VOLUNTEERING
Photo: Riika Lantto | Qstock 2023
Welcome to Qstock’s volunteering activities!
At Qstock, you can volunteer for various tasks to help organise the festival, such as working in the catering team, at the information desk or, for example, decorating the festival site during the construction week. The minimum age of 18 is required for most of the tasks, but there are also jobs for younger people aged 15 or over.
On this page you will find all the information you need about volunteering at Qstock. At the bottom of the page you will find a link to the application form. Please read the information and instructions on this page carefully before filling in the application form!
Applications will also be accepted after the closing date, when we will reinforce our ranks in case of any additional needs or cancellations. We will start processing applications in May, so please be patient and wait to hear from us. All applicants will be contacted before the festival. Keep an eye also on your junk mail folder just in case!
What is volunteering all about?
As a volunteer, you contribute to the organisation of the festival. Volunteering does not require any specific skills or training. Volunteering comes from everyone’s own motivation and interest. You will have a great opportunity to gain unique experiences, meet new interesting people, learn new things and be an important wheel in the success of the festival as a whole.
You’ll also get to wear a Qstock T-shirt and enjoy a meal in the staff common areas during your work. You will also receive an access pass to the festival grounds, giving you the opportunity to visit Qstock gigs in your free time between tasks. If you are over 18 years old, you will be invited to the festival crew afterparty in Oulu after the festival, where you can once again meet all your old and new friends! Younger volunteers will receive a surprise gift by post.
As a rule, each volunteer have tasks for a specific unit, e.g. information desk, catering, or decoration. However, volunteers are always ready to move from one task to another if help is needed elsewhere.
It is forbidden to be under the influence of alcohol or with a hangover when working.
Qstock’s values include respect and equality for other employees, artists and customers in all situations.
Shift lengths
Shift lengths may vary between volunteer positions, but the basic principles are as follows:
- On festival days: 16 hours in total.
- Activities that also include activities before and after the festival: 18–24 hours.
Volunteers who carry out their tasks before or after the festival will naturally have more free time on festival days. If you are interested in longer shifts, please indicate your preference in the free word section of the application.
Applying
Please fill in the application form carefully. The more complete your application, the easier it will be for us to place you in a suitable position. We select volunteers based on their motivation and interests. We value customer service and teamwork skills, as well as flexibility with tasks and changing situations. You can read about the different task descriptions at the bottom of this page and choose ones you like. Please also fill in the free word field with consideration – this is where you can tell us about yourself and your expectations of volunteering, or for example, a wish to see your favourite artist’s gig.
Interview
Qstock has a tradition of interviewing volunteers before selecting them for assignments. There’s no need to be nervous about the interview process: During the interview we mainly aim to ensure that we find a suitable role for as many applicants as possible. The interview invitation will also tell you your initial position, your supervisor and the interview times available.
Schedule:
- First interview invitations will be sent on 30 May
- Volunteer application form closes on 23 June
- All applicants will be contacted by 30 June at the latest
Volunteering at Qstock
No specific skills or training are required, except for a driver’s licence and driving experience for drivers. All assignments will be briefed and instructed by the head of each unit. We value customer service and teamwork skills, a motivated attitude and flexibility in relation to tasks.
Photo: Mika Vallineva
Backstage catering (age limit 18)
The catering team takes care of the backstage facilities, coffee and food service, Qstock’s property and a good atmosphere where the basis for the audience’s enjoyment is created. The team’s goal is to make sure that the working environment backstage is peaceful, and the facilities are in good working order. The tasks will take place on the days of the festival, and at the end of the festival the backstage areas will be dismantled and cleaned up.
Photo: Riika Lanto
Check-ins (age limit 18)
At Qstock, both customers and employees are served at check-in desks. All persons arriving at the check-in will be issued with the correct access passes and wristbands and directed to the festival grounds.
The guest check-in desk is used by VIPs, guests on the guest list, and media and music professionals. At the check-in desk, VIP tickets are electronically scanned, and guest-listed persons are recorded in the check-in system as having arrived.
Staff check-in is exclusively for Qstock employees and operators entering the grounds. Persons arriving at the desk are recorded in the check-in system.
Check-ins are the first point of contact with the festival for many customers and staff, so good customer service skills are essential. Basic computer skills are also useful in these tasks. Shifts at both check-ins are available during the festival week and on the days of the festival.
Photo: Riika Lantto
Festival grounds decoration and venue art
The festival grounds decoration and venue art is a creative and collaborative activity. In addition to the reuse of ready-made decorations, some decorations will be built and created from scratch by the team, with the idea of recycling and reuse in mind. This is a job that requires a wealth of ideas and manual skills, but you can also come and bring your inner creativity to life! The festival grounds decoration and venue art will be created, assembled and hung in the festival grounds during the festival week.
The tasks are also suitable for 15–17-year-olds!
Photo: Riika Lantto
Staff catering
Festival construction starts well over a week before the festival, so volunteers will be needed to help keep staff catering and hydration in order. Duties include setting out food, ensuring that meals are scheduled and kept to schedule, and maintaining general cleanliness. The staff catering team will also assist with other tasks during the festival week as needed.
The tasks are also suitable for 15–17-year-olds!
Photo: Silja Aalto
Information desk (age limit 18)
The information desk will provide advice and guidance to festival visitors on any queries they may have. Questions can include timetables for the festival, trains and buses, and the location of sales outlets, toilets and stalls. Maybe someone will ask for life advice, too! You’ll also be handing out leaflets and taking in lost and found items. Naturally, the info desk shifts are scheduled for the festival weekend.
Photo: Riika Lantto
Transport (age limit 18)
As a rule, drivers will be responsible for local transport of artists between hotels, the airport and the Qstock venue, as well as transport of goods in the Oulu area. The drivers will be driving minibuses with 1+8 seats, so the driver must have at least a B-licence and be able to drive safely. Fluent communication skills also in English is a plus. The shifts are mainly on the days of the festival, but there may also be shifts the day before and after Qstock.
Photo: Iina Tauriainen
Side programme
Side programme volunteers will assist and run the activities of the side programme locations. Duties include maintaining the festival atmosphere and instructing and encouraging customers to participate in various side programme options. A brave attitude and the ability to take on the role of an introducer are an advantage in these positions.
The tasks take place mainly on festival days and are also suitable for 15–17-year-olds!
Photo: Riika Lantto
Set-up, construction and dismantling
The set-up, construction and dismantling team will do tasks under the instructions of the construction managers during the construction week and on the festival Friday. The tasks are varied and some of them even quite physical, but if you are basically fit you can manage quite well in this team. Tasks include erecting and covering fence elements, moving and setting up drinks cabinets, tables, waste containers and toilets, and building riot fences.
The tasks are also suitable for 15–17-year-olds!
Photo: Riika Lantto
Festival grounds maintenance team
The volunteers of the festival grounds maintenance team are responsible for the cleanliness and general appearance of the festival grounds. The team ensures that the area is aesthetically and functionally pleasing to all guests. You will be part of the Qstock customer service team, which requires a cheerful and upbeat customer service attitude.
The tasks are also suitable for 15–17-year-olds!
If you have any questions at this stage, please contact us by email: vapaaehtoistoiminta@qstock.fi
Welcome to join the Qstock team in2025!