As an intern at a music festival, every day is different, and presents new challenges and opportunities for learning and growth. We place interns to work at summer festivals with festival organisers, venue owners and events promoters, to gain an in-depth understanding of what this exciting part of the industry is like.

To get a better understanding, we spoke to Julia from Belgium, a 2023 BeatBrdg intern to take a closer look at what a typical day in the life of an intern at a music festival might look like.

5:00 AM

“It’s 5 AM and my alarm is ringing. I open my eyes and take a deep breath, ready to start my day as an intern at one of the largest Summer music festivals in Amsterdam. This is my dream job, and I can’t wait to see what today has in store for me.

6:30 AM

I quickly get ready and make my way to the festival site, where I meet up with the rest of the team. We’re responsible for everything from setting up stages to coordinating with vendors and ensuring that everything runs smoothly throughout the day. As one of six interns, my duties are varied and often unpredictable, but I’m ready for anything, and see every task as an opportunity to learn.

7:00 AM

The first order of business is to check in with my supervisor and find out what my assignments are for the day. I’m excited to learn that one of my first tasks for the day will be supporting the stage crew, helping to set up and tear down equipment as bands come and go throughout the day.

9:00 AM

The stage crew is a tight-knit group of professionals who work tirelessly to make sure that everything is perfect for the performers. I’m nervous at first, but they quickly put me at ease and show me the ropes. We work together to load in all the gear, set up the stage, and I watch as initial band sound checks take place.

10:00 AM

“As the day goes on, the festival grounds start to come to life. The first bands begin to arrive, and the energy in the air is electric. I take a moment to soak it all in, feeling incredibly grateful for this opportunity”

12:00 PM

One of the highlights of the day is getting to meet some of the performers. As an intern, I don’t have direct contact with them, but I get to observe from the sidelines as they go about their day. It’s surreal to see some of my favourite artists up close and personal, and I can’t help but feel a little starstruck.

2:00 PM

As the day progresses, I start to get a feel for the rhythm of the festival. There are moments of chaos and moments of calm, but everyone works together to make sure that everything runs smoothly. I accompany the site supervisor to check that the venue is adhering to safety protocols backstage and also on the festival floor. As we finish our rounds, we stop in on the sound engineers. Their view of the main stage is amazing!

4:00 PM

Taking a short break for a late lunch, I take time to soak in the atmosphere. There’s something magical about being a part of such a large-scale event, and I feel honoured to be a part of it, even though we haven’t stopped all day!

6:30 PM

As the sun starts to set, the headlining acts begin to take the stage. The crowds are massive, and the energy is palpable. I’m working backstage helping with hospitality and collection of access passes, but I can still hear the roar of the crowd as each band takes the stage. It’s a surreal experience.

“This is exactly why I signed up to do an internship through BeatBrdg”

At the end of the night, as the festival winds down and the crowds disperse, I’m exhausted but elated. I’ve worked hard all day, but I’ve also had the opportunity to see some amazing performances and meet some incredible people.

9:30 PM

I meet with my supervisor one last time and we talk about how the day went, and what could be improved for day two. I say goodnight and as I make my way back to the train station, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride in what I’ve accomplished.

Being an intern at a music festival isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned so much about the music industry, about event planning, and about myself.

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