The organizers of the Simi Fest are betting on direct audience participation by allowing the public to define part of the lineup. By letting the public directly influence the lineup, Simi Fest creates a sense of belonging among potential attendees. The most recent edition of the festival supports the expectations generated by this new call. Last year, Simi Fest took place in November with a lineup that included Empire of the Sun, Leon Bridges, Caloncho, and Maribou State as some of its main acts. Sonic diversity was one of the most highlighted elements of that edition, combining proposals from electronic, indie, and alternative pop, which attracted different audience profiles. Through a post on its official social media, the festival asked its audience to choose the headliners for its next edition. The dynamic, which quickly generated interaction among users, proposes different forms of digital participation that translate into votes for specific artists. According to the mechanics proposed by the festival itself, each action within the post represents a specific vote for a different artist. This strategy turns the post into a gauge of public interest. How to vote? The rules are clear and depend on the type of interaction users perform: Liking the post is equivalent to voting for Snoop Dogg. Commenting favors MGMT. Saving the post adds points for The Chemical Brothers. Reposting boosts Justice. Sharing the post supports Tame Impala. This gamified format allows fans to participate in a simple way, while the festival gets clear metrics on which artists generate the most expectation. The initiative also reflects a growing trend in the music industry: involving audiences in decision-making.
