How to Decide Which Music Festival to Attend
Ah, so many festivals, so little time.
Which ones should you choose? There are a few things you should consider when deciding on which of the many music festivals around the globe you should drop your hard-earned cash. You know the saying: “You can’t do it all.” So, let’s take a look at what to consider when making your executive decision:
The Line Up!
It should go without saying, but you may be surprised that not everyone recognizes that music is the priority. It doesn’t matter how epic a venue, how convenient a location and ideal a date, you’re simply not going to go to a bluegrass festival if you’re really into techno. It may seem obvious, but this is worth recognizing: The reason you are going to a music festival is to enjoy the music. That is the bottom line, and yet so easy to forget when there are so many distractions and friends and crazy-boozy nights during the festival itself. Again, music is the priority! You are going there to see live music!
It’s vital to arrive with the end game in mind, and that is music. You may love yucking it up around the campfire with your friends, filling up on awesome foodstuffs and staying up all night; but you can do that without the whopping big-ticket, early-bird-if-you’re-on-it entry price. Seriously, if music isn’t your end game, then by all means email a few friends and pick a date for a weekend at a state park. Boom. Done. But that’s not the Fest Life, now is it?
The Date
You know that online virtual reality game called Second Life? We’ve never played it, but some friends have. One friend decided to make her avatar have a really, really big booty! That fake world may seem crazy and perhaps psychologically unstable, but running around with fairy wings and glitter? Totally OK.
Nonetheless, just like that virtual reality game, you have to juggle the Fest Life with real life. That means when picking a festival to attend, it’s vital to weigh family, professional and all other obligations. Don’t make festing some excuse for not being a good father or co-worker or whatever. Plan ahead when scheduling this extreme fun in your life — chances are you’ll have to ask off work and save up vacation days. And by all means, use every one of those vacation days!
If you have kids, you’ll have to plan for them. Few festivals are truly kid-friendly. Maybe the squirts can have a week with your ‘rents. Many festivals are during the summer holidays anyway.
Speaking of sultry summers, the date of festivals also determines the temperature of the weekend. Are you cool with cold? Think about it. I, for one, am not. Otherwise I would have gone to the now-defunked (see what I did there?) funk odyssey that was the Bear Creek festival every November in northern Florida. We called it Brrr Creek. The calendar is an important part of real life you must consider when you fall into the fantastically fun spiral of music festivals!
Location, Location, Location!
Just like buying real estate, this is a major element of the magic of music festivals. Recently, organizers created a fest in a very rural, small town at the top of a large lake in the middle of Florida. Think cow fields on low-lying, easily flooded land next to a huge lake filled with alligators and swarming with mosquitoes. If it rains, as it often does in Florida, this would not be an ideal location. A mountaintop on the outskirts of Asheville, N.C. with sponge-y, green grass and a chilly, fresh lake WITHOUT alligators? Yes, please.
Now, if you live 20 minutes from this rural town and hours from Asheville, your reaction may be very different. That’s because location also determines logistics. How will you be arriving at said festival? It might have the most epic line-up on the one weekend you’re completely free from all obligations, but if it’s in Timbuktu, you’re probably not going. Although, can you make it happen? Think about it!
Don’t be intimidated by festivals that are far away. You can get a flight and some cheap camping gear that you can also probably return after you use it at Wal-Mart. Grab a couple gallons of water and get your rental car right to the spot just in time for the most awesome performance by your favorite band ever. But of course, life is made so much easier if you can pack up at home and drive there with your home crew of buddies.
Check with the Crew
Speaking of those fun-loving buds, consultation with your friends is the next step. I’ve attended music festivals with a variety of lovers and friends. I’ve also gone to fests by my lonesome, and news flash: It is not lonesome at all! In fact, I highly recommend attending a music festival by yourself. You may find that you are your very own best friend — plus you won’t have to put up with anyone else’s bullshit. When’s the last time you didn’t have to do that?
Considering these elements should make it a little easier to figure out which of the many amazing festivals you should hit up this summer. And once you do, buy that ticket, baby — there’s nothing quite like experiencing that ticket high after you click the “buy” button. Unless, of course, it’s the fest itself.
