Music festivals are unlike any other experience you will have. There is something in the atmosphere that takes you to another world — an escape from reality for a few days. In order to make the best of your experience, there are some do’s and don’ts you should take into consideration while preparing for your next festival.
Be outgoing and keep an open mind.
The great thing about music festivals is that everyone is extremely friendly. We all have something in common, or have some sort of connection with each other one way or another. Festivals are about positive vibes, coming together as a family and no judgment. It’s easy to be introverted and stick to the group you came with, but branch out! You never know who you could meet. Some people leave festivals with lifelong friends and a more open view about the culture as a whole.
Pack lightly but efficiently.
It takes a few festivals to learn what you do and don’t need. A lot of the walks from the parking lot to the camping grounds are pretty long, so you don’t want to make multiple trips back and forth. Pack the essentials you really need, and a few extra things just in case. There are a multitude of packing lists online that will help you organize your baggage as well. The key is to think about different situations you may be in. For example, if it looks like it’s supposed to rain during the festival, pack ziplock bags, a tarp and trash bags to keep your things dry.
Get off your phone.
While taking pictures and videos is an important part of documenting your experience, put them down when you aren’t. Festivals are about escaping reality for a little while, and being on your phone constantly isn’t going to help with this. Often times people spend too much time taking pictures and videos of performances that they forget to actually enjoy the music and be in the moment. Spend more time making interaction with the people around you and you are guaranteed to have a much better experience.
Research the festival before you go.
When arriving at a festival, there is a lot more that goes into it than you think. There are a lot of rules and regulations about what you can and can’t take in. It’s important to research parking and transportation, how to go about paying for your ticket, and what the layout of the festival looks like. The more you look into before hand, the better prepared you’ll be, and the less stress you’ll have once you arrive.
Stay hydrated.
This is probably the most important of them all. With all the dancing and, often times, hot weather, we forget we need to keep water and food in our systems. While beer is great for keeping the good vibes going, water is the only thing that will keep you hydrated. Make sure to carry a plastic water bottle or camelbak with a built-in water pack. Drinking lots of water will keep you more awake and less prone to heat exhaustion or dehydration.
