The 6 Commandments Of Attending A Music Festival
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

The 6 Commandments Of Attending A Music Festival

Everything you need to know to prepare yourself for your next music festival.

Sean Woytowitz
Sep 24, 2018
Emory University
39
The 6 Commandments Of Attending A Music Festival
https://www.pexels.com/photo/action-adults-celebration-clouds-433452/

As my Music Midtown 2018 experience passes, I felt it was only right that I share the lessons I learned attending a large music festival, as preparation and awareness are definitely key if you're looking to have a good time!

Bring UNOPENED Water!

https://giphy.com/gifs/cheezburger-soccer-3o6Zt4XnTSJcS659g4

Having to throw away a reusable water bottle that I stupidly brought with me to Music Midtown was sad because not only did I lose the bottle but I was dehydrated for most of the day as well. I still had the time of my life but a solid 16 ounces of water definitely would've improved the experience. Most festivals will only let you bring unopened water, and you don't want to stand in an hour-long line to pay 500% marked up prices on a bottle of water once you're inside, so make sure you take at least one water bottle with you!

If You Don't Like the Smell of Cigarettes, Stand Upwind

https://giphy.com/gifs/cigarettes-chicken-problem-Scn9X4dqJfBW8

In spite of the excessive vape culture that you would expect to find at music festivals, there's a surprising amount of people smoking old-fashioned cigarettes throughout the venue. If you're heading towards a pit in front of a stage, choose to go on the side that is upwind, as this will prevent all of the smoke from the other side from clogging up your lungs.

If You're a Guy, Search for the Urinal Trough

https://giphy.com/gifs/lol-urinal-handwashing-vOfGogfb1YuB2

Bathrooms at music festivals will always have some of the longest lines you've ever seen, but if you're a guy (and you only have to go #1), you're in luck. Most festivals, in addition to individual bathrooms stalls, will have fenced off urinal troughs where guys can simply walk up, do their business, and leave. And, as expected, there is almost never a line for these.

Bring. Your. Own. Food.

https://giphy.com/gifs/reaction-28LMv75oKuQTY9NRKO

$4 for a 12-pack of granola bars, or $10 for a slice of pizza? If you're the kind of person who sneaks candy into the movie theatre to avoid the nearly illegal prices at the theatre, then you're definitely going to want to bring your own food with you into a music festival. Not only will you save yourself money, but you'll save yourself a huge amount of time that you would've spent waiting in line. I bought a full variety pack of Nature Valley bars and stuffed them into my drawstring bag and it was possibly one of the best decisions I made throughout the entire weekend.

Enter the Pit from the Sides

https://giphy.com/gifs/sbo1qV6ek1G7K

At smaller, indoor, rectangular venues, this kind of strategy doesn't matter nearly as much because people are pretty evenly distributed throughout all parts of the pit. However, at a festival, there is so much space in the audience that going around the back of the pit and entering it from the side will guarantee you a much closer spot to the stage, as most people just sort of clump towards the center.

Know When to Head to the Next Stage

https://giphy.com/gifs/love-coachella-music-festival-VdE2GGudGWnRu

Towards the end of the night, there will often be two fairly popular artists playing on separate stages, one right after the other. If you really want to see both, the best move is to watch the first artist until their most popular song comes on, and then start walking to the next stage to get a good spot as the song is playing. There's always a huge number of people who go to see an artist and only know that one song by them that's on the radio and once they hear it they'll head over to the next artist. Beating the crowd to the second artist is key to finding a spot where you'll be able to turn up.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

Siena College
15956
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
small towns
Relationships

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you.

University of New Haven
293696
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College
90264
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
waitlisted
Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society
152607
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College
62307
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments