15 rules of survival at a music festival
The season of music festivals begins in Moscow: This weekend will be held a three-day "Park Live" at the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, July 5 - "SVOY Subbotnik" in Gorky Park, and there and "Afisha Picnic" is just around the corner. On the eve of protracted music weekends in the fresh air, we recall simple rules that will help to survive any festival. Are you going to Flow, Melt! or Exit, following this list of tips, you do not exactly faint from heat, hunger or eating disorders, and also easily solve the perennial question "what to wear."
1
Follow the rules of the crowd.
The concert crowd has its own simple rules to keep in mind. Simple logic dictates: no need to climb to those who slam at the scene, and then complain about pushing people. You will not be pushed only on the condition that you will stand at a distance on a hillock, and even that is not a fact. No need to sit down on someone’s shoulders: you can see, and the ten people behind you aren’t, and you’ll get off, as luck would have it, a pair of snow-white music lovers T-shirts next door. Well and the good old - think about your hair: for the time of the crowd, remove them at least on your shoulder, so that the hungry person will still have a snack at the food court, not the crowd, and think about this simple rule the next time you dissolve them at rush hour on the subway. Also, keep track of your personal belongings - do not introduce thieves into the temptation with an unclosed backpack. Unpleasant stories happen, so it's best to still be careful among a lot of very different people.
2
Protect yourself from the weather
Dress according to the weather, not the season, even if it is 10 degrees outside, and the photos from "Coachella" do not allow you to sleep. If it's cold - wear your favorite warm sweatshirt, if the sun is burning - do not forget to cover your head so as not to earn a sunstroke (it’s better if it is not a black baseball cap, then you will not be exposed to heat). The evening will probably be much cooler - keep this in mind when collecting a backpack. If there is even the most miserable chance of rain, grab a rain coat, and if it happens in the park, you should probably think about choosing rubber boots, since Hunter is a festival hit year after year. Leave the umbrella at home - many festivals ask them to pass at the entrance. Besides the fact that it interferes with others, you yourself will be uncomfortable with him, buy a cool rain coat instead of him.
3
Protect yourself from yourself
Collect a mini first-aid kit and pack it in a separate cosmetic bag. Let you have a remedy for headaches, indigestion (suddenly you are not lucky in the food court), a couple of healing patches for corns (seriously, this is a brilliant invention) and - most importantly - a disinfecting gel and wet wipes. Gel may not save you from 100% frightening microorganisms, but you don't need it. If you are very worried about hygiene, then prepare yourself a set of mini-soap and a bottle of water: nothing cleans as much as washing your hands.
4
Think again about shoes
Let it be shoes for the weather and be sure to wear a flat sole, although if you haven't worn anything more comfortable in your Jeffrey Campbell platform, and growing to sixty meters is your lucky day. Do not wear new shoes, even if they are sneakers - it would be foolish to deprive yourself of the opportunity to jump at the scene after an hour of walking in godlessly rubbing shoes. Make a choice in favor of old comfortable shoes or sneakers - these are ideal shoes for a not too wet festival, which will protect your feet from dirt, insects, cold, but most importantly - from other feet. True, do not be surprised if this will be the last exit of the pair in the light.
5
Turn on the control freakand don't forget your smartphone
Subscribe to the festival on Instagram, Facebook, contact and download the official app of the event. Plan in advance what sets you are going to, especially if the sites are spread around the city. Stay tuned for updates and cancellations, surely one of the artists will be late for the plane. In order not to lose friends and enjoy elusive 3G, do not forget the extra battery.
6
Refuse makeup and think better about care.
Obviously, even if it is overcast on the street, do not forget about a good Sanskrin. You can also take some light moisturizing body gel with you if your skin is prone to dryness. Festivals often take place in parks, so be sure to use a mosquito spray before plunging into the musical life. The best makeup for the festival - minimal and waterproof. Although if you want to demonstrate to others the black stains of the carcass from your tears and how much you were impressed with your favorite group, it is good for your health. All the rest will be useful matting napkins and a light mineral base, they will help get rid of excess shine during the day.
7
Do not litter
We all care about the environment, we are very careful, we eat only organic products, and sort the garbage, but after the festivals the parks are for some reason filled with mountains of this very garbage. Please just throw it in the trash. If you are in a recycling country, pay attention to how plastic, paper, organic materials are sorted and follow the instructions (or look after the local ones after all).
8
Drink more water
Taking care of yourself does not end with the above: be sure to eat well at the local food market, for sure there will be great eateries with good street food. If you can bring water to the festival, be sure to take a large bottle with you, and if you can not, then look for free ones, most likely they will be distributed. From so much activity, jumping at the scene and especially in the heat the body will be terribly dehydrated, so drink more. Do not be afraid of dry closets (as a result): if you have a disinfecting gel and wipes - you will not care.
9
Know the measure
In the spirit of the previous paragraph - do not get drunk before losing your pulse. Visitors of Glastonbury and Exit will disagree with us, but nevertheless, dispense alcohol, if it is available, it will be more fun for you - you will see groups for whose concerts you paid a lot, and even remember their performances the next day.
10
Be prudent at the tent with merch and don’t forget about sponsorship generosity
The merchandising of the performing groups and local markets with everything in the world is, of course, cool. But keep in mind that the prices of most products at festivals are unreasonably high, so be reasonable when you throw on, for example, festival t-shirts. Better choose one, but the coolest. But the free little things that the sponsors give out can be very useful: most often, these are eco bags (you will go for groceries besides festival supplies), earplugs (so many people listen to concerts, earplugs cut off extra noise) and raincoats (why you still haven't bought your own ?)
11
Do not try to do everything - plan wisely.
The list of concerts must be your personal break or a few, if you know a tendency to quickly tire. Accept the thought that you cannot see absolutely everything and that is not at all scary. Take time for food and immediately decide on which of the two at the same time playing performers you are going. Festivals give false hope that you will finally see all your favorite performers at once, but you should not go with this attitude, otherwise the event will turn out to be a complete disappointment for you. The main thing - do not bite your elbows, if suddenly you realize that you made a mistake with the choice - boldly walk to another scene.
12
Be prudent
Come to the most anticipated concerts (personally by you or if you are after headlining) in advance if you want to be at least relatively close to the stage. It is unserious to listen to the rest and just a little to the side, sit on the grass or just don’t try to get into the crush - save your strength for your favorite groups. At the end of the crowd or on the side you usually see much better than from its middle.
13
Leave the kids at home
Do not take children if you want to hear as much as possible. Here, parents and without us, of course, will understand, just do not harbor illusions about the festivals. Undoubtedly, they are designed for children as well, but still it will be easier for kids to engage in local entertainment such as frisbees, kites, or even exploring food tents rather than patiently watching several concerts in a row in one place. But for children who quietly or even enjoy listening to concerts (well, or running around nearby during them), earplugs will be even more useful than you.
14
Communicate
At festivals, people are usually much more than usual, relaxed and disposed towards non-obliging chatter - the situation finally has. Do not hesitate to discuss with your neighbor just the last concert, it may very well be that in this way you will find a new friend - which is especially nice when it comes to a festival in another country.
15
Well and the main thing - relax
Even if something did not work out, you rubbed your legs, and you do not have a plaster, or your favorite group did not come, and you just went for it - do not worry. In comparison with the final number of concerts, what you will see, the atmosphere around and the general feeling of summer and carelessness, all minor difficulties actually turn out to be utter nonsense. Do not deprive yourself of the opportunity to escape from the routine and have a good rest.
Photo: coverphoto, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 via Flickr
