Microchips replace concert tickets, future is now

The word "microchip" is often associated with a lost dog, or conspiracies about governments owning people. That relation is slowly changing though, as the mini electronic disks are finding their way into the world of music. This past weekend, Wakestock became the first UK festival requiring all 15,000 attendees to sport a wristband interlocking with a radio frequency identification microchip. These chips have made appearances at smaller shows in the UK, and were even available to some at the recent Isle of Wight festival, but were not mandatory to all concertgoers until now.

The designers of the futuristic wristband are thrilled about the microchip claiming it has an impressive list of benefits including its ability to be pre-loaded with money for food and drinks. The new wristbands will also eliminate fake tickets, can be canceled if lost, and allow concert organizers to track the number of people on site. However, Wakestock attendees are not nearly as thrilled about the recent invention claiming it is uncomfortable, they are concerned about their movement being tracked, and are worried that the high cost of producing the wristbands will cause ticket prices to rise. These critics also argue that the commercialness of sponsors, which Wakestock had to use for funding the technology, takes away from the spirit of festivals.

In addition to the microchips, the appearance of a Tupac hologram at this year's Coachella is just more proof that music festivals are integrating technology into events more and more...now if only someone would invent a porta-potty that stays clean.