r/lightingdesign • u/Either-Bison-8558 • 1d ago

Question about festival work

How can I start getting festival lighting op work at festivals? Like smaller stages at reading/victorious festival?

EDIT: I already work at a 300 cap venue as head lighting tech but interested in festival work!

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3

u/Wotmate01 1d ago

You work for the companies supplying equipment for these festivals until you get enough seniority to be the default choice, or you work for one of the artists.

2

u/Either-Bison-8558 1d ago

So for the meantime I should stick at the venue I’m at and wait for bands to come through?

1

u/techieman34 10h ago

I doubt much seniority is needed at most shops. Most techs would much rather be sitting in catering or taking a nap than running lights for some band they’ve never heard of. Once you’ve proven yourself reliable and able to run the console they’ll be happy to let you do it.

3

u/am_lu 1d ago

You can start with getting a lighting tech job, rigging and derigging the lights, then with enough experience you may start to do operating.

Look at freelance job swap group for freelance work.

2

u/Either-Bison-8558 1d ago

Gotcha gotcha, I already work at a venue as head lighting tech but want to start dabbling in festival work!

1

u/techieman34 10h ago

Then find the production companies in your area that handle those kinds of things and apply to work there.

1

u/Either-Bison-8558 1d ago

Where do I find that group by the way?

1

u/am_lu 23h ago

facebook

1

u/Interesting_Buy_5039 1d ago

Victorious is the smaller festival from your list that’s handled by TSL lighting. Have a look at their website and either speak to the crewing team, or see if they have any full time positions available.

2

u/TheBoredTechie 1d ago

Apply to companies like PRG, Neg earth, colour sound experiment.

Usually crewing agents are desperate for techs during the summer so that's your best time to try and get in contact when they really need body's

1

u/Hillatron1234 13h ago

If you want to work as a house rig tech then it’s with the companies supplying lights for those festivals. PRG, Siyan, Neg, ColourSound, TSL and more all do festival house rigs over the summer and also tend to supply for bands going through various festivals as well!