Shaking the Earth: An Inside Look at CAPULET FEST 2024 with Founder ESTEVAN VEGA

ESTEVAN VEGA Interview Pic - COVER PHOTO

CAPULET ENTERTAINMENT, a name synonymous with passion-driven music experiences, has its roots in the unique journey of founder ESTEVAN VEGA. With a love for storytelling and music dating back to his early years, VEGA initially made a name for himself as an author. Yet, as with many great endeavors, CAPULET ENTERTAINMENT was born out of a series of unexpected twists. What started as a one-time celebration for his book ARSON grew into something much larger than he had anticipated—a fully-fledged entertainment company that continues to thrive in the indie rock scene.

VEGA’s vision was not limited to his love of books. Soon after, a conversation with a young aspiring promoter sparked the creation of CAPULET ENTERTAINMENT. While the initial team experienced its share of shakeups, the seeds of what would become CAPULET were firmly planted. Over time, VEGA realized that the combination of live music, indie spirit, and passion for creative events could shape a new movement within Connecticut’s underground music scene.

Fast forward to CAPULET FEST 2024, and CAPULET ENTERTAINMENT is on its third edition of the now-renowned CAPULET FEST. ESTEVAN VEGA has proven his vision of blending intimate concert experiences with top-tier performances from some of the best rock and alternative bands around. With each passing year, the festival grows in both scale and impact. CAPULET FEST stands as a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and community-building that VEGA set out to cultivate when the idea first sparked years ago.

In this interview, VEGA reflects on his journey from being a fifth-grade writer to the helm of CAPULET ENTERTAINMENT, and he shares insights into the challenges, triumphs, and excitement surrounding this year’s CAPULET FEST 2024. For VEGA, CAPULET FEST isn’t just another festival on the calendar—it’s a platform to showcase the vibrant, diverse talent across alternative music genres and to bring together a community of like-minded fans who are passionate about live music.

INFRARED MAG: Estevan Vega, thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us. Can you share the journey of how Capulet Entertainment came into existence and what inspired you to establish the company?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Capulet ENT came about sort of accidentally. I’ve been a writer since about the 5th grade, and I wrote several books before Capulet was born.

So, let’s rewind back to 2010. My book ARSON was coming out, and I wanted to do a unique event to celebrate its release. I threw a killer rock shindig and, although it was my first time putting on a show, it was a cool and memorable experience. I wasn’t really planning on doing more shows, even though music has always been a passion of mine. Fast forward almost 2 years, and I get approached by this young kid (like I was) to ask if I’d be interested in booking shows around Connecticut. I was stoked to begin a partnership. Over the next few months, he and I and one other person began what would become Capulet. We ultimately parted ways before our first show, but Capulet was created, so I guess there was a purpose in all the chaos of those few months.

INFRARED MAG: What motivated the creation of Capulet Fest, and how has the festival evolved since its inception?

ESTEVAN VEGA: In late 2012 or early 2013, I had just created Capulet ENT, and I was discussing with a musician friend how cool it would be to have a festival in Connecticut. At the time, I was about to have the first and only ever Arson Fest (based on my book series), and we were discussing what it might look like to eventually have CT’s own version of Warped. That conversation excited me, but in mid 2013-2014, I kind of walked away from booking shows, and focused more on my writing, so Capulet just became my publishing imprint. A few years later, the concert world came calling back when I was talking to my father-in-law about outreach possibilities, and a dormant passion was reignited. I went back to booking shows, struggled a ton, and had the crazy idea that maybe it was time to revisit that festival idea. In 2022, after some more struggle and a severe family loss, Capulet Fest was born. We grew in year 2. And we’re growing even more in year 3! We’re stoked!

INFRARED MAG: Can you delve into the process of curating the lineup for Capulet Fest 2024 and what criteria you consider when selecting artists to perform?

ESTEVAN VEGA: We got an early start shortly after finishing the festival last year. We didn’t want to wait too long before reaching out to agents and bands for 2024. We confirmed one headliner in the fall and then everything sort of snowballed after that. To be honest, a lot of this business is hurry up and wait, so that can be frustrating, and sometimes agents and bands want to see who else gets confirmed before they confirm. But we worked through all that. A lot of the artists are personal favorites, and some are sought out because they don’t often play Connecticut. We look at Spotify, the socials, the interaction on the socials, the sort of attention bands are getting at the moment, or if a band is doing any kind of reunion.

