Changes

By the high Middle Ages, between 1000-1250, music festivals and fairs became more common in towns across Europe. These festivals, similar to some of the ancient Greek festivals, were opportunities for contests and games to take place. Musical performances also became common as part of the entertainment, although generally festivals did not focus only on musical performances. Competitions would be held in different towns across Europe and many of these fairs would occur in the spring or more commonly in the summer. Festivals such as these were used as opportunities for families to connect with others or even find matches among the unmarried. Festivals, similar to today, were social but also commercial occasions for those involved.<ref>For more on an example of Medieval festivals and music, see: Davidson, Clifford. <i>Festivals and Plays in Late Medieval Britain</i>. Aldershot, Hants, England ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2007. </ref>

====The Development of Modern Music Festivals====

[[File:600px-Bayreuthfest.jpg|thumb|left|Figure 2. The Bayreuth Festival, first held in 1876, took place in Bavaria and helped to show that festivals could make artists better known through promoting their music. ]]

====Conclusion====

Today, it's hard to imagine summer without musical festivals. Many genres now have their own music festivals, ranging from Classical music to Heavy Metal. Countries in every habitable continent today have music festivals. Some focus on traditional, folk music, while others are geared towards younger audiences or those who prefer period-based music. Music festivals were often part of larger events, but by the mid-Twentieth century, promoters began to see music festivals holding their own weight in bringing in revenue and, at first, with Jazz and then later Rock, music festivals became very popular venues that have become well established as part of Summer culture.

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[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Music History]] [[Category: Cultural History]]