Summer is coming, and with it comes music festival season.
The high-intensity combination of days-long party, travel, camp-out, and concert can be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences for the music fan, traveler, or outdoor enthusiast. In can also be a daunting, frustrating, sunburned experience for those who attend unprepared. What follows are some general tips on how to approach your summer music festival trip, so as to ensure success and enjoyment.
When attending a music festival, the first decision to make is what to pack, and what to leave behind. Music festivals vary widely in terms of size, attendance, and conditions, but the general thing to remember is that you’re most likely going to be camping, with limited access to things like “a secure area to put my belongings” and “a lot of personal space.” So traveling light is a must. You’ll want to pack things you can beat up, afford to lose, and get very dirty, leaving things like expensive camera equipment and tablets at home (make do with disposables and your smartphone), and plan on having valuables like money, ID, and your phone with you at all times.
Unless you’re one of the headliners (and possibly even then), you’ll be walking from venue to venue, so ergonomically sound walking shoes or sandals are a must. Consider hiking sandals, like those available from TheClymb.com, they’ll keep your feet cool while protecting them from staggering revelers. Definitely don’t get hung up on having the fliest kicks at the show, mud is a music festival guest that always attends.
You’re gonna be in the sun (hopefully!), so for goodness sake invest in, and use, some sunscreen. There’s nothing more miserable than an all-over burn on day one of a three-day festival. Sunglasses and a broad hat are also welcome, for general comfort. Beverages at a music festival are going to be egregiously priced, so bringing a sturdy water bottle you can quickly refill is cost-effective and environmentally conscientious. Sanitation will be a concern, too, so a small bottle of hand sanitizer will improve your chances of avoiding “festival crud.”
With a relaxed attitude, some simple preparation, and an eye toward safety, a trip to a music festival, small or large, can be a fond memory that stays with you the rest of your life.
