15 Rules for Surviving a Music Festival
The crowd at most concerts has a basic rule for self-preservation: don’t climb on the stage and complain about getting pushed. It’s a basic human principle that doesn’t require thought (which is why it’s called ‘simple’). You don’t have to stand around your friend’s shoulders all day, and people who happen to walk by you will end up getting in the way. Not only will this frustrate you, but it could also put some of your belongings at risk. For the time being, keep your hair away from other people’s food. This way, you’ll avoid getting into a fight with others when their hairs touch. It’s important to sugar coat these rules a little more. Overall though, it’s just good manners to keep your hair out of the way while you eat. Keep an eye on your personal belongings. They should not tempt thieves with an open backpack, because bad stories happen and you will be around a lot of different types of people.
Be prepared for whatever weather comes your way by dressing in layers, not just one outfit. Black baseball caps are no good because they don’t fully protect your head from the sun’s rays. In the evening it will certainly become much cooler – keep this in mind when packing your backpack. If there’s even the slightest chance of rain, bring a raincoat, and if you may be doing some walking or going to a park consider opting for rubber boots. This might be hard for you to hear. But the majority of festivals in the UK ask people to leave their umbrellas at home for two reasons. They can interfere with other visitors and cause discomfort to their guests, as would happen with you if he was close by. In addition, a raincoat is going to be much cooler than a small umbrella that doesn’t keep.
Collect a mini first aid kit, pack it in a separate cosmetic bag and place it in your airport carryon. Sure, it may seem like a pain to lug around a bunch of different things on long trips but these 12 items will help you feel more refreshed and comfortable throughout your day. The gel may not be enough to cover you. If this is a factor, try preparing yourself a set of mini-soap and a bottle of water: nothing cleans like washing your hands.
The point about wearing shoes according to the weather is a good one. Try not to wear brand new sneakers & don’t deprive yourself of the chance to jump onstage after an hour of walking around in them shamelessly with no socks on. Opt for old comfortable sneakers or sneakers – these are the perfect shoes for a not too wet festival, which will protect your feet from mud, insects, cold, but most importantly – from other feet. True do not be surprised if this will be the last apparel item you ever purchase.
Follow the festival on Instagram, Facebook and download their official app to get information about where the events take place and who will be performing. Stay tuned for updates and cancellations, for sure one of the artists will miss the plane. If you’re on a low-tech/no-3G airplane, making sure you have an extra battery can be very helpful!
Remember that even if the weather is bad outside, you still need to protect yourself. It’s easy to forget this at events, with all the outdoor activities you’ll be doing. Use a sunscreen and some mosquito spray to stay safe and healthy! Makeup is always a good idea for any festival, especially those that are on a long stretch. But the best type of makeup to have at a festival is the non-flaking, waterproof types. If you want to demonstrate that you were impressed by your favorite group and had your heart broken, be my guest. Everyone else benefits from mineral mats (or sweat-resistant sheets) that can remove excess shininess during the day. They’re made to help with shine without taking off too much product.
We all want to take care of the earth, we really truly do. We buy only organic products and try to recycle as much as possible. However, after a festival tens of tons of garbage is still left in our parks over the weekends. It’s important that you keep your waste in check and not to just throw it away. If you are in a country that recycles, pay attention to where waste is sorted and follow their insertions. This can ensure your waste will be recycled properly when it goes down the drain.
Following a healthy diet and getting enough exercise is important for your well-being. Find the right restaurant for delicious vegan meals or fresh healthy sandwiches near you. If you can bring water to the festival, then be sure to take a large bottle with you, and if you can’t, it’s alright. Otherwise there are ways to do this without spending a penny! Not only will this activity be in a warm and humid environment, but people tend to sweat a lot during performances. Dehydration is more likely as well due to the work being done in an enclosed space. To combat the effects of dehydration, you should drink more water throughout the performance, while working out hydration strategies with your costume coordinator ahead of time.
In the previous point, do not get drunk until you lose your pulse. Of course alcohol is available and fun can be had at concerts – and if you’re lucky, you might even remember it.
Don’t forget to give proper service and attention to the booth in order to get well-deserved bounty. Provide goods that are priced reasonably by placing in opportunities with live bands and local markets. But remember that most festival T-shirts are expensive. So be smart when shopping, and choose a shirt that is cheap but very trendy. In addition to festival supplies, a water bottle may be given out. Many people listen to music while they go to concerts or festivals and so earplugs can be very useful in cutting off the noise and raincoats (you may have been waiting for the perfect time and haven’t found it yet; have you seen this amazing sales on Amazon that is going on?).
Avoid trying to do too much at one time. Know your personal limits and break your list down into manageable chunks that even you can handle. As long as you take a break occasionally, it shouldn’t be scary at all; there’s plenty of stuff to enjoy. Focus on the performers and decide which one you prefer. Festivals like Coachella or Bonnaroo allow you to see your favorite performers at once. But with that said it’s important to show up with the right mindset, otherwise you might end up feeling disappointed. It happens – you might suddenly realize that you messed up your choice and end up switching your stage. If you do, don’t be discouraged – this is completely normal and not a problem at all.