New lawsuit tests 'volunteer' status at US events

A class action lawsuit in the States has put the focus on the use of volunteer labour at music festivals, something many large scale music events depend on. According to ClassAction.org, a new lawsuit is aimed at Live Nation and its festival promotion partner Insomniac Events, and has been brought by an individual who volunteered at the Californian edition of dance music festival Nocturnal Wonderland. The plaintiff claims that the event's organisers violated America's Fair Labor Standards Act by recruiting volunteers to "carry out the work of paid employees" - here in return for a free ticket.