Your How To Guide To Surviving All Music Festival’s This Summer
With Bal en Blanc, Osheaga, Piknic Electronik, Escapade, Veld, Digital Dream and many more festivals in the not-so-distant future, we’re gearing up for an epic festival season in 2014. But even experienced festival-goers know that in order to maximize your experience, you’ve got to come prepared. We’ve been there before and made all the rookie mistakes there are to make, so learn from our errors: arm yourself with Electrostub’s Top 10 Tips & Tricks and you’ll be prepared to have the time of your life!
(find the original article on electrostub tumblr page)
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BUY/BRING A PORTABLE MOBILE PHONE CHARGER
It should come as no surprise that the “OMG I’M AT A FESTIVAL WITH MY BESTIEZ” selfies everyone is uploading to Instagram causes spotty mobile service and delayed text messages. Instead of wandering aimlessly through the crowd searching for your friends, do yourself a favor and make sure your phone is fully charged before you leave the house and bring a mobile charger to charge on the spot. Pro-tip: Don’t have a charger or your charger doesn’t work? Write down the phone numbers of everyone in your group of friends and tuck it in your pocket just in case. (Trust us, you’ll be thankful you did.)
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DRINK YOUR H20 + TAKE IMMUNE BOOSTERS
While most people remember to drink during the festival, don’t forget about drinking before and after, too. You’re going to be moving around and sweating like crazy, so you will likely need to drink more than you think to stay hydrated. If festival rules dictate that no outside bottles can be brought on the premises, make a bee-line for the water station and get a few bottles to split with your friends. You’re going to be around thousands of people and whatever germs they brought with them, so give your immune system a boost the week prior by remembering to take your vitamins and getting a flu-shot at your doctor’s office or your local pharmacy. Pro-tip: When you’ve finished a bottle, don’t throw it away! Many venues have free refills so ask before you trash.
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LEAVE THE COSTUMES AT HOME
You’re going to be on your feet for hours on end, battling the elements, with people packed in on all sides. Why make yourself miserable by showing up in clothing that weighs you down? Sure, furry boots and fairy wings look great (at least for the first few hours), but by the time the sun sets, your aches and pains will interfere with your enjoyment. Wear comfortable, loose clothing that you can easily layer and shoes that offer some support. Plus, throw a sweater around your waist or cram one into a small backpack to ward off the evening chill. Pro-tip: Wear a watch so you’ll still know what time it is if your phone dies.
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REMEMBER YOUR SPF
This one is simple: sunblock is a must if you want to avoid getting a sunburn. You’ll be outside all day with little to no protection from the elements, so if you want to avoid feeling uncomfortable all day, be proactive about applying SPF. Pro-tip: Sunglasses are also a must, as the glare from the sun (and the occasional laser beam) can obstruct your vision and damage your eyes.
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CARRY EXTRA CASH
Set your cash out the night before the festival and don’t use more than what you plan to on merchandise, snacks, etc. While the festival may have ATMs on-site, there is usually a charge for use as well as a mile-long line. Stick to your budget and carry extra cash in case of emergencies. Pro-tip: If you find you didn’t spend your emergency cash, use it to buy discounted merchandise vendors are trying to get rid of at the end of the night.
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PACK CAREFULLY (AND LIGHTLY)
In addition to the basic items like your tickets, your cell phone and your keys, we recommend carrying these essentials with you in a light backpack, cross-body purse, or (dare we say it) a fanny pack:
– Hand sanitizer and/or baby wipes
– Band-Aids
– Earplugs
– A credit card and photo ID
– Over-the-counter pain medication (Advil, Tylenol, etc.)
– A portable phone charger
– Festival maps
– Gum/breath mints
– Extra cash
If you’re going to be there for more than one day, click here for a complete festival checklist, then work with your friends to pack an overnight bag you can share.
Pro-tip: Be sure to peruse the list of items considered contraband prior to leaving for the festival so you don’t end up wasting money by throwing items in the trash. (Chances are, if you think an item is going to be prohibited, it probably is.)
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DOWNLOAD THE FESTIVAL APP + GET THERE EARLY
Want to guarantee you won’t miss you favorite DJ because you’re sitting in a traffic jam? Get there early. And yes, we mean early, not “on time.” Sure, most festivals don’t start at the exact time written on your ticket, but you’ll have more fun choosing a spot inside with your friends than you will sitting in a traffic jam kicking yourself while you stand in line waiting to get the fun “pat-down” by security. Pro-tip: Download the official festival mobile app the night before the festival and familiarize yourself with the layout of the grounds. That way, you can spend your time inside getting to know any acts you may not have heard of instead of locating the nearest bathroom.
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PICK A MEETING POINT
While you should never intentionally go get food, make a bathroom run, etc. by yourself, given the sheer number of people swarming around you, it’s entirely possible you’ll get separated from your friends. Even if your phone is charged, if you don’t have an easily-identifiable meeting point, you’ll waste valuable time tracking down your party. Pro-tip: Take a picture of your meeting point with your phone once you’re inside festival grounds so you know exactly what your rally spot looks like before hoards of people take over.
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ARRANGE YOUR TRANSPORTATION
Whether you’re planning on driving to/parking at a festival site or relying on public transportation to get you there, make sure you have a transportation plan. Some festivals offer shuttles to and from certain checkpoints, while others recommend trains and buses that go directly to the venue. Parking passes can usually be purchased when you buy your tickets, but they go fast, so make sure you decide before tickets go on sale if you’re planning on getting one. Pro-tip: Arranging for a car service to and from the festival can be a cost-effective (and time-saving) solution when you split the total with friends. If you’re in a major city, you can also make use of on-demand ridesharing services like Lyft, Uber, and Sidecar to get you to and from the festival.
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REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE
You had to memorize it in kindergarten, but sometimes it’s useful to remember to be considerate of those around you. You’ll likely be packed in like sardines, so use your manners and be respectful. Someone gets pushed and falls down? Offer them a hand and take them to on-site medics. Someone looks dehydrated but has no water left? Offer to take them to a water station. You’re all there to enjoy the music and have a good time, so why not look out for one another while you’re at it?
Did we forget any Tip or Tricks? Let us know in the comment section! Have a safe festival season.
photo credit: cover photo
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