While Lolla was an overall great experience it was very obvious we were festival rookies. By the end of the first day we have blistered feet, burnt skin, dead phones, dehydrated bodies and empty wallets. While this didn’t take away from the full experience it would have been nice to get some tips from the more seasoned attendees.
1. Travel light.
When you decide to drive eight hours, take an hour train ride and then to finish it off climb 3 flights of stairs to your humble abode for the week you don’t want to have a 50 pound suitcase. Plan ahead! know your outfits and see what you can share with the others going with you.
2. Bring a water bottle.
Trust me you don’t want to be buying a small two dollar water can overtime your vocal cords are parched from singing at the top of your lungs. A reusable bottle is the best option; plus you are making the planet cleaner so go you!
3. Sneak in the sunblock.
I am a ginger so naturally I never go outside without my SPF 80. However at places like Lollapalooza sunscreen bottles are not allowed, but I found a way around that. Simply buy a smaller bottle and place deep into the bottom of your bag. Then take those dollar bills out of your wallet and tuck them around the bottle, once it is camouflaged throw your phone and maybe lip gloss on top. Now you look like a disorganized slob but, you won’t get skin cancer.
4. Shoes. Trust me on this.
Looking dank is just as important to me as it is to another girl but sacrifices must be made in order to avoid amputation. Whip out the orthopedics or at least a comfy pair of birks, your feet will thank you.
5. Stay unplugged.
I know snapchat was practically made for these situations and social media is meant for you to share your every moment but you will thank me when you loose your friend during the Sam Smith set and you happen to still have 15% left because you stayed off your phone. However if you are just too much of a social butterfly you can purchase a 10$ portable charger at any local Walgreens.
6. Research the music.
Concerts are a million times more fun when you know the words to the music. Look up the bands and listen! You’ll make your day a lot more stress free if you know who’s good and who you can skip.
7. Plan Plan PLAN.
Along with researching the music, research the venue. If you are going to a festival like Lolla there are multiple stages and not a lot of time to get from one to the other. Sit down with your friends the night or month before and map it out. Go earlier to the show than you think you need to, to get a good spot. Also make sure you pull up directions on your gps as well as your cab/uber to avoid being ripped off for being an out-of-townie. That being said don’t let it ruin your day when you have a hiccup, because you will but everything works out.
8. Have a homebase.
Establish a meeting place right off the bat for you and your friends incase someone gets lost. Do not rely on the sub-par cell service.
9. Try new things.
No one knows you here. Crowd surf, get on someone’s shoulders, eat a lobster corndog whatever floats your boat for these few short days.
10. Throw some elbows.
You paid a couple hundred dollars to get here, you want the full experience. Get your way up to the front don’t be scared of a little sweat and shoving, it'll be worth it in the end.
