Throughout my high school years, I had several friends that attended music festivals since their sophomore year. I begged my parents to let me go, but they asked that I hold off until I was in college. I grudgingly complied until this past summer, when I finally got the chance to go to Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. I'm not saying it changed my life, but... yeah, okay, it changed my life.
The experience itself is hard to explain to someone who's never been before. Even I was skeptical at first. First of all, you are surrounded by 90,000 plus other people, the vast majority of those being strangers. This is not an intimate gathering. The sheer number of people can be overwhelming, and if you're not good with crowds, it can even be scary. Secondly, you are camping. There is the option to camp out in an RV or camper, but most people go the old fashioned way and rough it in a tent. You may think, "Camping, wait, doesn't that mean...?" Yes. Porta-potties. No showers (unless you're willing to fork over a few bucks). Few places with running water. No, I'm not trying to dissuade you, I'm just trying to give you a realistic picture. All of these factors that make it seem not worth it, however, are the exact things that make it so much fun.
If you step back and think about it, you have the opportunity to see some of the most famous performers in the world. When I tell people I got to see Jack White, Elton John and Kanye West this summer, sometimes even I can't believe what I'm saying. From big names to up-and-coming bands, every different show has something to offer, and they are all incredible in their own way. Don't get too caught up on the whole hygiene thing; everyone around you is just as dirty and unwashed as you are. Coming from a girl who's never gone two days without a shower, I washed my hair once during the five days I was there, and it was glorious. Disgusting, but glorious. And the food vendors there are unreal. I bought an Amish doughnut there once between shows, and though I still don't know what the difference between an Amish doughnut and a regular doughnut is, I do know that it was the best doughnut I've ever had.
Keep in mind that Bonnaroo isn't the only festival in close proximity to Tennessee natives. Music Midtown, which took place on the 19th and 20th of this month in Atlanta, is on a smaller scale but still boasted great acts like Eminem and Lana Del Rey. The Hangout Festival took place early on in the summer in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The moral of the story is that everyone should attend at least one music festival. You get to meet people who share an affinity for good music, experience all different kinds of genres and get out of your comfort zone for a few days. And why not go before you graduate and have to join the real world?
