Attending a music festival is quite an experience. Some may go as far as saying it’s life changing. It will definitely be a weekend you will never forget. Being surrounded by thousands of people and multiple bands and performers you love will bring up many emotions. I have finally attended my very first music festival and had the time of my life. I experienced many new things and learned a few lessons along the way.
1. Sunscreen is your new BFF.
You will be under the sun ALL DAY. One layer of SPF in the morning isn’t going to cut it. You will be sweating off one layer of sunscreen within an hour. REAPPLY, REAPPLY, REAPPLY! You do not want to fry. Nothing is more miserable than a bad sunburn. Being in the sun all day for three days straight will take a toll on your skin. If you don’t want to look like a lobster or be burnt so bad it hurts to take a shower, then you will need to have sunscreen with you at ALL TIMES.
2. You will lose the need for personal space.
There is no such thing as personal space at a music festival. You will be in a sea of thousands of people, rubbing against each other. Everyone is sweaty and gross, but no one cares. People will be pushing to get closer to the stage. You will be jumping and dancing next to complete strangers. If you are a freak about having your personal bubble, a music festival may not be for you.
3. You will go to the extreme for water.
When you sit in the sun for hours in the dead heat, dehydration really starts to take effect. The price of drinks will be ridiculously high once you are in the gates, but $9 for a bottle of cold water seems like a killer deal when you hit the point of no return and start seeing little black dots in your line of sight. For anyone else who is a music fest virgin like myself, you are allowed to take a water bottle in as long as it is empty, and you can fill it once inside. Don't make the same mistake I did and come empty handed.
4. You will meet some really cool people.
When you stand next to strangers for hours on end, you start to talk to each other. When you discover that they are waiting to see the same band you are, you both become instant friends and start “fangirling” over how hot the lead singer is. You don’t just meet new people, you scream and dance with them too. Everyone is so much more open and outgoing. If everyone acting like they did at a music festival, I think we would find world peace.
5. Scream.
Scream your lungs out. Scream until your throat burns, and you know you won’t be able to talk tomorrow. If you have the opportunity to be front row while the band you love is performing and scream so loud the lead singer makes eye contact with you, you take it. Everyone will be yelling like it’s their last day on earth, so you won’t be alone.
6. You will lose your hearing, voice, and mind temporarily, but it’s okay.
The bass will be so loud you can feel it in your throat. You will be screaming at the top of your lungs when your favorite band hits center stage. Between the music and everyone else yelling you won’t be able to hear yourself think. Once the band starts playing your favorite song rational thinking gets thrown out the window. You will scream things you won’t dare speak aloud in public. You will feel such a rush of emotions. The standing for hours, dehydration, and lack of ability to run to the restroom because you HAVE to keep you front row spot will all be worth it once your favorite band starts performing. You will dance and sing like you are insane, but so will everyone else.