INFRARED MAG: With the festival now in its third year, how do you differentiate Capulet Fest from other music festivals, both in terms of its lineup and overall experience?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Capulet Fest exists because of a passion to see New England and Connecticut reshaped. We want this thing to be a unique, intimate, memorable experience. We are perfectly situated between all the major hubs of New England. Within 1-2 hours from any city, you can be at Capulet Fest! Our grounds are cool, being that we are at a Speedway, and the stages are close to each other, so it makes it super simple to hop between stages in order to catch a bit of each set if you choose. One stage is outside, and one is inside. We do our best to stagger the artists too! This year’s lineup is very diverse with over 50 bands across the 3-day weekend. Each day has a stellar lineup! Plus, we offer VIP meet and greet packages and an ultimate ticket called the Royal Pass, which gets you an air-conditioned hangout lounge, inside bathrooms, a merch bundle, all the meet and greet experiences, and VIP parking! We thought about the kinds of things we would want in a festival and then we brought it to life for you! What else makes us unique is that our lineup is a great representation of all the different blends of rock, from metal to emo to hard rock to metalcore to even some really heavy stuff and even some alternative or punk. We really are creating a world everyone can play in and rock out to!

INFRARED MAG: Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park is an unconventional yet intriguing choice for the festival venue. What led to the decision to host Capulet Fest there, and how does the location enhance the festival experience?

ESTEVAN VEGA: The grounds are just begging for an event like this! There are tons of room for this fest to grow as well! But the way we have set up our outside stage, so it is pretty close to the inside stage, and in between is a vendor court and a bunch of food trucks, beer tents, and other cool stuff! Everything is close walking distance, and not miles away.

INFRARED MAG: As an independent promoter, what challenges have you faced in organizing and promoting Capulet Fest, and how have you overcome them?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Being a promoter is hard. There’s no way around it. It takes sacrifice, tons of work, it’s a lot of sweat equity that you hope you’ll one day see a return on. Biggest challenge is convincing people that they should want to work with you. Finding a venue who is interested in working on an event like this or having something like this take place on their grounds is a big thing especially, as in our case, if it’s never been done before we came along. Now that we’ve had 2 previous years under our belt, and venues and agents and bands have worked with us to see that bands get paid, the event happens, and attendees have a blast, hopefully every subsequent year gets a little easier.

INFRARED MAG: The festival’s lineup features a diverse range of artists spanning various genres within alternative rock and metal. How do you ensure inclusivity and representation within the lineup?

ESTEVAN VEGA: We touched on this previously, but it’s our goal to have a lot of representation from numerous factions under the rock umbrella. We’ve done this all 3 years. We want unity under rock. All we can do is reach out to bands we love and hope they want to play. It’s insane how many emails were sent to secure the talent for this year. Some bands want to work with us, and some don’t. And some can’t due to scheduling conflicts. If there’s a big-name band you love, chances are we reached out to them to try and make it work. It helps that I love all the different variations of rock that fans will see at Capulet Fest. All we can say is we are very stoked for the lineup this year. You’re gonna wanna be in the pit all day long!

INFRARED MAG: Can you provide insights into the behind-the-scenes logistics of planning and executing a large-scale event like Capulet Fest, from securing permits to coordinating with vendors and sponsors?

ESTEVAN VEGA: The cool thing about our venue is we get to operate under the Speedway, so technically we are a Speedway event, and I am an independent promoter working with the Speedway to throw an event. Even when working with local venues, Capulet ENT operates under the venue, so our main focus is securing talent and vendors. We seek out some vendors and some come to us. Social media helps a lot. Also going to other events and cons and farmer’s markets…it’s sort of like guerilla marketing. Face to face stuff. Acquiring sponsors is tough too, because they want a track record and a guarantee that their product is gonna be in front of thousands. Because we are growing each year, it gets easier the more we grow, obviously. Like bands, a lot of emails, a lot of waiting. If you’re interested in being a sponsor, reach out!

INFRARED MAG: VIP meet-and-greet experiences and festival merch bundles add value to the Capulet Fest experience. How do you conceptualize and implement these offerings to enhance attendee satisfaction?

