Are you ready to attend your first music festival this summer? Music festivals offer an unforgettable experience full of performances, art, and fun. But before heading out the door, here are some tips to make sure you have a great time:
1. Research the festival – Get familiar with the lineup and decide which artists to see ahead of time
Going to a music festival is an exciting experience. You get to see some of your favourite bands or singers and discover some new ones! But before you can experience the full effect of the atmosphere, it’s essential you do your research ahead of time.
No one likes lining up outside for hours trying to figure out who they want to see. So take the time and look into each band/artist’s set list, listen to their music and even read up on any interviews they’ve done recently. That way, you’ll be able to make an educated decision on who you want to check out at the festival – do you want to stick with the big headliners or perhaps give a smaller artist a chance?
And if there are two artists playing simultaneously during different sets – whom would be the better pick? Taking a little bit of extra time beforehand could really pay off in the long run!
Or… just go with the flow! Forget about schedules and clashes – just go where ever the wind takes you!
2. Create a plan – Keep an eye on your phone or watch so that you don’t miss any acts
Going to a music festival can be the ultimate experience – it’s like having the magic of multiple gigs condensed into one! But, before you get there, it’s important to create a plan.
Think about how you want to spend your time and make sure everything is in order for maximum enjoyment.
And don’t forget, keep an eye on your phone or watch so that you don’t miss any acts: if there’s one thing worse than not making it to a band on time, it’s arriving too late and missing out completely. Rhetorical question: Do things like packing supplies like sunblock or snacks beforehand even fit into the pre-festival prep?
Absolutely!
Remembering all these little details could end up saving you time during the event itself, meaning more time for all the awesome bands you have lined up.
3. Don’t over-pack – Bring only essential items and stick to a small bag if possible
If you’re heading off to a music festival, make sure you don’t over-pack! You want to make sure that the bag or bags that hold your essentials are as small and light as possible.
Don’t forget – you’ll be hauling them around all day in the heat and the last thing you want is a super heavy backpack dragging you down.
All of those other items that seem like must-haves?
Leave them at home!
Think about what you would really need for an enjoyable experience – sunscreen, band aids, some snacks and drinks, a phone charger, dry shampoo – it’s pretty easy to fit these things into a smaller bag that won’t put too much strain on your back (not to mention your bank account)! Plus, leaving those extra items at home will mean more space for souvenirs…
See also: The Ultimate festival packing list for summer 2024
4. Get out of your comfort zone – Explore new genres, meet other attendees and have conversations with strangers
Exploring new genres and meeting other music festival-goers is a great way of expanding your music tastes and, even more importantly, creating memories that will last a lifetime!
By getting out of your comfort zone and talking to strangers, you are likely to discover new bands, starting conversations about shared interests and exchanging tales of the past festivals you have been too.
Don’t be intimidated by people who may seem different than you – everyone is there for the same reason and it can be empowering to try something new!
Plus, if nothing else – it’s an opportunity too take some stunning photos with fellow festival-goers which is sure to make your event albums stand out!
Have fun exploring outside of your usual ‘scene,’ don’t be afraid to strike up conversations, exchange contact information and connect with like minded individuals – who knows what kind of stories you could find yourself telling after your experience?
5. Take care of yourself – Wear comfortable clothes, eat regularly and stay hydrated throughout the event
When attending a music festival, it’s important to take care of yourself. Put comfort first by choosing clothes that are easy to move in and don’t restrict your movement.
Dress appropriately for the weather since you’ll be outside all day – if it’s hot, wear light-coloured and loose clothing; if it’s cold, wear layers!
Don’t forget about footwear: make sure you have some good walking shoes that can handle the crowds, uneven terrain, or rain.
See also: Wellies vs. Walking Boots (Which are better?)
Eating regular meals throughout the day will help keep energy levels up – make sure you snack regularly so you can enjoy all there is on offer without feeling too sluggish.
And because dehydration can rapidly set in with all that running around and dancing (not to mention the beer tent!), drinking plenty of water is an absolute must. Taking care of yourself at a festival will ensure you have enough energy and enjoyment for all three days of fun!
See also: Best reusable water bottles for festivals
6. Document it! – Use photos, videos, social media or write diary entries to capture all your memories from the event
Documenting your experience at a music festival is one of the best ways to store all those amazing memories in one place! Take lots of photos and videos, create Instagram stories to share with friends.
Even write some diary entries about your time there – the cool people you met, what you ate (or didn’t eat!) and any other funny anecdotes or observations.
Going back over all these things together can be just as much fun as attending a festival itself! Like a true time capsule, long after the event ends and everything starts returning to normal life, you’ll be able to open up this little slice of ‘festival life’ whenever you wish – giving yourself an instant trip back into another world!
If you’re a first-timer at a music festival, don’t be afraid to take the plunge and enjoy yourself! You’ll have an amazing time seeing some of your favorite artists, meeting new people and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Final Thoughts For Festival First-Timers
Just remember to follow these tips when heading out for your first music festival: have fun, stay hydrated and dress appropriately; find out the set times ahead of time; pack lightly; get comfortable with headset radios or apps for streaming sets; only use cash for purchases at the event; and be mindful of the rules and regulations.
With this knowledge in hand, you can now make your very own musical journey – so go forth, attend that festival and make those memories magical!
See also: Ultimate guide to British Music Festivals for Beginners
