Freelancers are the undeniable backbone of the live events industry. Bouncing from festivals to sporting events to niche corporate engagements, armed with energy, expertise, and a lot of elbow grease. They are usually the ones with dirt under their nails, resolving last-minute snags, soothing nervous speakers, or grappling to keep the power running during a storm. For event organisers, they often serve as the boots on the ground, seeing every detail from the front lines, plugging gaps in staffing or knowledge, and generally putting out fires (both literally and figuratively!). Despite this, many freelancers find themselves feeling more like a set of hands than a valued member of the wider operation. Let’s talk about that for a second, shall we?
THROWN IN THE DEEP END
Stepping onto a new site as a freelancer can feel like walking into a well-oiled machine, a slow-motion car crash, or just about anything in between.
Each event has its quirks and little kinks to work out, but freelancers are often expected to just “know” what needs doing, even
with minimal information or prior briefings. Sometimes, there’s a fantastic handover and a full rundown of what’s expected. But more often than not, you’re thrown a radio and a coffee and plunged into the unknown.
There’s an unspoken expectation that freelancers will just “figure it out”. While that might work for those who have been in the industry long enough to know the ropes, even seasoned pros need event-specific intel. We’re talking simple stuff: Clear expectations, site orientation, and contact points for any welfare support. While event crews are often briefed on every aspect of proceedings, freelancers can sometimes be left out of these discussions, which is both frustrating and a recipe for mishaps.
FREELANCER FEEDBACK (OR LACK OF)
We all know the post-event routine – teams gather, swap stories, breathe a collective sigh of relief, praise what went well, and analyse what went sideways. Within these conversations, the skeleton of next year’s festival or next season’s event begins to take shape, moulded by the insights, reflections, and learnings of the core team. However, freelancers are frequently neglected from these pivotal discussions.
This might seem like a small oversight, but it’s a huge missed opportunity. Freelancers are the eyes and ears throughout an event, often aware of things that slipped through the cracks. Maybe they noticed security was stretched too thin in certain areas or spotted potential bottlenecks at food stations that could be improved next year. They may have had to jump in and resolve problems or rejig processes to improve efficiency. Perhaps they even experienced safeguarding issues first-hand, like witnessing a volunteer who wasn’t in a fit state to work but didn’t know who to talk to about it.
When freelancers aren’t included in these post-festival debriefs, organisers miss out on essential insights that can help an event improve year after year. Plus, it’s a bit of a slap in the face to those who worked their tails off, especially when they are harbouring important feedback about their own and others’ experiences.
LET’S TALK SAFEGUARDING
Now, here’s where we get into something crucial: Freelancer welfare. Historically, welfare policies in the event industry have been more focused on full-time staff and volunteers. Freelancers can end up falling into the abyss of the grey area, leaving us to fend for ourselves.
A standard weekend of work at a festival will usually entail 12-16 hour days. One after another. For some, this may be more like seven or ten consecutive long days. When facing work of this intensity, often at the mercy of the Great British elements, access to basic necessities and welfare should not be left to chance. Stories of freelancers going without water, breaks, adequate facilities, access to designated places to rest, or – devastatingly – a kettle are far too common.
This isn’t just a comfort issue; it’s a safety issue. Freelancers are just as susceptible to burnout, illness, and fatigue as anyone else. Perhaps more so, given the piecemeal nature of the work and the fact that many of us hop directly from one job to another. We all know that tired people make mistakes, and mistakes lead to accidents. Recently, a handful of festivals have started taking steps to address freelancer welfare, something we should be equally celebrating and learning from.
TRAILBLAZERS
Here’s to the events that are getting it right (or at least making an effort):
- Glastonbury Festival: Not only does Glastonbury offer plenty of on-site facilities and designated rest areas, but it has also introduced welfare check-ins for freelancers, making sure everyone feels supported and valued.
- Boomtown Fair: With an emphasis on mental health, Boomtown has started including freelancers in its welfare programmes. It offers access to well- being spaces and has set up mindfulness sessions to help everyone decompress after a long day.
- Shambala Festival: Shambala has a stellar reputation for sustainability and welfare across the board. From talking to freelancers at Shambala, they receive regular welfare checks, structured breaks and benefit from an overall culture that emphasises safety and well-being.
These festivals are setting the standard, showing that a little consideration goes a long way. When you have support, hydration stations, and welfare check-ins in place, freelancers get to truly feel part of the team they’re collaborating with. And a freelancer who feels appreciated? That’s someone who’ll go above and beyond, no question.
CHEEKY SUGGESTIONS
For the event organisers who have made it this far, want to make a change, and are looking for a nudge in the right direction, here are a few basics:
Brief us, please: Don’t skip the quick briefings, even if you think it’s all self- explanatory. It’s better to be clear than to assume we’ll figure it out on our own. Invite us to the post-mortem: We’re not asking to be involved in the whole wash- up session, but a chance to share our observations would be invaluable – for both sides.
Check on us: Welfare checks aren’t just for permanent staff. A quick radio call or a visit to make sure we’re not overworked, hungry, or dehydrated goes a long way.
Designated rest areas: A little corner of peace where we can recharge during hectic days would be a godsend. It doesn’t have to be fancy; it just needs to be available.
Consider our feedback as valuable: We’re the ones in the thick of it. Our perspective can be a game-changer if it’s truly considered and implemented.
WHY FREELANCERS DESERVE MORE
Freelancers are the life force of festivals and events, showing up, getting stuck in, and doing the essential work that brings the whole thing together. But all too often, we’re treated like an afterthought – brought in for the hard work, then forgotten when it’s time to celebrate or reflect on a job well done.
By bringing freelancers into the fold and making sure they’re supported on-site, the events industry has an opportunity
to evolve into something even better. Festivals that lead the way in freelancer welfare are already proving that when you treat everyone with consideration, from the headliner to the last freelancer on-site, you end up with an event that runs smoother, feels safer, and leaves a lasting impression on all involved.
So here’s to a new wave of events that value every hand on deck. As for us freelancers? We’ll keep showing up, rain or shine, ready
to make magic happen – so long as there’s a coffee (and a little appreciation) waiting for us when we arrive.
Source: Cat Kevern on why event freelancers' needs must be considered
