shut my down as well, but I like the idea. What about instead of a text, there was a guy that would come to your camp to let you know about the shows and escort you to the field? And he would bring ice water.

And bacon.

[Karen]

I think it's a great concept!

Think of how many times we ask each other....what time is it? who has the schedule?

[MeOmYo]

I would use it if it was free. If it was pay, I would resort to the old fashioned way of reading the paper schedule, but I'm cheap like that.

[Lazy Lightning]

Good idea for folks who use their phones at fests - I usually go as unencumbered as possible, so I'm not sure how useful it would be for me, personally, but certainly a great idea for those who like to hang on to their tech at fests!

[PieDoh]

redundant

[Jabadoodle]

I'm thinking it would be free to patrons. Fest promoters could pay a small fee as a service that they offer to their patrons - same as they pay to provide other amenities that aren't required but make the fest experience a little better.

If schedules change or are delayed, people would be texted about that.

Added benefit to the promoters is that if they need to get word out about something (impending serious storm, huge technical or logistical problem) they could text directly to fest-goers to get the word out. Even those without phones would hear important news from those around them that are using the service.

People that sign up for reminders could also check other boxes, like...
[X] Remind me of my favorite bands ____ minutes before they start.
[ ] Send me other non-critical fest updates, such as information about impromptu special events.
[X] Send me critical updates, such as about impending serious weather.

I already own FestText.com so I think I'll put up a prototype for Vibes.

[moed_over]

I think its an awesome idea!!!

There is always that band you intended to see, but got caught up hanging out to long and miss, or that band that you just forgot about.

[lilphlower]

very useful! obviously more useful for bigger/multistage/crazyoverlap festivals.

while a lot of us shut our phones down, i definitely see more of the younger crowd (im generalizing) keeping them on and using them yknow, all the time....also, this might be enough for me to keep mine on and on me.

i think the major issue would be cell phone service

[Jabadoodle]

very useful! obviously more useful for bigger/multistage/crazyoverlap festivals. while a lot of us shut our phones down, i definitely see more of the younger crowd (im generalizing) keeping them on and using them yknow, all the time....also, this might be enough for me to keep mine on and on me. i think the major issue would be cell phone service

Good point that it's more useful for the larger fests. Though even at the Kee-Wanee fests it's easy to forget some great band on the Riverworm stage.

Very good point about cell service being an issue!

[James420]

I'd sign up for it if it was free, probably. Of course you'd have to point out how easy it would be to unsubscribe if it becomes annoying.

[nikkiblue]

I think it is both useful and silly.

lol. Yea, I'd prolly use it. but I usually don't keep my phone on me, so I'm not sure how useful it would end up...

[Deadshow Dan]

Personally I'd rather have a Google calendar that I can join, I can handle the rest

[Lemireacle]

I'd sign up for it if it was free, probably. Of course you'd have to point out how easy it would be to unsubscribe if it becomes annoying.

agreed

[liveyoursong]

Silusefully

[ladygingechilla]

Personally I'd rather have a Google calendar that I can join, I can handle the rest

I should try that this year! I am notoriously aweful at being a festie person... I end up seeing less than 5 sets total at the vibes...

What about instead of a text, there was a guy that would come to your camp to let you know about the shows and escort you to the field? And he would bring ice water. And bacon.

Festie escorts- I'm in!!!

[lilphlower]

http://www.hangoutmu...ect/mobile-app/

says its going to be up soon, but the email from hangout that i just got said the app would do what you are talking about

[SunshineDrummer]

I think it would be a really useful app for me. I'm often guilty of missing a band I wanted to see because I lost track of time hanging out at our campsite.

Would probably be good for tapers like Chris who don't set up for the entire weekend. Can't tell you how many times we've had to go racing up to the field & set the gear up crazy fast because we spaced on the time.

[Julius]

I want the unofficial version: Where's the good party at, the lead singer of that nostalgia group is sounding like shit: skip it, It's high tide and time for a swim, the security dude at the side entrance is being a prick tonight. Etc.

[CTMuleman]

I think it would be a really useful app for me. I'm often guilty of missing a band I wanted to see because I lost track of time sleeping in the middle of campsite.

