Summer is a wonderful time for music lovers. Open-air concerts and festivals take place throughout the summer, bringing people together to enjoy great music and good company. Some take place in cities with full amenities, and outside the city, while others are held in more remote locations and require some preparation for outdoor conditions.
Let’s look at how to prepare for a music festival so you can enjoy the experience instead of dealing with unnecessary discomfort.
How to Prepare for a Music Festival: 12 Essential Tips
1. Choose the performances you want to attend
Music festivals usually last for more than one day. There are often many performers and several stages where different artists perform simultaneously. To avoid missing the performances you’re most interested in, take a look at the lineup. Study the information about the artists, choose the artists you definitely want to see. Pay attention not only to the headliners, but also to the newcomers: you may discover some hidden gems.
When you have done your research, make a personal plan. Note the date, time, artist, and stage for each performance. Set aside time to move between venues — sometimes the transitions can be long.
2. Study the rules and the map of the festival
Read what you can and can’t take with you to the festival. Find out in advance where the entrances, exits, parking areas, stages, restrooms, and food vendors are located. Ask if there will be drinking fountains, recreation areas, and whether you’re allowed to bring a tent or rent one. This way it will be easier for you to navigate the festival grounds and not have to carry unnecessary items.
3. Prepare a stable mobile connection
Festivals often require registration, ticket confirmations, Wi-Fi logins, and various online services. If you prefer not to share your personal phone number everywhere, a temporary number service such as GetTempNumber can provide an additional layer of privacy while traveling.
4. Listen to tracks and learn the lyrics
Sometimes we like a song, but we often remember only the chorus. That may not matter in everyday life, but at a music festival you want to sing along with your favorite artists. Listen to popular songs more often that will definitely sound at the concert. Sing along. Save the lyrics on your phone and look at them when you have a free minute — you’re likely to remember at least some of them.
5. Choose clothes based on the weather
Perhaps this is the most important item on the list. If you are cold or hot, it is difficult to enjoy music. Take a look at the forecast and choose appropriate clothing. Dress in layers: then you’ll be comfortable in both the daytime heat and the cooler evening temperatures. Be prepared for the fact that the forecast may be wrong — it’s better to take a windbreaker and not put it on than to end up cold because of an unexpected breeze.
6. Wear comfortable shoes
Choose shoes in which you can walk a lot, stand for long periods, and perhaps also dance vigorously. Proven sneakers or running shoes will do. But avoid wearing a brand-new pair — who knows how you will feel in it after a few hours. Boots or waterproof shoe covers may be useful in case the grounds get muddy.
7. Bring sun protection and insect repellent
Take sunscreen with you: sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. They will help you enjoy daytime performances and protect you from overheating and the harmful effects of UV rays. And if you are sensitive to insect bites, you should also think about repellents.
8. Prepare a snack
As a rule, there are food courts at festivals, but a snack is also useful — you may get hungry unexpectedly, but it will be a pity to leave a performance. Choose something small, but at the same time useful and energizing. Take a look at the rules of the festival: they usually tell you what food items you’re allowed to bring.
9. Take a power bank
Take photos and videos, what food items you’re allowed to bring, check the festival map or your personal plan — you will need your phone all the time. Charging stations aren’t always available at festivals, and there may also be a queue. Therefore, it is worth taking a power bank with you.
10. Pack a personal first-aid kit
Put painkillers, antiseptic, and adhesive bandages in your backpack. Usually at large festivals there is a medical center, but with a personal first-aid kit you can quickly cope with a minor illness or injury.
11. Carry some cash
You might want to eat or buy merch. Also, payment terminals can sometimes stop working. In this case, it is better to have a cash on hand. At some festivals, some festivals use wristbands for cashless payments — it is better to read about this in advance.
12. Take a blanket or something to sit on
If you are attending the festival without camping, think about what will help you relax between performances. For example, you can take a waterproof blanket with you and lay it out away from the stage. Or use a lightweight folding stool.
Conclusion
An open-air festival is a great opportunity to relax with friends, meet new people, and listen to good music. The main thing is to prepare well before you go and treat emergency situations with humor. After all, unexpected moments are often part of what makes festivals memorable.
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