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The Up & Up Festival, owned by Monster Energy, is the biggest college festival tour in the country, competing with over 50 universities to bring a famous DJ/headliner to their college town during a 48-hour pre-sale competition.
If you’ve seen the @upandupslo Instagram, heard through word of mouth, or been to one of the pop-ups, then you know SIDEPIECE is officially making their way to San Luis Obispo thanks to the latest Up & Up Festival. If you need translation, one of the most hype EDM experiences is about to hit our little college town for the third time. Read more about the Up & Up Festival here.
Not sure what to wear? Don’t stress. Whether you go to raves regularly or you’re just in it for the vibes, here are some tips to serve some looks and stay comfy at your next Up & Up Festival.
Function Meets Festival
Dancing for hours in the heat of an EDM crowd at Madonna Expo calls for clothes that can breathe. You’ll want to be in lightweight materials that keep you comfortable, like mesh or cotton. Think crop tops, flowy tanks, mini skirts, or parachute pants. You’ll want to be in short sleeves, and you’ll want to have pockets for hands-free convenience. You don’t want to be the one overheating mid-set and having to leave.
Color Is Key
The SIDEPIECE members are the kings of house music. The crowd always shows up in colorful, eye-catching outfits. Don’t be afraid to add some red to match their signature kiss mark. With hits like “Together” and “Wanna See You,” they bring that groovy, feel-good energy that keeps people dancing all night. Their shows aren’t just about the music, they’re a full experience that you will remember forever.
You can’t go wrong with:
- Neon accents
- Metallics
- Black with pops of color
Pro tip: Wear something that will pop under LED lights or camera flashes. Up & Up Festival shows = peak Instagram moments.
3. Statement Accessories Only
Go all out on the accessories. When you’re going to a festival, there is no such thing as “too much.” No festival fit is complete without the extras:
- Chunky rings
- Beaded or reflective sunglasses
- Layered body chains
- A mini purse or fanny pack
This is your chance to get creative and show off your personality, meaning more sparkle, more color, more fun. If it makes you feel confident and adds to the vibe, just wear it. Remember, no one is judging, so the bolder, the better.
4. Shoes You Can Walk In
Platform boots might look cute, but after two hours, you’ll wish you went for the Air Forces. Comfort is key when you’re on your feet all night, dancing, jumping to SIDEPIECE songs, and running into friends for photos. Blisters are not the memories you want to take home, so pick shoes you can move freely in and save the fashion statement for your other clothing items.
- Comfortable sneakers
- Adidas Campus shoes (cute and comfy)
- Doc Martens (makes you taller so you can see the DJ better)
- Platform Converse
If you wear boots, you’ll want to break them in before you go — again, blisters are not the move.
5. Hair & Makeup Goes The Distance
You only have one night of the semester when you get to dance your heart out at the Madonna Expo. Let your full confidence shine and go all out on your hair and makeup. Whether it’s a dramatic eyeliner, a bold lip, slicked back braids, or even a fun pop of color, this is your time to get creative. Your makeup and hair should match your energy, so think:
- Glitter highlight
- Colorful eyeliner (only one way to make your eyes pop)
- Longwear foundation (long night of dancing)
- Primer & setting spray (you’ll be sweating the foundation off)
- Fun clips (stars, colorful clips, silver clips)
For hair, try space buns, braids, or a ponytail — something you don’t have to fix every five seconds while dancing to “On My Mind.”
Get Ready to be Hyped
Get ready to dance with your friends to top hit songs, only ten minutes from your campus. Your Up & Up (SIDEPIECE) fit should scream major party energy. Think rave-core with a Cal Poly twist. Find tickets for SIDEPIECE in @upandupslo bio.