I just returned from my second year attending Firefly, a music festival located in Dover, DE. I was rained on, evacuated out of the festival grounds, and ran on roughly five hours of sleep each night. But after seeing 25 bands in those four days, I can’t wait to go back next year.

There’s a certain part of you that hasn’t lived until you go to a music festival, plain and simple. A music festival is such a unique and spectacular experience. I know a festival can seem like a massive production of fighting through large crowds of un-showered fans. However, those negatives are quickly forgiven by the line-up, the sense of community, and the all around amazing vibe. I’m telling you, do not miss out on this kind of experience.

You aren’t just seeing one band, like you would at a normal concert. You have the privilege to see several amazing musical acts in the span of a few days. Plus what better way to be able to hear and see new bands?

Normal concerts typically squeeze crowds into confined spaces. That isn’t the case at Firefly--several stages are set up and the crowds can go on forever. This past weekend I watched Zedd, and he mentioned that he couldn’t even see the end of the crowd. That is crazy! He wasn't even a headliner, he performed at 12 a.m., and was still surrounded by a sea of endless people.

The thousands of people you share the festival grounds with become your surrogate family for the next few days. Everyone is there for the same reason: to have a good time and listen to good music. This mutual understanding is felt throughout the attendees creating a sensation of team spirit.

Take that happy-go-lucky feeling and spread it across the masses, fostering the perfect environment to make new friends.

When a festival comes around that peaks your interest, do yourself a favor and buy a ticket. You will quickly discover that this experience is one that is unparalleled and unforgettable.