A music festival can be a scary place. From strange performance-hula-hoopers to five-dollar canned coffee, there are many obstacles that any festival-goer must hurdle in order to have a successful experience. After testing our festival skills on day one of the Landmark Music Festival, we’re sharing our hot tips for how to right the wrongs you may have committed on your first day on the Mall.
You brought a small child. Why would you do this? Can a 3-year-old really understand the contributions that artists like Drake and Wale have brought to the music scene? Further, bringing a child seems to ask for an earful of wailing (and not of the musical sort) throughout the day. Children under the age of 7 also act like drunk people, slurring their speech and pulling at you as you drag them to Wale’s set. Why bring a child who requires constant diaper changing and non-GMO corn mush for sustenance, when you can bring a friend who will be more than content with a picnic blanket and a Miller Lite? Both you and your child will be happier if you leave them at home. They get to sleep, and you get to enjoy good music without the added burden of another human on your back.
You forgot a jacket. Festival-goers tend to idealize weather, and think, “if it’s 70 degrees now, it will be like this until the end of time.” Especially if you’re hitting up Landmark on Sunday: bring a raincoat, or forever hold your peace.
You paid 8 dollars for a tiny piece of food. No, festivals are not tapas restaurants— but their portions would fool anyone into believing the opposite. Do yourself a favor on Sunday and pack lunch and snacks. You can splurge on a fun dinner from one of many local DC eateries. And don’t forget your refillable water bottle!
You missed part of Ben Howard’s set because you had to visit the port-a-potty. Usually, there’s at least a half-hour between sets on the same stage. Take that time to go to the restroom with a buddy (bring tissues!), and try to have one of them stay with your stuff so you can get back into the crowd after you’ve relieved yourself.
Your friends lost you in the crowd. This is all-too-common at a music festival. Try bringing a memorable hat, backpack, or even a totem with you when you try to push up to the front of the throng.
Your phone died while you were Snapchatting someone a photo of Drake. Whenever there is a large population trying to use the same cell-service in the same place, there are bound to be issues. As your phone is searching for a good signal, its battery will drain down to the dreaded red zone. Prevent this problem by bringing your charging cord (there are charging stations at most major music festivals) and taking photos or videos offline to share with friends after the concert.
But if you didn’t Snapchat it, did it really happen?
Have any music festival tips? Tweet them to us @HalftimeGU and @GtownVoice.
Some points on the “tips” – A five-year-old can have a total blast at a music festival and be an incredible bonding experience; didn’t need a rain jacket on Sunday; outside food was not allowed to this particular festival; no, please do not bring your giant totem blocking clean views – bring common sense and points/times for hookups instead; this festival was one hour between sets on each stage – also impractical unless you only care about two or three acts per day. If you guys want a festival reporter who knows and goes to them, let me know.