These days, most are 'intertribals,' where members of all tribes are welcome, and Tooele's festival had both local tribes and those from around the West and even the Midwest. Though to the casual observer each song, dance and costume seem basically the same they are in fact separate, distinct and laden with symbolism and symbolic imagery. Some songs test a dancer's skill by speeding up or taking unexpected breaks or stops. Others are written to complement a particular dance style, such as the grass or jingle dress. The contesting is regularly broken with intertribal dances to get everyone back on their feet.
Most songs follow the same format, sort of like a church hymn.
There is a lead, chorus, honor beats, more chorus, and an ending. They are all seated around a single drum that is several feet across. They each use just one drum stick. The chorus is the part of the song that carries the theme, and is sung by all members of the drum circle. The honor beats are three accented beats occurring between the choruses, and some have said they are meant to represent gunshots.