Outdoor folk festivals often showcase the rich sounds of acoustic guitars, violins, cellos, mandolins, and other wooden instruments. However, these instruments are highly sensitive to weather conditions. Temperature swings and humidity levels can quickly throw a perfectly tuned fiddle out of tune or even cause permanent damage to a prized guitar. To ensure stellar performances and protect these valuable instruments, festival producers must proactively manage environmental factors. This comprehensive guide provides seasoned advice on keeping wooden instruments safe and sounding their best outdoors, covering everything from climate monitoring to artist communication.
Monitor Humidity and Temperature
Weather can be a festival’s best friend or worst enemy when it comes to instrument care. High humidity and heat can make wood swell, warping instruments and causing them to sound off-key (www.venta-air.com). On the other hand, overly dry air can make wood brittle and prone to cracks (www.venta-air.com). Ideal Conditions: Wooden instruments stay happiest in conditions that humans also find comfortable – roughly 35% to 60% relative humidity and temperatures around 18–24°C (65–75°F) (acousticmusic.org).
Use a Hygrometer: A wise folk festival producer always has a reliable hygrometer and thermometer on site. Placing these backstage or in instrument storage areas helps the team track conditions in real time. For example, at a high-altitude folk festival in New Mexico, organizers monitored the humidity hourly; when levels dropped below 30%, they deployed portable humidifiers in the green room to prevent guitars from drying out.
Stay Alert to Weather Changes: Outdoor climates can shift quickly – midday sun can send humidity plummeting, while an evening mist can soak the air. Festival staff should subscribe to weather alerts and regularly check conditions. If a sudden heat wave or rainstorm is on the horizon, be ready to act (for instance, by moving instruments to shelter or postponing soundchecks). Proactive monitoring ensures you catch problems before instruments suffer. It’s much easier to adjust the environment than to fix a cracked fiddle.
Keep Cases Close By
Instrument cases are the first line of defense against the elements. Encourage artists and stage crews to keep hard-shell cases (or well-padded gig bags) within arm’s reach whenever instruments are not in use. A quality case creates a buffer from rapid humidity or temperature swings – kind of like a protective cocoon that slows down any sudden changes. For example, if a mandolin has been in an air-conditioned tour bus and it’s about to be brought into a hot, humid festival afternoon, leaving it in its case for a while lets it gradually acclimate, reducing shock to the wood.
Avoid Prolonged Exposure: As soon as a soundcheck or performance ends, the instruments should go back into their cases. It’s tempting for musicians to set their guitar on a stand on stage, but even a few minutes in direct sunlight can heat up the wood and even soften an instrument’s glue, causing joints to loosen. Likewise, unexpected drizzle or even heavy dew in the evening can seep into wood pores. Train stagehands or artist liaisons to assist by having cases ready side-stage and reminding performers to use them. One bluegrass festival in Australia made it a rule that any instrument left unattended must be cased – a policy that saved several guitars during a surprise midday downpour.
Case Humidifiers: Many professionals keep instrument humidifier packs (or Dampits) in their cases, especially for guitars, violins, and ukuleles. As an event organizer, consider having a stash of these humidity-control packs on hand to give out or loan. In arid locales like Arizona or Rajasthan, artists will appreciate the extra measure. Even a simple zip-lock bag with a damp sponge (with holes punched in it) placed in a case can help maintain moisture in a pinch. (Just be cautious to prevent leaks – nobody wants water spilling inside a case!)
Provide Shaded, Secure Tuning Nooks
Giving musicians a comfortable place to tune and warm up is not just a courtesy – it protects their instruments. Set up a shaded, secure tuning nook near the stage for artists. This could be a small canopy tent or a section behind the stage shielded from direct sun, wind, and dust. The area should be secure, meaning only artists and crew have access, so instruments can be left on a stand for short periods without risk of theft or interference.
Shield from Sun and Heat: Direct sunlight is the enemy of wooden instruments. Intense sun can overheat instruments, causing the wood to expand and glue joints to weaken or open up (www.classicfm.com). To combat this, situate tuning areas under trees, tents, or a temporary awning. For instance, at a folk festival in Indonesia, organizers noticed violinists struggling to tune in the sun; they responded by setting up a ventilated tent with fans where all string players could prep their instruments. The result was fewer tuning issues and happier musicians.