[tyedyedee]

just follow the Peas around...you might need someone to hold your string at times, but you wont miss any of the great music

but it means all naps are off and most of your socializing will happen on the fly



gary, i like the idea but speaking for myself, i tend to be a little outta control at vibes and try not to carry things of value with me, i.e. my phone...plus, electronics and thunderbobby were never a good pairing so i kinda got used to never having it

i do, however, have my dry bag in my backpack, so i *could* have a phone if i needed one but for now, a paper schedule works fine
i do however like the idea of being told of schedule changes, etc.

the youngins would eat this service UP

[Jabadoodle]

I want the unofficial version: Where's the good party at, the lead singer of that nostalgia group is sounding like shit: skip it, It's high tide and time for a swim, the security dude at the side entrance is being a prick tonight. Etc.

The good party is at Space Camp.
And...Don't talk like that about Bobby.

[KittyRocks]

i thought i remembered bonnaroo doing something like this the year i went? i thought there was something tied into the cells....

also, this is random but i never understood people who didnt want their cell phones at festivals.... i think its so much easier to meet up with peeps your trying to meet up with and such..... and if someone i dont wanna talk to calls, like someone from the "real world" i just dont answer ..... not like you are obligated to answer....

[In A Silent Way]

Radio Vibes tried to do something like that with Twitter. There were a couple of semi-official hashtags. We coukd give more up-front schedule information on the air if that's what the audience finds helpful.

We could even provide security tips if we receive them.

[Smiles]

I want the unofficial version: Where's the good party at, the lead singer of that nostalgia group is sounding like shit: skip it, It's high tide and time for a swim, the security dude at the side entrance is being a prick tonight. Etc.

SketchText.com

Subscribed!

People call hotlines all the time for set times. It's a bummer telling someone they missed the show they wanted to see.

[Eco]

I would use it since I always carry a phone but NEVER a watch. Plus at festivals I'm on weird time sleeping or napping at really odd hours.......this leads to me missing bands I want to hear.

I'll suggest an add on: a notice that xyz band is playing at xyz time and a link with some samples of their music. Most of the bands in the line ups are new too me and I'm too lazy to sit at home and youtube them to create a list of who I want to see. That way I could judge if my nap or talking with random strangers should be interrupted in order for me to listen to some cool music. Granted this might not apply at Vibes with ATT cell coverage cause it sucked ass....a hint to ATT to amp up the coverage at Vibes.....

[Lostsailr]

one could just enter the bends and times in a calendar/ day planner app before the natural tendency to loose the book kicks in....
but that is more effort than a quick download.

[kramer]

Jazz Fest has its own app.. u can "star" your favorite bands and then click on favorites, and it becomes a customized schedule in chronological order w/ stage info! Pretty neat, especially since it's such a big festival & there are so many acts to keep track of.

[Speckta]

Idea has merit.

But the poll fails because there's no "penis" option. Noob.

[gram-man]

Should easily enough be able to make an app for smart phones to do this. Specially on an iPhone since there's already a notification system built into the IOS. The nice part about it being an app vs a texting service is you're don't need a connection to the outside world in order to receive an alert about a band. You could keep your phone on like airplane mode to conserve battery and still get receive band notifications. You also don't need to worry about maintaining a texting server during the festival. There's enough going on for people to be dealing with.

Give 'em an app to run on their phones and let them manage their own alerts. Far easier.

[Misha]

I like the idea very much--I've missed so many bands because I lost track of time!
And Julius, your idea is EXCELLENT!!

[Jabadoodle]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm glad to see so many people interested!

Advantage of Fest-Text over Google calendar is it's easier. Just put a check-box by the bands you like ... You're Done.

An App is a good idea. If it was tied back to Fest-Text, the app could keep schedules updated, etc.

I'm working on the texting version now. Once that's done will look into making it into an app.

More ideas are welcome & appreciated!

[Jambear]

Get me an app that locates floppy hat girl and i will get excited.

[gram-man]

...still lookin for her after all these years...OHHH still lookin for her after all these years.

[MushroomMan]

it sounds like a good idea it just sounds like a lot of work for whoever is on the other end sending out the texts, depending how many people would sign up. although I imagine some sort of automatic texting thing could be worked out....

