FEST FOR SUCCESS by Brittany Bates
Finally! It’s the season of long line-ups, sweet tunes, sweatdrenched body parts and dancing in bare feet until you nearly faint. It’s music festival season! After many summers of hopping between venues, I have, like any dedicated festival-goer, discovered some “dos” and “don’ts”. (CHECK OUT HIGHLINE’S FAVOuRITE FESTIVALS, PAGE 58)
Don’t: Check out only the big names. There will be some awesome headliners, but also a handful of obscure bands. Give these aspiring musicians your time. It’s a great way to discover your new favourite artist or the next big thing before your pals do.
Do: Bring water. A lot. Unfortunately, some festivals still only sell bottled water (gross). Beer only goes so far.
Don’t: Assume being in the crowd in front of
Photo courtesy of Heather “But-is-it-art?” Bishop.
the stage is better than farther back. There you can lie down, stretch out and relax after a nice long day of sunstroke (though sometimes being squeezed into a crowd of damp strangers within striking distance of the lead singer’s spit is a wonderful and necessary experience).
Do: Make friends. Festivals summon creative and kind humans, so ask the girl behind you in line about her favourite shows, or chat up the cute bearded guy slinging your microbrew. Ditch your friends for an afternoon and adventure alone – who knows who you’ll meet? Do: Engage with the band by watching the show with your own eyes and ears instead of recording it on your smartphone to watch later. You’ll have more fun and the people behind you will love you for it.