5 Tips for Your First Music Festival
Music festivals are great for meeting new people and cherishing new experiences. However, they can be a challenging experience for someone who has never attended. The long queues, the heat, and the ticket prices are enough to scare away any introvert.
It will be all worth it if it means seeing your top independent artists live before they finally make it to the mainstream. If you’re given the opportunity to attend a major music festival in your hometown, don’t let it slip. Take the chance, but do so while applying these essential tips to enjoying a music festival as a newcomer:
- Come up with a budget
Festivals like Coachella and Tomorrowland are costly. Tickets will cost you thousands of dollars if the events feature big names. If you’re located miles away from the venue, you will need to factor in transportation and accommodation costs. Get around the hassle by coming up with a budget at least two months before the first day of the festival. This should give you ample time to save and come up with ways to bring down the total costs.
- Pack light with only the essentials
If the festival is held near your hometown, you don’t have to bring too much with you, especially if you don’t plan on an overnight stay. You only need to bring a smartphone, sun protection, a wallet, and a small water container. Bringing fewer items would mean lesser exposure to pickpockets who often infiltrate these events.
- Check out other activities
The best part about music festivals is that they’re filled with different happenings across multiple venues. From games and mini-concerts to seminars and trade shows, you will have so much to do throughout your entire stay. Check out the schedule of each event and pick one you might be interested in. Despite its notoriety, the Gathering of the Juggalos is famous for its diverse range of activities that include professional wrestling matches, contests, and comedic acts. The music is the highlight, but you should also experience other impressive attractions the festivals might offer.
- Flaunt your fashion statement
Music festivals offer you an opportunity to showcase your style. In Australia, Lost Paradise Festival and Splendour in the Grass are known not just for their stellar line-ups, but they also serve as giant catwalks for festival goers wearing their most unique threads. Before attending, ensure you have the outfit to match the festivities. Wear a body piercing and be bold enough to show some skin and don a unique hair colour.
- Stay safe wherever you go
With the number of people attending major music festivals, it’s easy to become a victim to shady people who are not there to enjoy. A good rule is to never go alone, especially if you’re in another city with no one there to back you up if you’re in danger. You should also watch out for potential scams. Just because someone offers to buy you a drink doesn’t mean they’re trying to be friendly. They could end up conning you or do something much worse, so never let your guard down.
Endnote
Your first music festival should be an experience you would want to savour. Make the most of it by keeping these tips in mind.