The Crucial Role of Marshals and Stewards

What Makes a Good Staff Team for Music Festivals?

Music festivals are vibrant, high-energy environments that attract thousands of people, often over multiple days. While the artists and the music take centre stage, behind the scenes is a team of dedicated staff ensuring everything runs smoothly. Among the most important of these are marshals and stewards, whose presence is critical for safety, organisation, and customer experience.

Whether it’s crowd control, emergency response, or simply offering helpful directions, a competent staff team can make or break a festival’s success. For organisers, one of the most efficient ways to build this team is by hiring through a specialist staffing agency. But what truly makes a good staff team for a music festival?

Understanding the Roles: Marshals vs. Stewards

Before discussing what makes a good team, it’s important to clarify the difference between marshals and stewards—two roles that are sometimes confused but are equally vital.

Marshals generally focus on security and crowd control. They are often stationed in key locations to manage access, prevent overcrowding, and respond to incidents.

Stewards, on the other hand, are more focused on customer service. They provide information, direct foot traffic, check tickets, and assist attendees.

Both roles require good communication skills, alertness, and a calm, confident demeanour.

2. Qualities of an Effective Festival Staff Team
A good staff team should combine professionalism, adaptability, and teamwork. Here are the core qualities to look for:

Communication Skills
Festival environments are loud and chaotic. Staff must be able to communicate clearly, even in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s using radios or face-to-face interaction, clear messaging helps avoid confusion and keeps the event running smoothly.

Conflict Management
Marshals especially must be trained to handle disagreements, intoxicated individuals, or emergency evacuations with authority but also empathy and tact.

Crowd Awareness
Both marshals and stewards need to understand how to monitor and manage crowd behaviour. The ability to recognise early signs of overcrowding or agitation is key to preventing incidents.

Physical and Mental Endurance
Festivals often require long hours on foot, in various weather conditions. Staff must stay alert, hydrated, and professional throughout their shifts.

Team Spirit
Marshals and stewards work as part of a large team. Cooperation and mutual respect among staff ensure effective coordination and quicker responses.

3. The Benefits of Hiring Staff from an Agency
Recruiting a large, capable team can be daunting for festival organisers. That’s where staffing agencies come in.

Pre-vetted and Trained Personnel
Agencies specialise in sourcing staff who are already trained and experienced in working festivals. This reduces onboarding time and risk.

Flexibility and Scalability
Agencies can quickly scale up staffing depending on the size and complexity of your event. Whether it’s a local music night or a major international festival, they can provide the right number of staff.

Insurance and Compliance
Reputable agencies ensure all their staff are covered by the appropriate insurance and trained according to health and safety regulations.

Streamlined Management
Agencies often provide on-site supervisors who handle shift scheduling, breaks, and conflict resolution, freeing the festival organisers to focus on other logistics.

4. Training and Briefing: Setting Staff Up for Success
Even if you hire experienced staff through an agency, it’s important to provide event-specific briefings. This includes:

Venue layout: Entrances, exits, medical tents, and restricted areas.

Communication tools: Radio channels, emergency signals, and handover protocols.

Schedule: Timings for artist performances, crowd peaks, and shift rotations.

Contingency plans: What to do in case of bad weather, technical failure, or a medical emergency.

Effective briefings ensure everyone is aligned, minimising confusion on the ground.

5. Creating a Positive Work Environment
A happy team is a motivated team. Festival work is intense, and staff need to feel appreciated. Here’s how organisers can support morale:

Provide refreshments during long shifts.

Offer breaks in shaded or sheltered areas.

Encourage respectful interaction between all staff, volunteers, and contractors.

Collect feedback post-event to improve future operations.

FAQs: Marshals and Stewards at Music Festivals

Q: What’s the main difference between a marshal and a steward?
A: Marshals focus on safety and crowd control; stewards are more focused on assisting and directing festival-goers.

Q: Do marshals and stewards need qualifications?
A: While formal qualifications aren’t always required, most agencies provide basic safety, conflict management, and first aid training. Some roles may require SIA (Security Industry Authority) licensing.

Q: How many marshals or stewards are needed for a festival?
A: This depends on the event size, venue layout, and local authority requirements. A staffing agency can conduct a site assessment to recommend the correct ratio.

Q: Can marshals detain individuals?
A: Marshals can intervene in situations but generally do not have the legal powers to detain people unless they are licensed security personnel.

Q: How early should you hire staff for a festival?
A: Ideally, planning should start at least 2–3 months before the event. This allows time for vetting, training, and logistical coordination.

Q: What should I look for in a staffing agency?
A: Look for agencies with a solid reputation, clear insurance policies, positive client reviews, and experienced staff in live event management.

Conclusion: The Foundation of Festival Safety and Experience

A well-trained, professional staff team is the backbone of any successful music festival. Marshals and stewards play an indispensable role in keeping attendees safe, informed, and happy. By partnering with a reliable staffing agency and fostering a supportive working environment, festival organisers can ensure their event is not only memorable but also safe and well-managed.

When your crowd feels secure and your team is functioning like clockwork, that’s when the real magic of a music festival comes alive.