ESTEVAN VEGA: We love the meet and greet experience, and we definitely recommend getting that upgrade if you want to guarantee that you’ll meet your favorite band. Ours are pretty straight forward. It’s a meet and greet, autograph, and photo op with the band. If there’s time, fans can ask some questions. We even have something special in mind for Friday as long as we can coordinate it with all the bands. We’re very excited!

INFRARED MAG: What role do you see Capulet Fest playing within the broader alternative music community, and how do you aim to foster connections and relationships among artists and fans?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Our goal is to shake the earth and defy the stars. We wouldn’t exist unless we could make an impact. We believe what we are doing is great for the scene and we believe lives can be changed and memories can be created. We want to create an environment where people can let loose and have a great time listening to a ton of sick bands, maybe make out with their significant other, mosh a little, buy some cool stuff, eat some great food, and rinse and repeat for years to come. Our goal is to become synonymous with epic events. We think we’re moving in the right direction. Fans and the industry at large are starting to pay attention. That means the skeleton is starting to grow skin. We’re stoked to play our part in keeping rock alive and well!

INFRARED MAG: With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, how has Capulet Entertainment adapted its approach to organizing and hosting live events like Capulet Fest?

ESTEVAN VEGA: We are very happy to say that the pandemic is in our rearview. We had to cancel several shows in 2020 and put the booking of concerts on hold for almost 2 years because of the impact of the pandemic, and that sucked. We hope that everyone understands the potential risks involved with large gatherings, and when you come, just be smart. Wash your hands, if you’re feeling super sick, take medicine and stay home, and maybe utter a few Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s, find your local witchdoctor and ask for some sanitizer for your fanny pack, just to be safe. That last part was a bit of a joke…mostly.

INFRARED MAG: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of Capulet Fest, and how do you envision the festival evolving in the coming years?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Our vision is to become the destination music festival for New England. We have bands in mind already for next year and the year after, and we’re excited to begin those discussions. We hope to eventually grow this thing beyond the Speedway, and to start thinking nationally. Come along and dream with us.

INFRARED MAG: Can you share any memorable moments or highlights from past editions of Capulet Fest that stand out to you as particularly special or impactful?

ESTEVAN VEGA: In year 1, we booked a band called The Letter Black, and what was cool about that is that they were the first band we ever booked, even before Capulet officially existed. So that was kind of a full circle moment. Also in year 1, that was the first time I had ever booked an event that was all day with multiple stages, so the chaos of bouncing back and forth and making sure everything ran smoothly was kind of a lot. But I survived, thank God! Last year, one of the coolest moments for me was when Memphis May Fire kept saying Capulet in between songs to an enchanted crowd. It was surreal and became even more of a real thing. Like, dude, this is happening for real. Hanging with all my old friends in bands like Spoken, Convictions, and Set for the Fall was great too and booking freaking Norma Jean after 11 years and having them play The End of All Things Will Be Televised was a literal slice of heaven. Lastly, closing out the festival with Emery and Anberlin was insane for personal reasons. I got to hold my son, as I thanked the crowd with gratitude for a successful year of growth. A seed was planted. I showed my little guy that the impossible was made possible, and I think it’ll be great to look back on that when he’s a bit older.

INFRARED MAG: How do you engage with and listen to feedback from attendees and artists to continually improve and refine the Capulet Fest experience?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Several fans reached out last year, and we do our best to take their perspectives into account as we move forward. Band suggestions are a big one. We look at the bands people want, and we reach out. This year, we will have more food options. That was something we noticed last year that people wanted. Having more bands participate in meet and greets! That’s a personal favorite. And getting started with the announcements earlier. We’re pretty done with our announcements before we even announced the first band last year. Let us know what other things we can do better.

INFRARED MAG: As an advocate for independent music and artists, what advice would you offer to aspiring musicians looking to break into the industry and gain exposure?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Work hard. Perseverance will take you far. Keep at it. Play lots of shows in the scene and in your regional and local markets. Get to know different promoters and think about what value you can add to the lineup and to the event. Promote the gigs you’re a part of as if it were your money on the line. That way, everyone comes out on top. It takes everyone doing their part to make a thing successful and to keep the scene thriving. Hone your skills and craft. Become the best musician and lyricist that you can be. Learn from your mistakes and from other musicians who are thriving in the scene. Be the first band in at load in and be the last one out. Stay and mingle with potential fans. There’s tons more, but you get the idea. Art is work, but it’s worth it. Oh, and try to have fun while you’re doing it.

