The ultimate guide to music festivals

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By Paula Dispa

Walking towards the entrance, juniors Regina Dispa and Grace Johnson enjoy the music festival Rock in Rio. Photo courtesy of Paula Dispa
Walking towards the entrance, juniors Regina Dispa and Grace Johnson enjoy the music festival Rock in Rio. Photo courtesy of Paula Dispa

Music. Dancing. Raging. The greatest night of your life. That’s what music festivals are all about. It’s a day filled with endless music and great people. Various outdoor music festivals take place here in the city that never sleeps, such as, Rock in Rio, Life is Beautiful and EDC.

For starters, plan ahead. As with many things, doing a little bit of advance preparation ahead of time is going to make life a lot easier, like buying the tickets beforehand. Also, figuring out transportation for arriving and leaving the festival. Driving there can be tricky since there will be a lot of traffic, not to mention finding a parking spot. Instead, pay for a shuttle- many festivals offer them if you pay ahead- or pay for an Uber.

Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Many festivals have unique themes which persuade many people to dress up for that specific theme. Quite a few individuals also use this opportunity to express themselves in unique ways and let their fashionista out. Take in consideration that you will be at the music festival for several hours, so check the weather ahead of time and make smart decisions regarding outfit choices. Shoes are the most important thing: you’ll be dancing, walking, and at some point, you’ll be moving your feet without understanding how they’re still operating. At the same time, your feet are going to get stomped by someone repeatedly, it just happens, so protect your feet. Also, get a durable backpack, fanny pack, or bag that holds a lot of stuff in which to carry your survival kit. Remember, you’re not there to impress anyone, so have fun with what you wear.

Take care of yourself. Music festivals can be draining, so take a break when you need to. Also, you don’t need to be in the front for every set, or any at all, really. It’s fun to relax, sit and take the music in from the back of the audience, where you have room to breathe. Remember to eat, too. You’re walking around a lot and exerting way more energy than normal, so you need the calories. Luckily lots of festivals offer some really great food. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.

Lastly, have fun. Enjoy the festival. Meet new people. Smile. Laugh till your stomach hurts. Take it all in. Listen to music. Get out of your head a little bit. Make new memories, and enjoy yourself. Let go of all your worries and responsibilities. You’ll have tomorrow for that.