Quiet and Climate-Controlled (If Possible): Ideally, the tuning nook should be away from loudspeakers and bustling crowds so artists can hear their instruments clearly while tuning. If the budget allows, provide electric fans or even a portable AC unit in the tuning space on sweltering days. In very humid regions (think tropical Singapore or coastal India in monsoon season), a dehumidifier or silica gel packs in the area can help absorb excess moisture from the air. In cooler climates, a simple space heater near the tuning area can take the chill off and prevent instruments from contracting too quickly. The key is creating a micro-environment that’s gentle on wood: not too hot, not too dry, and definitely shaded.
Supply Humidifiers, Cloths, and Spare Parts
Even with perfect monitoring and shade, instruments might need some TLC during an outdoor festival. Smart festival organizers come prepared with an instrument care kit for artists’ use. Here’s what to include:
- Portable Instrument Humidifiers: Small sound-hole humidifiers for guitars or fiddle humidifier tubes can be lifesavers if humidity drops. Similarly, if you’re in an extremely damp location, having a few desiccant packs (dry packs) available can help – though controlling ambient humidity is preferable, sometimes an instrument kept in its case with a drying pack overnight can prevent it from swelling.
- Microfiber Cloths: Performers will need to wipe down their instruments frequently. Sweat, humidity, and rosin (for fiddlers) can all accumulate. A quick wipe with a soft cloth prevents moisture from seeping into the wood or corroding metal strings and fittings. Provide plenty of clean, dry cloths in backstage areas. Tip: white or light-colored cloths are best – they won’t shed dyes or lint onto an instrument’s finish.
- Spare Tuning Pegs and Parts: Heat and dryness can cause wooden tuning pegs to shrink and loosen, while extreme humidity can make pegs swell and stick hard (beekmanviolin.com). Both scenarios lead to tuning headaches. Having a few common spare parts like violin or cello pegs, bridge pins for guitars/mandolins, and even extra bridge saddles or nuts can be incredibly helpful. For example, at one summer Celtic festival in Canada, a fiddle’s friction peg wouldn’t hold tune because the dry air made it slip continuously. Fortunately, a luthier present at the instrument repair tent applied peg compound and fitted a slightly larger spare peg, saving the performance.
- Extra Strings and Accessories: Always have a stock of various gauge strings (guitar, violin, banjo, etc.), plus picks, rosin, and instrument straps. While strings can break for many reasons, weather changes (especially rapid temperature shifts) can sometimes be the culprit. Artists usually bring their own spares, but in the chaos of touring it’s easy to run out or grab the wrong set. Your festival’s preparedness might save the day if the mandolin player snaps two strings right before their set.
For larger festivals, consider hiring or partnering with an on-site instrument technician or local music shop. A skilled guitar tech or luthier with a workbench backstage can address emergencies – from regluing a lifted bridge to fixing a warped neck – much faster than sending artists off-site. This kind of support is a huge relief for performers, especially those traveling internationally who can’t bring extensive repair kits.
Adjust Schedules During Extreme Heat or Humidity
Flexibility in scheduling can prevent instrument damage during the most intense weather conditions. If forecasts predict a heat spike, tropical humidity peak, or other extreme conditions at certain times of day, adjust the performance schedule accordingly. Protecting artists and instruments is more important than rigidly sticking to the original timetable – the audience will understand if it means better sound and safer conditions.
Avoid the Hottest Part of the Day: In many locations (such as Mediterranean Europe, the southern U.S., or Australian summers), early afternoon can be brutally hot with low humidity. Consider scheduling the most instrument-sensitive acts (solo violinists, acoustic guitar duos, etc.) for early evening or late morning slots instead of the 2 PM window. Some folk festivals in Spain and Mexico, for example, plan a “siesta” or workshop break during the mid-afternoon lull when the sun is fiercest, resuming main stage concerts as the day cools.
Shorten and Stagger Sets: If adjusting the time isn’t possible, tweak the set structure. For instance, during a sudden 38°C (100°F) heat spike at a Texas folk festival, producers split a 60-minute acoustic set into two 30-minute halves with a 15-minute break in between. This gave the string players a chance to retreat into air conditioning and re-tune their instruments, rather than soldiering through an hour of deteriorating tuning on stage. By the second half, both the musicians and their instruments had cooled down enough to perform comfortably.
