Exposure to new acts, artists, styles, interpretations.

Exposure to familiar acts, old friends.

Volunteerism.

It's cool and it makes me feel good.

If you're seeing the same old acts, take in other festivals. One doesn't have to go far afield in southern Ontario to see a celtic, world, folk, bluegrass, fiddle, blues, guitar, and rock festival at least once a year. Won't be much different in many other places, though the travel might be longer.

To answer the question, I go to see performers first, mates are a secondary reason.

Peace, Mooh.