Fact: Music festivals are so much better than regular concerts. Not only are there way more cool things to see and do, like food trucks and vendors, but they are simply more cost effective. Music festival tickets are typically anywhere from $150-$500 (for general admission), some regular concert tickets can be the same price, but at a festival you enjoy at least twice the number of acts. Music Festival: 2, Regular Concert: 0. Moreover, music festivals take place in the great outdoors, the concerts are open air so even when you are being crushed between people moshing in front of a stage, it doesn’t feel as suffocating as moshing in a stadium or theater. With Coachella sort of kicking off the official start of music festival season and with summer coming in at full force, music festival season is officially in full swing. This summer there is a festival for everybody, everything from raging Bonnaroo to indie Outside Lands. No matter what your scene is, music festivals are way more fun when you have the proper gear, so these are my must have items for music festivals.
1. (Empty) Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is always important, but especially so when you’re walking around and dancing in the summer heat. However, keep in mind that some music festivals have strict rules and won’t allow liquids or the bottle has to be sealed and unopened.
2. Closed Toe Shoes
Save your toes and don’t wear sandals. Try to pick a comfortable pair that you can wear all day.
3. Blanket
Not only is it something to sit on, but festivals can go into the wee hours of the morning and a blanket is a great extra layer if it gets cold, just drape it over your shoulders like the original blanket scarf.
4. Sunglasses
Nothing is worse than being unable to see the artist performing because the sun is in your eyes.
5. Good bag of some kind
My favorite is a backpack, but absolutely not a string bag. Hours of carrying one of those around will kill your armpits and shoulders. Other great options include a cross body bag, or fanny pack.
6. Granola Bars
Of course you can buy food at the festival, but save a little money and bring your own granola bars or snacks to help tide you over to the next food truck meal. Be careful with this item though, not all festivals allow outside food, so check up on the specific rules at the festival you’re attending.
7. Portable phone charger
There is nothing worse than not being able to post your epic music festival times to Snapchat, so save that battery with a portable phone charger. Some festivals have charging stations, but those are usually crazy packed, so a portable charger will still come in handy. ProTip: If you are camping at the festival, bring a charger that is powered by AA batteries.
8. Written phone numbers of the people you’re with
Just in case your phone and your charger die, have the numbers of the people you are traveling with written down so that you can still contact them.
9. Wet Wipes
Heaven forbid the hand washing stations go down at the port-a-potties. Plus they work for an almost bath if you’re camping.
10. First Aid Kit
The last thing you want is to miss a set because you are hunting down the Medical tent because of a paper cut.
11. Lamzac™ WooHoo™ AeroNest™ (or similar inflatable seating)
If you bring the blanket this is probably unnecessary, but if you feel like spending around $60, it’s a pretty sweet thing to have.
Happy music festival going!
