Interested in a Q & A from the creators of What The Fest?

Here is up to 12 questions about What the Fest from the people that put it together.

1. I understand that Burning Man was a great inspiration for the creation of WTF.

a. Was there any moment during your Burning Man experiences that you had some great epiphany to create this kind of festival? Or festival in it’s likeness? Could you share that moment? There wasn’t a particular moment at Burning Man or another festival that lead us to our decision, but all of our experiences at different festivals has helped shape the vision and direction of What The Festival. My husband and I had been searching for something we could do together and we both saw a need in the Pacific Northwest for the type of festival we wanted to do.

2. Are there any new interactive art installations coming to WTF that you’d like to highlight?

We are still in the process of curating our interactive art installations for 2017 so unfortunately there is nothing new we can highlight at this time.

3. For the lineup as a whole, what do you look for when curating a lineup for WTF? Are there any specific artists you are excited to see this year?

We take a lot of things into consideration. Everything from what’s trending to doing surveys and asking our participants what they want to see. We try to be progressive and showcase new artists.

4. What was the inspiration for the app? How long has this idea/app been in development for?

Because of our growth and our constant desire to be more green, we felt it was time to move from a printed pamphlet to something electronic.

5. Can you tell us about the strategy behind having daytime & nighttime stages? Moving from the pool/open-field stages into the illuminated forest?

There are several reasons behind the strategy and the flow of the stages. Having a daytime stage we felt was crucial after attending a few festivals with limited daytime activities we knew it was something we needed to have. After spending time in South Beach and the amazing daytime vibe that is created there we wanted to bring that feeling to the Pacific Northwest and that became the inspiration for the Splash Pool Stage. Due to sound complaints from the neighbors after our first year on Wolf Run Ranch we worked on a compromise with them to end the large stages in the open field at midnight but you still need entertainment for your participants so we created smaller more intimate stages in the forest for late night.

6. What are some of your favorite aspects of the venue at Wolf Run Ranch?

Not only is it the place where we host What The Festival, Wolf Run Ranch is our home. Wolf Run butts up against national forest and has spectacular views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams and the Cascade mountain range. It’s truly a magical property.

7. WTF has many unique stages including the Dragon, the Groove Qube, the Pool Stage, & Silent Disco to name a few.

a. Are there any new stages coming to WTF for this upcoming year?

We think 8 stages is a good number for now :)

8. I think the Get Involved program of WTF really enhances the community feeling of WTF. It gives those who attend the sense that we all kind of help to create the event into the fantastic, beautiful being that it is.

a. Can you tell us more about the Get Involved program of WTF and how that program has grown throughout the years of WTF?

Every festival has a volunteer program, there is no way a festival can survive without its volunteers. So we started with our volunteer program but over the years we have realized that our participants want to give in so many different ways that we wanted to help facilitate that by providing them different ways to get involved to share their creativity and passion. Volunteers do everything from art installations, traffic control, being part of our street team getting the word out to being an Ambassador for getting their friends onboard every year.

9. Do have any advice for someone going to WTF for the first time?

Come with an open heart, an open mind and be prepared to make a lot of new friends!

10. In the next couple of years, what are some goals you would like to achieve for WTF?

11. If there’s anything else you’d like to speak on and you haven’t had the chance to we would love to hear it!

12. Is the Groove Qube coming back? Because the Groove Qube is honestly my favorite stage out of all of the festivals I’ve been to.

The Groove Qube will definitely be there this year!

1. At what point during the year do you start working on assembling the line-up — the day after the festival ends? What are the biggest challenges you face each year?

Lol, I’m already working on the lineup for 2018. I think some of our biggest challenges is keeping the festival exciting with new experiences.

2. What The Fest always has a lineup that’s very diverse — Last year there was everything from Rock to EDM (with everything in between). How do audiences react to such diverse bills?

We feel our participants love the variety of music. While you can’t please everyone we try to offer something for everyone.

3. What is the greatest obstacle throwing WTF you have encountered? (i.e. a band cancelled last minute, didn’t arrive, had ego problems, etc).

Neighbors have probably been our biggest obstacle. Initially there was a lot of NIMBY (not in my backyard) because we were new and there was lots of fear about who we were and what we were doing. Now, we have a huge support base in the community after 5 year. They get it now!

4. Do you look to other European festivals for inspiration, musically or otherwise?

We take inspiration from everywhere, but are always trying to be our own. We were the first to do a lot of experiences and to the best of our knowledge, we are the only one with a Splash pool stage.

