Changing The Festival Sobriety Game: 1 Million Strong Announces Wellness Tents At N.O. Jazz Fest & Stagecoach

The impact initiative 1 Million Strong – which is bringing together the music industry, artists and fans to destigmatize addiction and support recovery – has announced a partnership with Stagecoach Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival that will offer festivalgoers the chance to enjoy a sober-supportive wellness retreat space at each event. 

The 1 Million Strong initiative was created as a joint effort between Stand Together Foundation, Stand Together Music, and The Phoenix. The announcement about the partnerships with Stagecoach Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival notes that the need to change the approach to addiction is urgent, pointing to the results of the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) that found that “46.3 million people aged 12 or older (or 16.5 percent of the population) met the applicable DSM-5 criteria for having a substance use disorder in the past year, including 29.5 million people who were classified as having an alcohol use disorder and 24 million people who were classified as having a drug use disorder.” The survey was released in January by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The name of the 1 Million Strong initiative comes from its goal to support one million people in recovery through the strength of community.

The 2023 edition of Stagecoach takes place this weekend, April 28-30, in Indio, California, at the Empire Polo Club with a lineup topped by Luke Bryan, Kane Brown and Chris Stapleton. Located in Cactus Corner, directly north of Guy’s Smokehouse, the 1 Million Strong wellness tent will be available for festival attendees each day when gates open. The tent feature a chance for fans to relax, enjoy alcohol-free cocktails and the chance to connect with others in recovery, those who are choosing a substance-free festival experience and allies in the movement.

“Partnering with Stagecoach Festival is an opportunity to demonstrate how one can find a rich, full life in recovery,” said Scott Strode, Founder and National Executive Director of The Phoenix. “1 Million Strong and the Phoenix are committed to supporting people in recovery through shared experiences, and Stagecoach is a tremendous experience that should be shared by all.”

New Orleans Jazz Fest is set for April 28-30 and May 4-7 at the Fair Grounds Race Course, featuring performances by Dead & Company, Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Santana, Jon Batiste, Jill Scott and many more.

The 1 Million Strong wellness tent will open each day when Jazz Fest opens its gates at 11 a.m., offering a sober-supportive environment complete with mocktail happy hours.

“We are proud to partner with 1 Million Strong to, for the first time, make a wellness space part of this year’s festival — a meeting spot and retreat where individuals in recovery and allies can gather and connect with each other,” said Quint Davis, Producer/Director, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. “We hope that this space will be a reflection of our commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone feels welcome and celebrated.”

The 1 Million Strong initiative has previously partnered with various festivals and events across the country, including Bourbon & Beyond, Louder Than Life, Park City Song Summit, and concerts by artists including The Chainsmokers.

To learn about 1 Million Strong, visit www.1millionstrong.com.