For us who live for the music, summer is merrier than Christmas. Yeah, sure, when it is Christmas time you get to see your family, eat amazing food and hopefully you will get some presents (American socks, maybe?) but when summer lands, music festivals arrive with it.
We did a tough research and talked to the most prestigious universities to create this SURVIVAL GUIDE for MUSIC FESTIVALS. Well, we didn't talk to no university, but we are all survivors and we all know a trick or two, so get ready because here we go!
1. Planning it
It should be a no-brainer. Find the one that makes you say "Oh, man..." every time you read the lineup. Get the money for it (no questions asked, we are not cops) and get ready.
Book the flights if you have too, convince a few friends (use puppy eyes if necessary) and tell your boss your aunt is having a surgery and those days you need to take care of her. Note: Please, make sure your boss and your aunt don't know each other.
2. Packing for it
Every music fest is different. Is it gonna be indoors? Will you be out in the sun all day? Is it a rainy place? Make sure you check the weather before you pack. If you go to cold places remember to bring a warm beanie and extra socks (we are not just saying it because we want to sell them, your feet will get cold as f*ck at night). If you go to a sunny place bring sunglasses and some kind of hat (people with ridiculous hats are always nice to meet and have cool stories).
Just in case, always bring:
- A rain poncho
- A flashlight. Yes, we know your phone has a flashlight but, trust us, the batteries are always dead when you need them the most.
3. Locating yourself in it
Okay, you get to the venue/camping zone. Wait patiently because it will take a while. In fact you will have to wait patiently for almost everything, so relax. If you go to a hotel, find it and leave all the heavy stuff there. If you stay in a RV, find a nice place for it. If you camp with the rest of the warriors... Try to find a place NOT TOO CLOSE TO THE RESTROOMS. We know that having the Peeing Palace close seems like a nice idea now, but in 20 hours that zone will have a BIOHAZARD alert. You will need to walk for a midnight pee, but the other option is way worse.
The ugly truth they dont tell you: most zombie outbreaks start at a festival's bathroom.
4. Living it
- Get a program and find your favorite bands. See that they don't overlap (if they do, we are really sorry, we know the pain) and create a schedule. Hold that paper like it is your life.
- Remember that COMFORTABLE >>>>>> STYLISH. Wear comfy clothes and SHOES. We all have seen that girl (or boy, we don't judge) wearing high heels and we all wondered WHY. We are sure you can find the perfect balance. Rock it, but take it easy.
- WEAR SUNSCREEN. Capital letters, yes. We don't care if you come from a sunny country, we don't care if you are addicted to self-tanning. WEAR SUNSCREEN. Being all red and in pain can destroy the whole experience and can cause future health problems. We love you, guys, we just want you to be safe.
- Wear earplugs if possible. During the festival they will protect your ears from loud music. During the night they will help you ignore the couple trying to conceive a baby two tents away.
- Protect your head with a hat and your eyes with sunglasses. It adds +500 COOLNESS to the pictures and you can be hangover, no one will tell (hopefully).
- (Also) Drink water. We know beer is awesome and the other spirits can be amazing too, but remember that water is your best friend. A glass of water for every glass of alcohol will save you tomorrow.
- Eat your carbs. You may be on a diet but the amount of energy you are going to use today will be outstanding. Bread, pasta, rice... They taste amazing and will keep you on track. Keep yourself fed or this will be you by the time your favorite band plays:
- Don't kill your friends. I mean, first of all, it is illegal. Second of all, they are your friends. Maybe you want to go to different shows, but it is okay, you can make groups or you can go by yourself. Set a meeting point for every time someone gets lost and be patient. IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't kill the driver or the one with the keys of the room. Blood can be messy.
- Forget the electronics. Don't tweet, don't take a lot of pictures, don't call your mom in the middle of a show. Phones get broken, ex-girlfriends/boyfriends get texted when drunk and cameras get lost. Just ENJOY THE GODDAMN SHOW.
But the most important part is : Have the time of your life, have fun and meet new people, That is what music festivals are about. See you in the mosh pit!
