As we bid goodbye to Summer 2023, it's time to reflect on festival season.  

We like to take a look at some of the highlights and trends that stood out across many different festivals and live events this summer, not only to reflect on a fantastic summer but to identify areas where we can develop innovative solutions to help your festivals run smoother. We all know that classic festival wristbands provide a perfect secure entry solution, and that a lanyard and festival pass allows staff, artists and customers to be easily identified, but we wanted to explore the new and different emerging trends.

1. Safety Wristbands for Children.

Safety took center stage, especially concerning children and vulnerable adults. Personalised safety wristbands became a staple at all events, not just the family friendly ones.  Featuring emergency contact details, allergies, and other essential information, these wristbands offered parents and carers peace of mind while allowing little ones to revel in the festival fun. Single use, reusable or secure we saw a rise in Tyvek, Fabric and Silicone wristbands being used to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.

Young girl wearing a safety wristband sitting on adult's shoulders at a music festival.

2. Bag and Tent Tags. – No more Lost Belongings

With the rise in multi-day festivals came the challenge of safeguarding personal belongings. Enter Bag Tag and Tent Tags – a wristband offshoot that ensured belongings found their way back to their owners. Whether it was a misplaced backpack in a concert throng or a tent in a sea of similar-looking shelters, these tags were lifesavers. Cost effective and reliable these tags utilised our Tyvek and Chroma wristbands ensuring all belongings were kept safe.

3. Build and Break Wristbands: The Convenience Champions

All events need to be created and removed and this involves many different groups of people over all industries across the whole festival site, therefore bringing a security challenge for event organisers! Our 'Build and Break' wristbands are designed for easy application and removal, without compromising on security can be easily coloured to areas or days and have been popular this summer. From a range of Vinyl or Tyvek wristbands they have proved to be a favorite among event organisers and attendees alike.

4. Tech-Aided Festivities: QR Codes, Barcodes, and RFID

This summer we saw the union of technology and festival wristbands reach new heights:

All of these were ultilised by some of the largest festivals and events adding the extra layer of security.

A phone scanning a QR code for a quick event check-in
  • QR Codes: From quick event check-ins to accessing exclusive event content, QR code wristbands were everywhere. They transformed smartphones into a hub of festival-related activities, ensuring a seamless digital-physical blend.
  • Barcodes: Primarily for security and authentication, barcode wristbands were crucial in curbing counterfeits and unauthorized entries.
  • RFID: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) wristbands were the unsung heroes behind cashless transactions, location tracking for safety, and personalized experiences based on attendees' preferences.

5. Going Green with Eco Wristbands

As the global eco-conscious wave continued, festivals weren't left behind. Summer 2023 saw a surge in demand for sustainable wristband solutions:

  • Recycled PET Wristbands: Made from recycled plastic bottles, these wristbands were a testament to how waste could be transformed into something functional and fashionable.
  • Biodegradable Bamboo Bands: Lightweight, durable, and 100% biodegradable, bamboo wristbands catered to the eco-conscious festival-goer without compromising on style.
Showing a range of eco-friendly products from lanyards and passes to wristbands

Recycling Schemes: Many festivals this summer were keen to utilise our recycling scheme. Attendees could deposit their wristbands post-event, sent back to us and we then recycle all waste, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

In conclusion, Summer 2023 was not just about live music, summer sun and vibrant festivities. It marked a significant evolution in how festivals integrated safety, technology, and sustainability into their DNA, primarily through innovative wristband solutions. As we look ahead, these trends set a promising tone for the future of events, hinting at more innovations and responsible celebrations.