I broke my music festival virginity this past weekend at Wireless in London. With featured artists like Fergie and Kygo, there was no way I was passing that up. My only concert experiences have been Corbin Bleu and John Mayer so it’s safe to say I really didn’t know what I was in for.
1. Mosh pits
It may be 2016 but mosh pits are still very alive… at every bass drop. When the first one happened, it was a circle opening and I was like, “yes, dance off!” Nope, it was the forming of a mosh pit, which is literally a group of people jumping and shoving each other. Nobody wins with a mosh pit. I was involuntarily involved in a few, but I came out with minimal scratches. My white converse are now brown with patches of white, but that being my biggest casualty is fine with me.
2. Aggressively break the personal space bubble
You’re dancing (or trying to) while packed like sardines. I don’t know whose back my fanny pack was rubbing against or who was unintentionally dancing on me, but I didn’t mind. Despite being in a crowd of strangers, it was almost like we weren’t strangers seeing as we were all dancing to the same beat and singing the same lyrics. It’s definitely one way to meet people, that’s for sure.
3. Realize how attractive the artists really are
Being that I’ve never truly seen anyone famous in the flesh, having the opportunity changes everything. I did not realize how hot Fergie was until I ran to her stage run-twerking to her singing Fergalicious. Martin Garrix? Smoking. Looks aside, nothing is more attractive than seeing someone do something they love.
4. Use a porta potty
Sorry, but you have to do it because it’s your best option. Just breathe through it (not through your nose) and it’ll be quick and painless.
5. Gawk at the outfits
I saw more of some stranger’s bodies than I would’ve liked to, but I know they probably think they look like a music festival star, so I didn’t think too much of it. I saw fishnets, tie-dye, lace, a lot of skin, floral patterns, and more. There are no rules of what to wear, which is arguably the best and worst part.
6. Sweat
Of course this depends on the weather, but chances are, if you’re in the crowd, you’re sweating. You’re sweating way more than you’d like and you’re rubbing against fellow sweaty dancers. There’s no getting around it, just embrace the sweaty glow.
7. DANCE
Music festivals are the place to dance how you normally dance to the music when you’re alone, but in public. Everyone else is feeling the music with every flail of their arms and shake of their butts. It’s very freeing to be able to shut your eyes and feel the music the way you feel it when your headphones are in and the world is shut out. No one cares if you’re a bad dancer, no one cares if you don’t know all the words.
8. Take an unnecessarily long Snapchat story
It’s almost an instinct to film your favorite artists, even though we all know Snapchats of concerts are high on the list of most annoying things ever. Sorry ‘bout it.
9. Lose something
This could be anything. Your pride, your body weight in sweat, money, your shoes, you name it. At the end of the day, it may look like a tornado swallowed you up and spit you out, but it was worth it to shamelessly sing and dance to your favorite artist.
10. Have the time of your life
Through the sweat, mud, and money spent on water, music festivals will always be worth it. There are few feelings comparable to that of being in the crowd singing and dancing to your favorite song with your friends (and thousands of strangers). It’s a feeling worth craving, worth feeding.
I survived Wireless 2016 and I’ll never forget it.
