So you’ve been hearing for years about music festivals and after a good amount of cajoling and a healthy bit of goading, you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and attend one yourself. Congratulations, you are in for one of the most transformative live music experiences of your entire life. It’s something so exhilarating and memorable that many people find themselves attending multiple festivals annually.
From Coachella to Lollapalooza these festivals are a summer staple that is beginning to feel as fundamental to the season as pool parties or the Fourth of July. But now we come to a new conundrum. You’re all gassed up and ready to go, but the only problem is you haven’t packed yet! What does someone bring to a festival experience? Well, fret not dear reader because we’ve created this incredible guide on everything you need for your festival experience!
Dress for Success
One of the first things that any first-time festival attendee needs to think about is their looks for the weekend. A festival is an opportunity to serve, and we’re going to make the most of it! First things first it’s important to figure out what your style will be. Maybe it’s the sizzling summer of 69’ hippie chic, or maybe it’s some hot new rave outfits.
Whatever look you’re going for, just make sure it can breathe. You’re going to be outside in usually sweltering weather, so keeping yourself cool while you look cool is a must! Before we move on however it’s important to note that at any festival, you’re going to be on your feet a lot. Make sure you have a pair of comfortable tennis shoes that will protect your feet. Never wear open-toed shoes at a festival. In a large crowd, it is a recipe for disaster.
Backpack Essentials
So now that you’ve gotten your outfits all planned out, let’s go over another essential item. That is the humble backpack! Having a small backpack, or fanny pack can make all the difference in your festival experience. This is because they allow you to hold some of the other festival essentials in a neat and organized fashion. But what are some of these other essentials you ask? Well, let’s go over them! The first thing you should have in your bag is a reusable water bottle. Most of one’s festival supplies are about beating the heat, and staying hydrated is your first line of defense for keeping cool on a hot summer day.
Next, you may want to consider bringing a fairly strong sunscreen. Getting a sunburn is no fun, and if you’re spending hours outside underneath the hot sun the chances of getting extra crispy are very high. Do yourself a favor and nip this problem in the bud with a strong SPF!
After you’ve got those two crucial items taken care of, your next necessity should be a portable phone charger. Chances are you’ll be taking a lot of pictures and videos of yourself, your friends, and your favorite artists. This will eat up battery life fairly quickly. To combat this bringing a power bank and a charger is a great way to make sure your phone can stay on, all through the weekend!
Lastly, depending on the size of your bag, you may want to consider bringing a blanket or towel to sit on. There’s gonna be a lot of unfamiliar surfaces at these places, having something comfortable you can sit on during a slow song is amazingly helpful when you’re out on the field.
Don’t Forget Your Friends
Lastly, one of the most important and often underlooked parts of any travel experience is to focus on the company you keep. Having the right people in your friend group can make or break a festival experience. For instance say there are two conflicting acts and one person wants to see artist A, while you want to see artist B. This can be a tough compromise, especially if artist A is someone you’ve been dying to see. That’s why it’s always a good idea to make sure your music taste aligns with the people you’re going with. No one wants to separate themselves from the group to see an artist alone. That’s why a simple check to see if the person you’re thinking of inviting is so crucial!
Conclusion
If you’re looking to go to a festival for the first time. It’s a great idea to prepare. But more than preparing your clothes or your camping equipment, it’s important to prepare yourself. When you go to a music festival, a lot of people say it’s like going to another dimension. Keeping an open mind to the possibilities of what’s going on around you is tantamount to one’s enjoyment of the festival experience. And if you have any more trouble deciding what to bring. Just take another look back at this guide, on everything you need for your first festival!