Music festivals’ popularity has grown exponentially in the past 10 or so years – leading some people to have an incomplete summer without going to at least one fest. Nowadays, it seems like almost every state has its own variation of a festival. Some are tiny, some are Coachella. Festivals look like all fun and games but sometimes they can be anything but. They’re usually obscenely hot, filled with too many people and littered with trash. Here are some tips to make sure your future festival experience is ideal.
1. DO bring some water bottles.
For the love of God… bring some cold water bottles. It is wayyyyyyyy too hot at summer festivals and you have no shade or shelter usually.
2. DON’T bring your grandma.
I have made this mistake. It was honestly just sad. There is so much walking, even if it’s just to the gate to get into the festival. Leave your poor grandmother to her knitting at home.
3. DO cover yourself in glitter.
It will detract from anything that’s sh*tty at the festival. Trust me.
4. DON’T camp.
This seems like a good idea. It is not a good idea unless you are exceptionally high and don’t care if someone potentially breaks into your tent. Get a hotel room.
5. DO eat before you go in.
Eat a lot. Most festivals don’t let you bring in snacks, so go ahead and go to your local buffet and pack it in.
6. DON’T wear cute shoes just because they’re cute.
They must be comfortable. Must. Don’t listen to the fashionista in the back of your brain yelling at you to change them. Wear the comfortable shoes.
7. DO bring a little backpack.
Or even better, one of those backpacks that’s also a water bottle that loops a straw to your mouth.
8. DON’T meet any boys.
He will dump you over text. Trust me.
9. DO sit with people you don’t know and make friends.
Expand your horizons and make a new festival group! Who knows, these people may just have backstage passes.
10. DON’T miss other bands you want to see in order to have a great spot for a bigger band.
I still have nightmares about missing Tame Impala while waiting for Kings of Leon.
11. DO explore the area while you’re in town.
Take a break from having to be at the festival all day long and see what the city has to offer.
12. DON’T forget your sunscreen.
You will get burnt. To a crisp. Within about an hour.
13. DO bring bubbles and temporary tattoos.
Were you thinking about not?!
14. DON’T go with people you don’t really like who aren’t chill.
Everyone will be arguing and complaining and you will run off into the woods.
15. DO bring a hammock.
The only rest you’ll get probably. Unless you decide to lay down and bake in the sun.
Try out smaller festivals before you try to tackle the big guys like Firefly and Coachella. They almost require physical and mental training. Good luck at your summer festivals!