The Quiet Music Festival in Portland is not your typical music festival. Chris Johanson has been organizing the festival for four years now, after a lifetime of playing in a punk rock band left the musician with bad hearing and tinnitus. The ear conditions rendered the musician unable to attend typical music festivals, but inspired him to start a music festival that could be enjoyed by those that did not like or were unable to handle loud music. Johanson says “I’m into the idea of people doing art for their whole lives.”
Atmosphere of the Show
Besides being very quiet, the show is also conducive to sleep in other ways. The guest area is decked out with pillows and soft, fluffy couches. The room is also dimly lit, with paintings on the walls and beautiful but low-key art and textiles. The premise is that the festival is geared towards relaxation, and even sleep. Johanson says that he likes the idea of conscious and subconscious dancing together to the tune of music.
Unlike most music moguls, Johanson does not want the event to become bigger. The Quiet Music Festival is community minded with a focus on bringing people together, and a surge of popularity could change the entire experience. The idea of experiencing things in a dozy state has already been rising in popularity, however, with New York City hosting “The Dream of the Red Chamber” play. What do you think of low-key festivals such as this? Would it be nice to nap while listening at a concert?