5. What would you say is the one defining characteristic of What The Festival that sets it apart from all other festivals?

That’s a tough question but I think one of the biggest things that set us apart is our location. Wolf Run Ranch is a breathtaking property with Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams as our backdrop with an amazing forest for our participants to camp in and a place for us to create the Illuminated Forest. Another defining characteristic is we have, from the start taken an approach to be a Boutique festival vs. something for the masses. We want a place that is comfortable and intimate, but providing an outstanding lineup and art experience.

6. What would you expect to experience if you attend What the Festival this year, any surprises in (2017)?

If I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise would it? :) Our Illuminated forest and the art experiences are always somewhat of a surprise because of the ever changing curation with different installations each year.

7. What were some of your favorite highlights of 2016?

Watching the dragon stage get to breathe fire. Prior years we had a fire ban in place, so the to see the dragon breathing fire was one of our highlights.

8. Can you talk about the festival’s lineup? Why were these specific bands & artists chosen?

We look at everything from what’s trending in music to even doing a survey asking our participants want they to hear.

9. What kind of food & vendors can festival-goers look forward to?

We feel it’s very important to offer a wide variety of food options. Vegan, Gluten Free, pizza to hamburgers. In years past we have had Sammitch Foodtruck, Get Fried Rice, Dump City Dumplings, and even a sustainable sushi truck! We want our participants to eat well!

10. What type of visions and goals do you have for coming years?

Our goal is to achieve financial sustainability while maintaining our Boutique festival intimacy.

11. What would you say What The Festival is, in your own words?

What The Festival is a place for our participants to hit the reset button, recharge their batteries and let your inner child run wild.

1. How does it feel to be Oregon's Premier outdoor EDM event?

We are very proud, but it’s been a huge effort by everyone, especially our participants, volunteers, staff and contributing artists.

2. What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

Hearing the life changing experiences that happen at What The Festival keeps us motivated. Yearly weddings from people who met at the festival in prior years is just a small example of the life changing events that take place there.

3. How do you see the relationship between music and the location it's performed at? What are special characteristics of your concert space, would you say?

I think the location is a huge part of your experience. Look at Red Rocks and the Gorge, the venue adds so much to the overall experience. Being outside in nature while listening to your favorite bands can leave a lifelong impression on you. What The Festival takes place on Wolf Run Ranch which has breathtaking views of both Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, a fir and oak forest for our participants to camp in and explore.

4. When did you start in a curatorial role - and what or who were your early passions and influences?

5. How would you describe and rate the music scene in the Northwest and how much does it get featured in your programming?

I think the music scene in Portland and the Northwest is some of the best in the world. The residents of the Pacific NW are very passionate about their music and we are very proud to support our local PNW talent.

6. Is objectivity in any way a goal in your own work? What, other than your personal taste, are criteria for defining quality? Can you explain the creative process from start to what attendees experience?

7. Tell me a bit about your perspective on the selection process for your programming, please. In how far do labels, companies, agencies, the media and public awareness of an artist or band play a role in programming them? How much room is there in your work for taking creative risks?

So much plays a part in our programming. Everything from agents reaching out to us, to us listening to what our participants want to see and hear. I feel every lineup is a bit of a creative risk. You can’t please everyone and but you hope you did the best you could and that there is a bit of something for everyone.

8. It has often been mentioned that "the future of music is in live". What's your perspective on this? What kind of unique experiences does a concert experience continue to offer to this day?

9. I have noticed more extracurricular activities at WTF than any other event I have been to. The aesthetics are simply outer worldly! What's your take on extra-musical concepts like presentations, discussions, art exhibitions and the like as an enrichment of What The Festival?

We have always wanted to more than just a concert. Interactive art, movement workshops, spoken workshops are all crucial to making us who we are. I think fans and participants as they grow older want a richer more interactive experience and an immersive festival like What The Festival offers that to them.

10. How do you stay current with industry trends and issues?

11. What is the WTF philosophy or mission statement?

Our mission is simple, We want to move your bodies, senses and soul. We want you to leave feeling connected and to be inspired from your full immersion into art, music and community.

12. What's the number 1 reason everyone should attend?

It’s a great place to come play.

Want to know more about What The Festival? Links Below :)

Website: https://whatthefestival.com/

What The Festival 2017 Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/844672752336978/

What The Festival 2016 | (OFFICIAL) After Movie: https://vimeo.com/174614008

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