Music is a wonderful gift that we sometimes don’t deserve. It can bring people together and create incredible experiences shared with family and friends. If you’ve experienced a music festival before, you know how incredibly surreal the entire event can be. You also know there’s a lot that goes into making that weekend a success. So whether you’re about to party it up at Coachella or ACL grab a pen and write these helpful survival tips down. You’ll thank us later.
1. Plan your stops.
Music festivals are an absolute gift from the music Gods because you have the chance to see multiple amazing acts within one weekend! With that being said, it’s important to map out what performances you’ll be seeing throughout your festival experience. Most music festivals have several stages spread apart. You’ll need to know who you’re seeing in order to figure out where you’re going. By planning out the performances you want to catch, you can also plan on when to get some food, when to purchase another drink and when to take a bathroom break! Most music festivals have apps now that make it incredibly easy to map out the performances you want to see.
2. Read festival rules & guidelines.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at a themed party and not being dressed appropriately. To think, you could have avoided the embarrassment if you’d just read the actual invite. The same idea applies to music festivals. Each festival has its own set of rules and regulations. Some festivals have restrictions on the kind of food or beverages you can bring in. Others might limit the size of your bag. Regardless, it’s important to be aware of what is and isn’t allowed at the festival you are attending.
3. Wear comfortable shoes.
Think practical, not cute. This might seem like common sense, but if you aren’t prepared to stand, walk, run and jump in the shoes you’re wearing then they probably shouldn’t be worn in the first place. A LOT of walking, running, standing, jumping and more walking will be done when you’re at a music festival. There’s a really great chance that your shoes will be covered in dirt, scuff marks, scratches and spilt drinks. Ultimately, don’t wear shoes you’re too attached to.
4. Dress code is key.
We know you want to look cute and possibly catch Anthony Kiedis or Brandon Flowers eye, but don’t subject yourself to uncomfortable clothing all for the sake of looking cute for a couple of hours. Remember, it can get hot and you will get sweaty! If you are opting for a cute festival look, at least try to wear breathable fabrics. Remember you’ll be in a sea of crowds under the beaming sun. Maybe you should reconsider that full sequin outfit?
5. Stay hydrated.
Music festival season is typically during the warmer months of the year, so with that being said you definitely want to plan on staying hydrated with something other than overpriced beer and wine! Most venues will let you bring in recyclable water bottles or factor sealed water bottles. You can also always purchase water inside the venue, but it can be much cheaper to just bring your own water bottles and refill at the provided hydration stations and water fountains at the festival.