10 Tips to Survive Your First Festival

By: Jade Jones May 23rd, 2022 If there's one thing everyone should do, it's go to a music festival. Whether you're into country, rock, folk, reggae, etc., going to a festival is a great way to get acquainted with the scene. You get to meet new people, see new artists or even some familiar ones, and be in the moment. That being said, music festivals can be overwhelming at first. 1000s of people, weather changes, delays in sets, hold ups and hangups of all kinds. Luckily, there's some things you can do make sure you have a great time. 1. Bring only essentials Trust me, I have a tendency to overpack for every occasion. But music festivals are the exception. Bringing too much stuff with you will create issues. Having alot of belongings on you will weigh you down in the pit, increase the likelihood of injury, and you're more likely to lose something important. Only bring exactly what you need: tickets, driver's license, money or debit card, phone, sunglasses, sunscreen, and perhaps a jacket. 2. Wear comfy shoes Maybe MGK was onto something. Wearing your favorite heels may not be a good idea. Be prepared by wearing comfortable sneakers or shoes you've previously broken in. 3. Drink Water The horror stories are true folks; you can get severely dehydrated from not drinking enough water. Oddly enough, professionals suggest drinking more water the day before an event to help your body establish a reserve. Most festivals do have a source for water and if it's the only option you have, use it. 4. Don't Forget the Tickets How sad would it be to drive all the way to a concert 3+ hours away and forget your tickets? Pretty sad. Always double check for your tickets, wristbands or any materials required to get into the fest, and be sure to download any applications to your phone prior to the event. 5. Go With a Reasonably Sized Group Everyone wants to bring all their friends to a concert or festival, but having 10+ people to travel with, schedule around, and locate is stressful. Go with about 4 people if you plan on going with a group. Nothing wrong with hanging out at a festival with your buddies, but traveling with a boat load of people isn't the best plan. 6. Pack Snacks If the venue is far away, you and your friends will likely get hungry along the way. To stay on time, pack snacks. Plus, unless you're prepared to spend tons of money at the fest, bringing a few snacks to eat before the event isn't a bad idea (pro tip: these might also come in handy for someone with a health condition like low blood sugar, or for someone who's had a little to much to drink). 7. Stay Informed, Do Research Before the event, check out the website or social media associated with the fest. Chances are, there's some good info on what to bring, parking, vendors, and more. And be on the lookout for cancelations and rearranged sets. Check the map of the grounds to get familiar with the space 8. Be Understanding This goes without saying but, things happen. Weather, illness, changes on the schedule and parking confusion are things that happen at large festivals. Try to be a good sport and enjoy the moment as much as you can. 9. Drink Responsibly Don't be the guy in the crowd who had a few too many beers and starts acting belligerent. If you're lucky, only security will see you and ask you to leave. Worst case scenario, an artist calls you out and everyone gets mad at you for stopping the show because of your behavior. Be responsible, and make good choices. 10. If Someone Falls, Pick Them Up! At festivals, and concerts in general, crowd surfing, moshing, circle pits and slamdancing can occur. If you see someone down, and it is safe to do so, help pick them up. We're all here to look out for each other, have a good time, and keep the scene a fun, safe place for everyone. My hopes are that these tips help you have the time of your life at your first festival.