CATEGORIES
CATEGORIESColorful crowds, non-stop parties and incredible live shows make music festivals a beguiling escape from everyday life. Multi-day festivals leave you with exhilarating memories and a thirst for more —if you do them right. Here are seven Active Junky-approved hacks to elevate your next experience.
Look at the lineup for ALL the artists beforehand. Knowing the music ahead of time guarantees you’ll be able to sing along (or at least make sure you’re seeing the right artist). This is also a great way to expand your repertoire of music, as lesser-known acts often deliver the best shows.
As any festival-veteran knows, being two great places at once won’t work. Create a schedule before the show to land a place in front of your favorites. Many festivals have apps and online features to create custom schedules for the entire weekend.
Summer festivals attract heat waves, sweaty bodies and thick clouds of dust. Sip H2O constantly to stay energized and fresh for the late-night scene. Bring a pair of trusty Nalgenes to fill as soon as you enter the venue. Pro Tip: some festivals allow you to carry in factory-sealed bottled waters.
Neighbors are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get! From espresso-filled extroverts who relish late night jam sessions to classic-friendly old-timers amped for retro bands, the range is always intriguing.
Festivals offer spotty cell coverage and few recharging options. Murphy’s Law dictates that your smartphone will fail – right as you frame the perfect shot of the lead singer. Some festivals have rental lockers with chargers or offer pay-per-charge stations in the campground. Carry a portable battery in any case.
Joining the spectacle is just as important as watching it. At a country jam? Wear spurs and your snappiest 10-gallon hat. EDM fest? Whip out glowing bracelets and purple eyeliner. Having signature flair, like a yellow poncho or a flag, helps friends find you in the crowd.
While counter-intuitive to the upbeat festival vibe, downtime is imperative to sustaining energy. Wear an eye mask to sleep longer or sneak back to the campsite for a quick afternoon nap. Caring for your body helps keep the festival flu at bay.
Enjoy the festival grime, smeared flash tattoos and blob of mustard on your overalls. Dance like no one is watching (but you want them to). Get on stage if you have the chance. Festivals are many things, but their very essence is the freedom to let go. Or, as the wise poet Eminem once said, to lose yourself