I'm usually right on point myself as long as I have a schedule with the times I always keep track of everything pretty good - still a good idea

[Gnomes]

Very utilitarian for those who keep their phones with them at the show. I am more of the paper schedule and a watch kinda guy, as I do not keep my phone on me at a festival. It's one more thing to lose and I like to keep my distance from the world beyond the fences.

[sarah b.]

Any fee a promoter pays eventually gets passed on to the festival patron on some level. May have better luck aligning the service with festival sponsors or major beverage bottlers. (Festtext sponsored by coca-cola in a logo) would give coke user-opted-in advertising at (names of fests here). this keeps costs down to promoters and patrons, and if coke wants to be beverage of choice at a given fest, it will still need to pay the fest producer for that. This way, the fest doesn't lose sponsorship $ coke might spend with the producer to festtext.

[Smiles]

it sounds like a good idea it just sounds like a lot of work for whoever is on the other end sending out the texts, depending how many people would sign up. although I imagine some sort of automatic texting thing could be worked out.... I'm usually right on point myself as long as I have a schedule with the times I always keep track of everything pretty good - still a good idea

yeah I don't think the plan was to manually send out all the texts

sore thumbs

[cj]

I usually shut my down as well, but I like the idea. What about instead of a text, there was a guy that would come to your camp to let you know about the shows and escort you to the field? And he would bring ice water. And bacon.

i like the way you think.

[Jabadoodle]

it sounds like a good idea it just sounds like a lot of work for whoever is on the other end sending out the texts, depending how many people would sign up. although I imagine some sort of automatic texting thing could be worked out....

Yea, definitely an automated service -- unless I can get a bunch of non-paid interns

[Joe]

It would be useful but I wouldn't ever pay for a service like that. Considering some festivals already give you that options it could fall under redundant.

[Wende]

This is a great service as long as your number doesn't get shared.....

[hoagie]

Sure, if its free. I do prefer the app idea, in lieu of a text update. Easier and more private (no sharing cell numbers).

Why do I feel like this is a way to data-mine festivals for future advertising on the backside tho?

[Jabadoodle]

This is a great service as long as your number doesn't get shared.....

Yep. I think there has got to be a privacy guarantee that your number is only used to get the texts that you signed up for...and nothing else.

Sure, if its free. I do prefer the app idea, in lieu of a text update. Easier and more private (no sharing cell numbers). Why do I feel like this is a way to data-mine festivals for future advertising on the backside tho?

Yep. It would have to be free to the user.

You feel like you will be data-mined because that's what most companies do these days. I'm thinking to do this without advertising to sell you a bunch of stuff. Just a relatively small fee that promoters pay to provide a service that their customers appreciate -- just like they pay other fees to enhance their customer's experience.

I'd like the FestText brand to equal Useful, Easy, No Spam.

Again, Thanks For All The Input!

[gram-man]

The problem though is once those phone numbers are collected, what will stop the fest from selling that list to someone? Especially some smaller fests who could use the $$ the selling of the list would bring.

This is why the app is better. Rarely do act times change while a festival is happening and most festivals tend to run on time (barring weather conditions). If the fest provides it, you could include a map of the festival grounds, with bathrooms, vendors, atm, side stages, silent discos, etc all mapped out so people can find 'em. App can also include the fests basic ground rules (no gas filled glass dog chinese lanterns, etc).

[hoagie]

I would not give any festival my phone number. just wont happen

[Jabadoodle]

The problem though is once those phone numbers are collected, what will stop the fest from selling that list to someone? Especially some smaller fests who could use the $$ the selling of the list would bring. This is why the app is better. Rarely do act times change while a festival is happening and most festivals tend to run on time (barring weather conditions). If the fest provides it, you could include a map of the festival grounds, with bathrooms, vendors, atm, side stages, silent discos, etc all mapped out so people can find 'em. App can also include the fests basic ground rules (no gas filled glass dog chinese lanterns, etc).

Because FestText isn't a fest promoter, it's a separate entity...me ;-) I want to keep the brand
clean. Selling the numbers or texting advertising = no new signups. Plus I just don't want to be that way.

I can see an app-version too. An app could also download changed schedule times, special messages, etc.

Give the people a choice...simple text...smart-phone app.

But gonna start with the texting version 'cause I think I can have that up and running very quickly.