This is the year that bitcoin will really take off for lovers of fluorescent paint, camping in a field with thousands of smiling people dressed like Mad Max extras, and dancing until the sun comes up.
Festival organizers around the world are seeing that there is a demand for events to accept bitcoin as payments and, in 2014, they are starting to respond.
Here are six of the best festivals announced so far that will let you pay in bitcoin for your tickets.
Boom Festival
With a slogan: ‘No to corporate sponsors, corporate logos and VIPs, yes to independence, solidarity and creativity’, it is no surprise to learn that Portugal’s popular Boom Festival has decided to accept bitcoin.
The festival – which the organizers say over 100,000 people will attend – is to be held over the full moon from 4th to 11th August at Idanha A Nova Lake, Castelo Branco, Portugal.
As well as offering a plethora of rave dance acts – such as Juno Reactor and Carbon Based Lifeforms – along with performers, psychedelic art, gardens and healing workshops, Boom aims to be an eco event too, with the aim of having a minimal impact on the environment.
People wanting to pay in the currency will need to navigate to Boom’s website, head to the BTC payments page and fill in a form. Once completed, clicking the ‘submit’ button will take the purchaser to the BitPay payment page, where the transaction is finalized.
Lost Theory Festival
Keeping in the psychedelic vein, the Lost Theory Festival, taking place from 22nd-28th July in Deringaj, Croatia, promises “the finest installation art, visuals and decor” along with the “sonic experience brought by a fusion of hi-tech genres and alternative electronic music”.
Alongside dance and ambient acts, such as Justin Chaos and Chromatone, a ‘Dub Forest’ will allow festival-goers to “eat, dance, drink and relax to the vibrations of dub roots music”.
Those wanting to purchase tickets with bitcoin will need to email the organizers (bitcoin@losttheoryfestival.com) to arrange payment.
Lucidity
Lucidity is an “open-source transformational arts and music festival”, that will be staged from April 11th to 13th at the Live Oak Campground (see an interactive map), near Santa Barbara, California.
The festival offers seven distinct ‘villages’, each with a unique theme, and “a world class line-up of musical talent”, as well as local acts.
Paying for your tickets is simple: a button on the ‘buy tickets with crytpocurrency’ page directs you to the Coinbase website where the transaction takes place.
Vegas Loves Brazil
With a completely different vibe, in a radically alternative environment, the Vegas Loves Brazil festival is (surprise surprise) all about Brazilian music and culture.
Taking place in the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, on the weekend of April 5th and 6th, this colourful event hosts Brazilian acts, such as Carla Visi and Banda Cine, along with Samba, funk and capoeira, and food and drink from the region (make ours a caipirinha).
How to pay for your tickets with bitcoin is a bit of a mystery, however. While there is a ‘bitcoin accepted here’ button on the ‘buy tickets’ page, the only payments offered at checkout are credit/debit cards and PayPal. We recommend contacting the organisers via the website.
Dig South
Part conference, part music fest, Dig South is “is the Southeast’s interactive festival celebrating innovation and the digital economy”.
The event is to be held from April 9th to 13th, in a variety of locations across Charleston, South Carolina, and the surrounding area.
The five-day festival will include a two-day interactive conference with “high-level presenters, innovative startups and the Wild Pitch event”, a two-day tech and creative industry expo, a one-day “Culturama” featuring the HACKCharleston Challenge, as well as national bands, comedians and more.
Dig South says: “The theme for 2014 is #mobilize. Conference presenters will explore the mobilization of digital tools, platforms and the global workforce. General tracks include technology, entrepreneurship, marketing, social media, gaming and ecosystems/culture.”
To pay in bitcoin, select the bitcoin registration tab from the festival website and follow instructions on the dedicated bitcoin page.
Porc Fest
Porc Fest, AKA the Porcupine Freedom Festival, is the flagship annual event of the Free State Project held at Roger’s Campground in Northern New Hampshire.
Over 1,500 people are expected to attend this “unique camping event” which takes place from 22nd to 29th June.
According to the organizers it is “a week long celebration of liberty” and includes campfires, panel discussions, presentations, movies, live talk shows, dancing, singing, music, food, parties, “all around liberty-loving good times”.
To register with bitcoin, simply fill out the form on the BTC registration page, fill in the form, and a bitcoin button will take you to Coinbase to complete the transaction.
With popular events like these now flying the flag for bitcoin, it seems it is only a matter of time before most music events and festivals will be accepting payments in the digital currency.