Music festivals are fun for a multitude of reasons. Of course, there's all of the bands, but don't overlook elements such as greasy festival food, vendors with free stickers, and most importantly, people watching! You might make new friends, bond over bands that you love, or simply run into, erm... "interesting" individuals. At any rate, festivals are the best place to go people watching. Here are six of the many types of people you'll meet as we head into the summer festival season.
The really, really drunk guy stumbling from stage to stage.
But can you blame the guy? I think most of us can agree that it’s 500% times easier to dance in a crowd when you’re drunk. It makes everything seem like fun, even if you don’t know the band that’s playing! You can only hope that he has friends nearby that can help walk him home, as you watch him walk into 5 different people while managing to not spill his beer. Priorities, right?
The High School Hipsters.
Personally, I believe certain festivals (big ones like Coachella and Sasquatch, local ones like Folklife and Bumbershoot are much different) are most enjoyable in your 20s. By that time your music taste has matured and things like navigating crowds and being respectful are permanently ingrained in your mind. But amongst the music fest crowds hide the 15-and-16-year-old high schoolers who, like, are soooo in love with Twenty One Pilots and Vance Joy and still buy a majority of their clothes at Forever 21. The kind of people who are only buying vinyl because it looks cool but don’t even own a record player.
So when they walk into a festival and are exposed to a ton of inebriated older people and a lineup of bands they’ve never heard of, they find it a bit overwhelming. The perplexed looks on their faces is easy to spot and rather humorous.
The Woodstock Revivalists
Some of the giveaways of these throwback-to-the-sixties individuals include: leather shawls, tie-dye shirts, moccasins, headbands, and a poorly-maintained vehicle. You can find Woodstockers lying down and staring at the sky, dancing on the edges of crowds, or playing their own guitar (or banjo… or sitar…). The best thing about these guys, however, is that they’re super chill and friendly and will gladly give out free hugs.
The Walking Free People Advertisements
If I could describe Free People in three words, they would be: lace, Boho, and fringe. Albeit, they can have pretty clothes. But some people really go all out and buy brand-new shorts and crop tops and necklaces and bralettes and skirts and tunics and sandals just for a windy, dusty, sweaty weekend of music. How these magical people are able to afford both an expensive wardrobe AND a music festival ticket are beyond me. I’ll stick with the festival outfits I can find at consignment stores, please.
The Dude Dancing Next to You That's Clearly Had More Than Alcohol
Some people like to take part in both herbal and synthetic "supplements" during the festival, elevating their whole experience. Some people dance and wave their hands in the air, others laugh uncontrollably on the ground as they stare off into the distance, and others are just really, really happy. You just can't help thinking what's going through their head right now (but you can be guaranteed they're having a pretty good time!).
People Wearing Awesome Costumes You Wouldn't See Anywhere Else
A group of people in banana suits. A woman whose arms spread to form iridescent butterfly wings. A dude in bird leggings and an eagle mask. The free spirit of a music festival allows anyone to where anything they want. If you can, try taking your picture with them. They'll probably feel honored—why would they wear the costume if they didn't want to be acknowledged? It'll make your day, and theirs.
