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We chat with Ritesh Patel, CEO and co-founder of Ticket Fairy and founder of LOCUS Festival (A Drum 'N' Bass Experience in Paradise), to talk about how a love for throwing parties turned into building real systems that help promoters bring their vision to life.

Ritesh shares what producing over 400 shows taught him about the biggest challenges promoters face, not a lack of creativity, but a lack of time, tools, and capital. Those lessons shaped how Ticket Fairy works, from affiliate ticketing to fair resale and smoother on-site entry.

We also get into lineup flow, crowd energy, and why thoughtful curation matters just as much as booking big names. From creating Locus in Tulum and Bali to navigating agents, weather chaos, and even a volcano, Ritesh breaks down what it really takes to build festivals people feel connected to.

This conversation is all about supporting independent festivals, leading with community, and helping organizers actually see their ideas through.

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In this episode, we’re catching up on everything that shaped our year and talking honestly about where Festies is headed in 2026.

We share quick reactions from Governors Ball (June 5th - 7th in New York City), and walk through our 2025 scorecard, including what we hit, what we missed, and what we learned along the way.

Follow along with Festies Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube @festiespodcast

Cheers to 2026!

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We’re recapping our favorite Festies moments of 2025 — from Portola, SFJAZZ, Give Thanks, ACL, Stagecoach, Bonnaroo, and beyond. We talk about standout shows, unexpected moments, and the little things that made this year unforgettable.

As we head into the off-season, we’re slowing the release schedule while leveling up the storytelling. Got a topic or guest idea? DM us, share with your fest friends, and leave a quick rating or review to help others find the show.

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We’re breaking down Bonnaroo’s early 2026 lineup drop, the festival’s return after last year’s rain, and why this mix of headliners, legacy acts, and deep-cut gems is sparking so much conversation. Plus, we get into the Reddit debate on the lineup and share our must-see picks.

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We spent Thanksgiving weekend on the dance floor at Give Thanks in San Jose. From dark, bass-heavy energy to melodic, feel-good moments, the weekend showed how one festival can hold two completely different sides. We break down the sets, the crowd, the venue logistics, and the one upgrade we’re hoping for next year. Join us as we recap Give Thanks and share what the community is thankful for.

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The Okeechobee 2026 lineup dropped, and we are all in. If the stars align, this will be our new fest for 2026. With its stacked reggae presence, eclectic mix of artists, and a setting actually built for comfort—shade, hammocks, and the iconic AquaChobee beach—it shot straight to the top of our list. Join us as we break down the lineup and get to know the festival behind it.

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A weekend add-on that promised shuttles, suites, and sunrise sets turned into a cautionary tale. In this episode, we break down how Home Bass, the resort “takeover” tied to EDC Orlando weekend, unraveled amid last-minute venue changes, vague updates, and a same-day cancellation that left so many people scrambling. It’s a late review, but the story still matters!
And before we get into it…

Happy Thanksgiving, Festies! We hope you’re cozy, safe, and surrounded by good people today.

Sunny's Festival Corner:

Dimension Festival

Gem & Jam Festival

Give Thanks 2025

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Sunny & Clark spent a night at the San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival and got an honest look at how his music lives on in the community. The festival is put on by Conspiracy of Beards, a Bay Area choir dedicated to performing Leonard Cohen’s music.

In this episode, Sunny & Clark tell Vanessa all about their experience at The Great American Music Hall, where they saw the Red Room Orchestra perform the score from the film McCabe & Mrs. Miller—a soundtrack built entirely on Leonard Cohen’s tender, sardonic songs.

Shout-out to Clay Smith, the festival’s director, for inviting Festies into such a memorable night.

For more Festies content, please follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @FestiesPodcast

Sunny's Festival Corner

1. Noah Kahan's Out of The Blue

2. The Music Fest at Steamboat Springs

3. ALTer EGO

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