Health and Hydration: Remember, instrument care goes hand-in-hand with artist care. Extreme heat or humidity that threatens a guitar’s glue also threatens the musician’s well-being. Ensure artists stay hydrated and have shade. A fainting fiddle player or a cracked fiddle – either can derail a show. Sometimes the best schedule adjustment might be an extended intermission or a moved indoor session if conditions become unsafe.
Communicate Instrument Care Tips to Artists Early
Perhaps the most important step is education and communication before the festival even begins. Seasoned festival producers share environmental information and instrument care advice with artists well in advance, typically in the artist welcome packet or via email during the advance planning stage. Don’t assume every performer has experience with your local climate – an oud player from humid Bali might be shocked by the dryness of a Colorado mountain festival, or a fiddler from London might not be prepared for the glaring sun of an outdoor stage in New Delhi.
Include Climate Details in Advance Materials: Clearly outline what kind of weather is typical (or expected) during the festival dates. For example: “Daytime highs around 30°C with 70–80% humidity; nights can drop to 15°C with dew.” Knowing this, artists can pack appropriate gear (like case humidifiers, or a backup instrument they’re less afraid to expose). If your festival is held during a notoriously volatile season (rainy season in India or hurricane season in the Caribbean), give a heads-up on contingency plans and encourage artists to bring rain covers or waterproof cases.
Share Best Practices: Provide a list of tips and best practices for instrument care on site. This might include reminders like: keep your instrument in its case when not playing; use the provided tuning tent for shade; wipe down your instrument after each set; don’t leave instruments in parked cars or in direct sun; allow extra time for tuning before your set, etc. By hearing these recommendations from the festival organizers, artists will know you take instrument welfare seriously – and they’ll be more likely to follow suit.
Two-Way Communication: Invite input from the artists as well. Ask if they have any special requirements or concerns regarding their instruments. Some might request a humidifier in their green room, or a secure overnight storage space for an irreplaceable vintage instrument. If an artist says, “My harp cannot be in direct sun at all,” you can then arrange stage positioning or schedule so that their performance is at dusk or under cover. It’s much easier to address these needs in advance than on the fly. Indeed, some seasoned performers include weather-related clauses in their agreements (for example, specifying a maximum temperature or requiring an alternate indoor option if conditions turn bad). Being aware of such stipulations well ahead of time lets you accommodate them and avoid last-minute surprises or cancellations.
Open communication builds trust and ensures everyone is on the same page once the festival kicks off.
Case Study – International Collaboration: Consider a scenario where a Canadian folk band and a Balinese gamelan group both perform at a festival in Singapore. The Canadians might not realize how the tropical humidity can affect their fiddle, and the Balinese might not consider that an indoor, air-conditioned rehearsal room (if provided) could dry their wooden percussion out. By sharing guidance beforehand, both groups can prepare (the fiddler brings an extra Dampit humidifier, and the gamelan players bring covers for their instruments when moving between air-conditioned spaces and outdoors). The result is fewer surprises and a smoother performance for all.
Key Takeaways
- Keep an Eye on the Weather: Constantly monitor humidity and temperature at your festival site – prevention is easier than repairing a warped guitar later.
- Cases Are Your Friends: Insist that instruments stay in their cases when not on stage. Cases shield against sudden climate shifts and accidents.
- Shaded Tuning Areas: Provide covered, secure spaces for artists to tune and store instruments near the stage, away from direct sun and prying hands.
- Supply Essential Gear: Have humidifiers, dry cloths, spare tuning pegs, strings, and other repair items on hand. A small investment in supplies can save a performance (and an instrument).
- Be Weather-Wise with Scheduling: Don’t hesitate to adjust show schedules or set lengths during extreme heat or humidity. Protecting instruments (and performers) is a top priority.
- Educate Artists Early: Communicate climate conditions and instrument care tips to performers well before the festival. An informed artist will come prepared, and you’ll both be set up for success.
By taking these precautions, festival producers around the world – from the deserts of Arizona to the rainforests of Borneo – can ensure that wooden instruments remain in tune and intact. The goal is for artists to give their best performance without worrying about warped soundboards or slipping pegs. With smart planning and a bit of climate-conscious care, even the wildest outdoor environments can be tamed, allowing the music to resonate sweetly under open skies.
22nd September 2025