🎧 Listen to the episode below:
Getting Booked at Major Music Festivals
Every artist dreams of stepping onto the big stage at a major festival like LASSO or Osheaga, but how do you actually get there?
In this episode of Mastered, host Jenna chats with Patrick Guay, Senior Manager of Booking, Concerts and Events at Evenko, the team behind some of Canada’s biggest festivals.
Patrick’s story started on the road as a musician himself, eating cold cans of Chef Boyardee in a van while touring across Canada. Fast forward to today, and he’s one of the key people shaping festival lineups for more than 1,600 events across Quebec and the Atlantic region each year.
From the Van to the Main Stage
Patrick’s journey through the music business shows that there’s no single path to success. He’s worked in labels, marketing, and management, and now helps decide which artists make it onto festival stages.
His biggest piece of advice? You have to be able to sell tickets in your home market. Festivals need artists who can bring people through the gates. It’s not just about talent or social media buzz—it’s about proving you can fill a venue.
What Festivals Look for When Booking Artists
If you’re dreaming of playing major festivals, here’s what Patrick says matters most:
- Ticket Sales Matter. Festivals want artists who already draw a crowd. Build that fan base first.
- Start Small. Don’t expect to land a main stage slot right away. Smaller stages can be stepping stones to bigger opportunities.
- Be Easy to Work With. Professionalism, reliability, and attitude go a long way when it comes to getting booked again.
- Have a Strong Team. If you’ve got an agent advocating for you, you’re already ahead. Agents help festivals trust that you’re ready for a larger stage.
Patrick also reminds artists that booking is not just about money—it’s about how you fit into the lineup and the overall fan experience.
Inside the Festival Experience
The LASSO Festival offers a unique, city-based experience compared to traditional camping festivals, while Osheaga continues to be a major destination for artists from all genres. Evenko’s approach to booking focuses on creating a balance between crowd favourites, emerging talent, and artists who are on the verge of breaking out.
Patrick shares that collaboration and community among festivals help strengthen the entire live music ecosystem in Canada. Every successful event helps lift others up.
Building Momentum as an Indie Artist
Patrick’s best advice for independent artists is to focus on growth at home first. Sell tickets in your own city, nurture your audience, and create a live experience people want to come back to. When festivals see that you’re building locally, they’ll start paying attention.
He also encourages continuous learning—keep improving your live show, keep networking, and keep showing up. The artists who combine great music with a professional, hardworking attitude are the ones who eventually make it to the main stage.
About Patrick Guay
With nearly a decade at Evenko, Patrick Guay serves as Senior Manager, Booking, Concerts and Events. His work plays a major role in shaping the lineups for LASSO and Osheaga, as well as hundreds of other shows each year. His experience across multiple sides of the industry gives him a 360-degree view of what it takes to succeed in live music today.
Ready to Learn More?
Tune in to the full episode of Mastered to hear Patrick and Jenna discuss festival booking strategies, the realities of the music business, and how to prepare yourself for that big festival moment.
👉 Listen now, follow Mastered, and get insider tips from the people shaping Canada’s biggest music festivals.
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
