If you haven't heard about the ever-increasing hype over music festivals such as Coachella, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, and others, you probably live under a rock. Just kidding. But it has become pretty hard to miss all the Facebook posts and Instagram photos of these festivals from the hundreds of thousands of festival-goers.
But if you're one of the individuals gearing up to go to your first music festival (or even if you're a veteran of music festivals), listen closely to these tips on how to make the most out of the multiple-day extravaganza you are about to experience.
1. Be aware of the weather forecast before you get there.
You do not want to be that person who gets stuck in a heavy downpour wearing shorts and flip-flops. Even if you are dying to wear that new crop top you just bought, if it doesn't agree with the weather, don't wear it. You will just end up looking like a fool. Don't be a rookie--check the forecast while you are packing.
2. Bring sunscreen and USE IT.
I cannot stress this enough. Getting sunburnt can be one of the most miserable things in the world, and it can ruin your whole experience in just 10 minutes in some cases. Even if it's cloudy, the sun can be deceiving, so remember to use sunscreen. Don't just bring it to make yourself feel better and end up never taking off the plastic. I promise you won't look like a nerd if you actually use it.
3. FOOD & WATER.
This may seem rudimentary to some, but the excitement of going from concert to concert all day long can easily make you forget about your body's basic needs for life. Dehydration will hit you like a brick wall, and it can take a while for your body to bounce back. This can clearly ruin your experience as well, so be proactive and don't deprive your body.
4. Listen to some of the artists before you get there.
If you're attending a music festival, I'm assuming you looked up the lineup before you purchased your ticket. But hey, you may be the type of person who does things on a whim. Good for you for being spontaneous, I guess, but if you really have no clue who is performing, I would highly suggest looking it up and listening to some of the artists beforehand. It will be a lot more enjoyable if you know some of the songs, or even just mildly recognize them.
5. Plan out your schedule.
All music festivals release schedules of what day and time each artist is playing a couple weeks before the festival starts. Make a list of the people you want to see perform, and make a note of when and where each of them play. The venue is most likely going to be extremely big, so don't be that person aimlessly walking around, asking people where Kendrick Lamar is playing. Use a little common sense.
Last but not least...
6. Enjoy it!
Festivals should be an extremely fun experience, so even though it's important, don't get too caught up in all the planning. You are ultimately there to have fun and enjoy your time listening to good music, so don't forget to do so!
