No matter where you are in the country, there is a season (or seasons) of festivals. Music festivals, Oktoberfests, State Fairs ...the list goes on and on. Most of the time, the entertainment that you find on the stages of these events are exclusively musical acts. While there are certainly merits that go along with this strategy (a convivial atmosphere being foremost), it is often beneficial to provide another offering...a palate cleanser, if you will.
The Essential Role of Variety In a Lineup
So, you want to keep big crowds happy? Going with bands isn't the only road to that goal. Great variety entertainers can be your ace-in-the-hole. They know how to create routines that fit an event's theme, and that are FAMILY-friendly. A child isn't going to identify with an artist that had a hit in the 70's, but they (along with their parents), will have a great time watching a professional juggler/ventriloquist/comedy magician.
Plus, booking an act that requires little set-up can fill dead time between acts that do!
Try Something Different, and Reap the Rewards
When you add up all the benefits - the widespread appeal to many demographics...the multi-sensory excitement of skill set to music...and the different (yet just as powerful) connections made between performer and audience - it would be silly to discount the extra dimension that a variety performance can bring to an outdoor stage.
