As an avid lover of music and dressing up like a rave-queen when I feel it necessary... or just on casual weekends, I feel very qualified to talk about this topic. Coachella, Sasquatch, and Watershed are fast approaching, and many of us are contemplating whether or not the music, the experience, and all of that damn money is worth it. I mean, if you think about it, $400 could buy you all of your books for school, part of a spring break trip, or one hundred $4 meals at McDonalds. Crazy, right? The $400 does not even include any of your festival expenses. Even though it seems like a hardship on your wallet, I say that the live music, the endless amount of money you will spend, and the incredible memories that you will gain are completely worth it. This all depends though... are you up for one of the dirtiest weekends of your life, with no showers or clean clothes? How about a complete lack of sleep? Or the possibility of having to urinate behind a tree somewhere because the bathrooms are too far? From experience, no matter what festival you are considering, it is all worth it.
Here are three reasons to attend a festival sometime in your life:
1. The Live Music:
If you have ever been to a live show, you know very well that when you see your favorite band live, it is generally 10 times better in person. If you look around, some people may be crying or holding their hands out like they are going to reach out and grab whoever is performing. Beware of crazies (but honestly, I cried during Adventure Club at Coachella, so I am one of those people). Also beware of people hitting you in the face with their wild trap dance moves. That girl with the fuzzy boots over there may hit you with her backpack in the face, so watch out. One thing that I love about the music is that wherever you go, it just sounds amazing, because you know you are in such a great environment.
2. The Vibes:
I am trying not to sound cheesy, but this is a known fact. There are “good vibes” pretty much wherever you go in a festival. In general everyone is just extraordinarily happy. Festival attendees are willing to help each other out, so that they have the best experience possible. For example someone loaned me money when I was at Coachella for a watermelon, because they were literally $8, and I was a poor starving Idahoan in need of fruit. In order to have these “good vibes” while you are there, you need to just let go. Just live in the moment and enjoy where you are here and now. The experience and the memories will last forever, but the happiness will be the greatest in that moment.
3. The Adventure:
As I mentioned earlier, these memories and the short time you spent there will last your entire life. You will never regret a weekend of good friends, great music, and beautiful scenery. Whether it be behind an annoying girl screaming on the shoulders of her boyfriend during your favorite song at Watershed, the inside of a dirty and dusty tent, or on a grassy knoll with all of your friends, this adventure can not be overlooked. So make the most of it. The money, the time, and the potential hangover are all worth it. You will be left with nothing but a smile on your face.
