Thomas Hart spoke about his time working as a merchandise salesman at a major music festival in 2022, describing it as a period of intense stress and exhaustion. He highlighted how disorganized the team felt, the low morale, and the constant demand for overtime. He shared that the workload was unrelenting and that communication within the group was often unclear, adding to a sense of chaos that made the job tough to endure day after day. He noted that his messages and updates seemed to get lost in a flood of daily tasks, leaving him frustrated and overworked.
Hart recalled that the schedule was structured in a way that made it difficult for workers to track overtime. He explained that timesheets appeared to be designed to minimize the appearance of extra hours, which created a disincentive to report additional time spent on the floor. Others who worked at the festival corroborated the sentiment, admitting that shifts could stretch to as long as 15 hours. The experience left workers feeling compelled to fight for basic protections and fair treatment, highlighting the absence of a dedicated human resources presence on site. The environment was described as far from a typical office setting, with a heavy emphasis on speed, stamina, and customer-facing duties rather than formal support structures.
The 2023 Coachella Festival was held in California, United States, with performances across multiple weekends in April. Headlining acts included Bad Bunny, Frank Ocean, and BLACKPINK, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. The scale of the event underscores why logistics, staffing, and overtime management matter so much to those on the ground. For many workers, the experience underscored the importance of clear schedules, proper compensation for extended hours, and a clear line of communication with leadership teams. It also highlighted the crucial role of on-site coordinators who can address fatigue, safety, and morale, ensuring that the festival runs smoothly for attendees while protecting the rights and well-being of staff members who make the event possible.
Industry observers note that large festival environments require robust planning, fair labor practices, and transparent reporting to avoid the burnout and miscommunication described by Hart and his colleagues. A well-structured operation includes reliable overtime records, responsive management, and a supportive HR presence even in on-site environments. When teams feel supported and valued, performance improves, safety is enhanced, and the overall experience for festival-goers is more enjoyable. The takeaway for future events is clear: prioritize communication, enforce consistent overtime accounting, and maintain a workforce culture that respects limits while still delivering high-quality service and memorable experiences for guests.
Ultimately, the story from Hart’s experience serves as a reminder that behind every big event there are workers whose daily efforts deserve recognition, fair treatment, and a sustainable work pace. By learning from past challenges, organizers can build better systems that balance guest satisfaction with employee welfare, ensuring that the energy and excitement of the festival come from a well-supported team rather than from overburdened individuals pushing through fatigue.