Music festivals can be a tricky beast to manage, especially in today’s temperamental market. That said with smaller, more specialised and boutique music and arts festivals looking as healthy and promising as ever, planning on running your own musical festival isn’t impossible.

We chatted with Andrew  Orvis the director of Queenscliff Music Festival, the boutique family friendly music festival which is in its 18th year about the ins and out of running a music festival.


Andrew Orvis is the director of Queenscliff Music Festival (QMF). having works as part of the QMF team as artistic program co-ordinator and the operations manager, Orvis was given the role of QMF ‘Director’ earlier this year. Held in Queenscliff, the three day long festival which runs from the 28th-30th of November has become a musical and cultural institution, and one of Victoria’s most exciting and popular festivals. This year’s line up features ian impressive line up of local talent including D.D. Dumbo, Tkay Maidza Dan Sultan, The Church and so many others. For more info you can visit their website. 

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Booking Is A Bit Of A Balancing Act

“People ask me what the ‘formula’ is all the time, and to be perfectly honest, I have absolutely no idea. It’s all just about getting the basic things right….. good music, good shows, good sound, and then for us diversity is key too. We try and book a little bit of everything. It’s a balancing act across the board. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we get it wrong.”

Don’t Be Scared To Make Mistakes

“We’ve fucked up so many times too. Missed out on acts we should have got and then regretted it ever since. My partner told us to book this random young NZ girl she’d heard online. This was maybe early 2013 . We weren’t that keen. Her name was Lorde. Oops.”

When Booking The Line Up, It’s Not The Be All And End All

“I’d love to be Meredith and just book shit that we love, with no care about how many tickets we’ll sell. Meredith could book The Wiggles and everyone would still show up and have a blast, so I think that just proves the Line Up isn’t the most important thing anyway.”

Be Smart About Choosing What Dates To Run Your Festival

“The best time to book a festival henever it’s guaranteed to be 25 degrees and clear blue skies!

But really, for 18 years now QMFs been held on the last weekend in November. I’m told the theory was that it was a really quiet time in town that weekend every year so they wanted to get people in. The other theory was the local fisherman thought that time of the year traditionally had the lowest rainfall. We’ve proved them wrong a couple of times!”

Location Is Important

“Location is key for us. We’re all about Queenscliff and the town. The main festival is held in some beautiful park land right beside the beach and pier, then the festival is scattered throughout the town too with smaller venues, buskers, markets etc. I think people are looking for more than just your stock standard festival on the side of a paddock hill vibe.”

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Dealing With Suppliers Is Also A Balancing Act

“Quality verse price is a tricky game to play with a lot of them. It’s also important to find good, like-minded people who get the event. In terms of foodies that one’s simple….just find the most delicious ones and a good variety too!”

Consider Sponsors, But You Can Survive Without Them

“I’d say sponsors are important for a smaller community based event like us as we rely on generous donations and support (we’re actually a registered charity!). Again though I’d go back to the example of Meredith… where they survive without them.”

Get Your Budgeting Sorted

“We run QMF on a shoe-string compared to many other events I’m sure. It takes us first few month of the year just working on plans, including budgets. I think the trick is flexibility. Budgets mean jack-shit if your sales are slow, or if your production/artist costs are up.”

Don’t Forget About Insurance

“Insurance is very important! There are so many bloody types too. Insurance brokers are worth their weight in gold. Peace of mind is important with major events as there’s so many variables.”

A Good Event Will Sell Itself

“When it comes to publicity and marketing, the most important method is word of mouth. It really is the best ticket seller going around. Our email mailing list sells us more tickets than anything. Social media is obviously great too as it just creates word of mouth for you.

A good event, will sell itself. So get the basic stuff right and people will come.”

Photo source: QMF Facebook

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