Festival season is in full swing, and we’re here for it – bucket hats, plastic pints, questionable dance moves and all.

Here at Marketing Doris HQ, we’ve recently enjoyed James belting out the classics under the stars at the glorious Piece Hall in Halifax, and we’re counting down the days ‘til Paul Heaton brings his lyrical genius to the same stage at the end of July. Add in the Oasis tour hype hitting fever pitch across the country, and well… it’s clear we’re a nation who loves a singalong in the open air.

But here’s the thing – festivals and outdoor gigs aren’t just about the music. They’re marketing goldmines. Massive income generators. Brand-building beasts. And if you look a little closer, they’ve got a lot in common with how we approach marketing for our clients.

Let’s break it down.

1. Hype Builds the Crowd (and the Pipeline) - Months before a single guitar string is strummed, the promo machine is already whirring. Posters pop up. Spotify ads sing their siren call. Local radio DJs won’t stop talking about it. Even Aldi gets involved – renaming its Manchester branch to "Aldeh" in a tongue-in-cheek nod to how Mancunians (supposedly) say it. It’s funny. It’s shareable. It gets people talking.  That’s exactly what good marketing does: creates anticipation, awareness, and a touch of FOMO. Whether you’re selling gig tickets or graphic design services, people need to know something good is coming.
2. The Knock-On Effect - Take the Piece Hall in Halifax – it’s not just the venue making money when 5,000 people rock up for a gig. Local restaurants are fully booked. Pubs are buzzing. Taxis are in demand. Hotel rooms get snapped up. One event supports an entire ecosystem.  Marketing can (and should) do the same. When you invest in brand-building, smart content, or even a shiny new website, you’re not just ticking a to-do list. You're creating a ripple effect: more visibility, more enquiries, better client fit, stronger community ties. Growth, basically – but with the lights turned on and the amps cranked up.
3. People Want More Than Just the Main Event - At a concert, it's rarely just about the band. It's the street food, the merch, the group selfies, the nostalgia-soaked singalongs. People remember how the whole thing made them feel.  That’s exactly how we approach marketing at Doris. Your service might be the headline act – but we make sure your brand delivers on every level. The visuals. The tone of voice. The journey. Whether we’re managing your socials, polishing your content, or running a campaign – we’re creating an experience.
4. You Don’t Need a Headliner Budget - Not every brand needs to be the Glastonbury of their industry. Some of the best gigs happen in intimate venues with a brilliant atmosphere and a loyal crowd. Your marketing doesn't need to be massive. It needs to be meaningful. A targeted local campaign. A couple of powerful case studies. A regular, reliable newsletter. That’s your acoustic set – low-key, high impact.

So, whether you’re dancing in a field or mapping out your next marketing move, remember this: the energy you put out matters. The build-up matters. The feeling people are left with? That’s the magic.

And if you need a roadie to help make your brand the main stage act, you know where to find me.

Let’s make some marketing noise.

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