The Governors Ball, or as most people call it, “GovBall,” is an annual music festival held in Queens in early June. It is three days of musical performances, pop-ups from some of the most popular brands, good food, and lots of walking. In the past few years, I’ve gotten free merchandise from brands like “Dunkin’ Donuts,” “Supergoop,” and “Kiehl’s” and sung my heart out to Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, the Killers, and more. It has become a yearly tradition for me, and needless to say, it is a great time. But as a seasoned vet, there are a few things I wish I knew before my first music festival.
First, do not sacrifice your feet, trust me. Many people underestimate the amount of walking you’ll do, but you can easily rack up over 20 miles in one day. So, if you don’t feel like limping in agony on your way home, wear sneakers or other comfortable shoes. And if you’re desperate for a good outfit picture for Instagram (I get it), you can rent a locker for the day and switch shoes once you get the perfect shot.
Second, agree on a meeting spot with your friends. With thousands of people trying to use their phones at once, the service is unreliable to say the least, meaning calls and texts are unlikely to go through. Try to always stay with your friends, but if you do get separated in the sea of festival goers, having a clear, specific meeting point makes a huge difference.
You can also change your lock screen. This is helpful for many reasons. You can screenshot the festival schedule and highlight the time and stages of all the sets you want to see, so you don’t miss any of your favorite artists. You can also add a friend’s or family member’s phone number so that someone can contact them in case your phone gets lost.
Next, bring a small bag, ideally something like a belt bag that you can keep in front of you. This helps you keep track of your stuff and avoid pickpockets when you’re packed into a crowd. Also, it’s important to check festival rules ahead of time. Each one is different, but typically, you can’t bring large bags, metal belts, selfie sticks, or outside food and beverages through security. I’ve literally seen people throw out purses and parts of their outfits at the gate because they didn’t check. Just save yourself the stress and look it up beforehand.
That being said, GovBall and most other festivals do allow an empty reusable water bottle to be brought in, which you can use at their many water refill stations on the grounds. Which brings me to my last point: take care of yourself. Music festivals are a ton of fun, but they’re also hot, crowded, dusty, and tiring. So, it’s vital that you drink water, eat lots of food, and take time to sit down in the shade. Every year, there’s at least a handful of people who pass out and need to be carried out of the crowd. It’s not worth it to push yourself just to hear your favorite song, so listen to your body.
Whether you’re going to GovBall, Coachella, Bonnaroo, or any other festival this spring or summer, being prepared and taking breaks when you need them makes all the difference.