INFRARED MAG: The festival’s lineup features both established acts and emerging artists. How do you balance showcasing well-known bands with providing a platform for up-and-coming talent?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Our hope is that every band gets a chance to shine at Capulet Fest. We stagger bands to the best of our ability, as time allows. When booking a festival of this size, it is important to have big names attached to guarantee people come out. It was always a goal to have smaller bands that were awesome but not as well-known in the mix, and a few bands that are destined to break soon. You gotta pay attention to the markets and use a little bit of intuition to build the best lineup possible. It’s also cool to be able to give a platform to some locals and regionals we’ve been into for a while now, and finally give them a shot, or offer a slot to friends of ours. We have a band on our lineup this year that was actually supposed to make their debut on the East Coast back in 2022 at Capulet Fest, but it didn’t work out. This year, it did. And it couldn’t be a better time!

INFRARED MAG: In what ways does Capulet Fest contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the communities where it’s held, particularly in terms of supporting local businesses and tourism?

ESTEVAN VEGA: We believe the local gas stations, hotels, food places, and Walmart’s all benefit from us, for sure. But it’s hard to measure that yet, as we are still growing at the Speedway. It’s our 3rd year, but our 2nd year in Thompson. We can’t wait to answer this question after we sell this year out!

INFRARED MAG: Can you discuss any sustainability initiatives or green practices implemented at Capulet Fest to reduce its environmental footprint and promote eco-consciousness?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Our focus right now is focusing on the experience of the ticket holder, accommodating the artists, and making this the coolest music festival in New England.

INFRARED MAG: What role do you see technology playing in the future of music festivals like Capulet Fest, and how do you incorporate digital innovations to enhance the attendee experience?

ESTEVAN VEGA: We have huge LED screens on both of our stages that allow us to display cool digital imagery during the Artist performances. Last year, that was great, and a lot of fans liked it! We have exclusive online ticketing and a lot of info about the festival and lineup is shared over our website and socials. We would be open to seeing what a live stream option might look like someday, but in all honesty, we are so in favor of the live experience, the communal aspect of concerts, that if it never happened, we wouldn’t lose sleep over it.

INFRARED MAG: Finally, what message would you like to convey to fans and supporters of Capulet Fest as they eagerly anticipate this year’s event?

ESTEVAN VEGA: Get ready for the best weekend of your lives, homies! Capulet Fest is gonna be insane! Don’t sleep on the VIP add-on or go all in on the Capulet Royal Pass to get all the exclusive benefits so that this weekend will be one to remember. Like and follow us on FB and IG. Tell all your friends about Capulet Fest and share our posts whenever you can. We love you. We can’t wait to rock with you! Defy the stars!

As CAPULET FEST 2024 enters its third year, ESTEVAN VEGA’s unwavering vision for his event continues to evolve, shaping the landscape of the music scene in New England. What started as an ambitious idea fueled by passion has now become a fixture in the rock and alternative music calendar. Each year, CAPULET FEST grows, and with it, so does its influence on both the local scene and the national alternative music community.

Looking ahead, the future of CAPULET ENTERTAINMENT seems as limitless as the creativity that drives it. VEGA‘s passion for curating diverse and inclusive lineups, coupled with his attention to detail in crafting unique fan experiences, sets CAPULET FEST apart from other festivals. From the intimate meet-and-greet sessions with artists to the carefully designed festival grounds, every element of CAPULET FEST is imbued with VEGA’s desire to create a memorable experience for fans and performers alike.

Reflecting on past festivals, it’s clear that CAPULET FEST is more than just music. It’s about fostering connections—between fans and artists, between the music and the community, and even between different genres that share a common love for rock. In this sense, CAPULET FEST transcends the traditional music festival model, becoming a space where memories are made, and dreams take flight. With plans already underway for next year’s festival and an eye toward national expansion, VEGA is set on continuing to defy the stars and shake the earth.

For fans of alternative music, CAPULET FEST 2024 is an event not to be missed. And for aspiring musicians looking to break into the scene, VEGA’s advice is simple: work hard, stay dedicated, and seize every opportunity that comes your way. CAPULET FEST is not just about the music, it’s about creating a movement—a movement that ESTEVAN VEGA, CAPULET ENTERTAINMENT, and every fan who attends is proud to be a part of.