The Best Two-Way Radios for Music Festivals
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your music festival, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for music festivals?
The security team at the front gate just spotted someone trying to sneak in through a side entrance. The line at the main entrance is growing fast, but ticket scanners are short-staffed and overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, a performer scheduled to go on in ten minutes is stuck in the wrong area because no one was told where to escort them.
These are all common issues in a music festival - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios.
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your music festival, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your festival needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For small festivals, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage indoors or 1-2 miles outdoors.
Larger festivals (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet indoors or 3-5 miles outdoor, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for Music Festivals:
- Operations handles overall coordination between departments and keeps the schedule running smoothly.
- Security manages crowd control, lost & found persons, and emergency responses.
- Medical is reserved strictly for first aid and emergency medical teams to communicate clearly without interference.
- Production keeps the stage crew, lighting, and sound teams in sync before, during, and between performances.
- Box Office handles ticketing issues, will call, and entry problems.
- Vendor Support connects with food, drink, and merchandise vendors for supply needs or troubleshooting.
- Volunteers gives volunteer coordinators a direct line to their team for assignments and check-ins.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great music festival radio?
- Long Battery Life Staff may be on-site for 12+ hours—radios need to last all day without constant charging or swapping.
- Rugged and Weather-Resistant Build Festivals mean outdoor environments, unpredictable weather, and the occasional drop. The radios should handle dust, rain, and rough use.
- Clear Audio Quality Between live music, crowds, and generators, it gets loud. Radios should have powerful speakers and noise-cancelling tech so messages don’t get lost in the noise.
- Multiple Channel Support To keep departments like Security, Medical, and Production separated, radios must support multiple channels with easy switching.
- Emergency Alert Button If someone needs help fast—especially Security or Medical—they need a one-touch emergency feature to alert others instantly.
- Hands-Free Options Headsets or VOX (voice-activated transmission) allow crew to talk without holding a radio—crucial for those working with both hands, like stagehands or medics.
- Long Range Coverage Festivals often span wide open areas or have multiple zones—radios need enough range to cover the full site without dead spots.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Music Festivals
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for music festivals of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Small Festivals
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Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage. Channels: 10 Power: 1 watt digital (equal to 4 watt analog power) Coverage: 300,000 sqft Flexible call options (‘call-all available’, private reply), NO FCC LICENSE REQUIRED! |
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One of the most durable radios on the market.
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Compact and powerful. Easy to use and great battery life.
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Larger Music Festivals - Multiple Buildings
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Ultra-slim, durable, and superior audio clarity for larger coverage needs.
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Best Unlimited Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)
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Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states.
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your festival – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!