Concerts and music festivals are embedded in the culture of New Orleans, and I bet more than a few of you are reading this in a state of Buku-induced exhaustion. So whether you’re counting down the days until John Mayer at Jazz Fest, scrounging up money for Bonnaroo in June, or content with watching Lollapalooza live online, here’s a few tips to make your festival experience a little more enjoyable.
DO: Arrive at the festival early. If the set of your favorite band begins at 4:00, you can’t casually arrive at 3:45 and expect to catch the opening song. Music festivals are generally huge, and locating the correct stage can be difficult. Also, depending on the size of the crowd and the efficiency of the workers, being admitted into the festival can take forever and a day. You don’t want to hear the far-off notes of your favorite song while a security guard checks your purse, because you will hate yourself for not arriving earlier. Trust me on this one.
DON’T: Venture off alone. Music festivals are filled with tons and tons of people, and if you get separated from your friends it will literally be a miracle if you find them again. Cell phone service typically doesn’t work at large festivals, and wandering to look for the group you lost will be hard if not impossible. You will see 10 million girls in trendy high-waisted shorts that look just like your friend’s, but none of them will actually be your friend. My friend got separated at Lollapalooza last year and we didn’t see her again until the end of the night. She ended up tagging along with a group of basketball players from Yale, so it worked out in her favor, but I’m guessing that doesn’t happen that often. Most likely if you get lost, you will spend the remainder of the festival drifting alone, sad and confused. So stay with your friends!
DO: Wear a fanny pack. There aren’t a ton of situations where fanny packs are socially acceptable, but music festivals are one of them. And if you are in a situation where it is socially acceptable to wear a fanny pack, wear a fanny pack. They are more or less the most convenient things on the planet, and are especially well suited to music festivals. Fanny packs allow you to keep your arms free for dancing or pushing through the crowd, and leave you free of worry that you will lose your belongings. Unlike a purse, a fanny pack is not likely to fall off you; it’s literally strapped around your waist. So if you don’t already have one, head to a local thrift store and buy a fanny pack before your next music festival. You won’t regret it.
DO: Bring food and water. Yes, there will be food and water available at the festival. However, unless dropping $20 for a bottle of lukewarm water is your thing, I suggest you bring some water with you. Throw a bottle in your fanny back, or opt for a CamelBak backpack instead. It’s also a good idea to bring a granola bar or three with you. The food at the music festival will be overpriced as well, and as you will likely spend the whole day walking and dancing you will get hungry. Don’t be forced to buy a $15 slice of pizza you don’t really want. Be prepared.
DON’T: Get belligerent. The majority of attendees at the music festival will have at least a little alcohol in their system, as drinking is typically part of the concert scene. However, while it’s totally okay to have a drink or two before entering, do not I repeat do not get overly drunk. You know how I mentioned CamelBaks are a good thing to bring? I should probably clarify that they should be filled with water and not vodka. Music festivals are a unique and amazing experience, and you will want to remember it. Also, your friends will hate you (at least for the day) if they are forced to miss concerts in order to take care of you. Music festivals can be fun sober, but they can’t be fun if you’re stuck puking in a porta potty bathroom. So make good decisions Collegiettes!