I don’t care what the Roman calendar or whatever says, it’s June, school is out, and summer is officially here. Governor’s Ball really helped kick off summer this past weekend and festival season is just getting started. To really conquer a 3-4 day festival from beginning to end without missing a beat can be very difficult for a rookie not knowing what they’re getting themselves into. So I’ve made a list of items to make sure you bring during your quest down to Bonnaroo this weekend, Firefly the following weekend, or wherever your festival travels may be taking you this summer.
A Buddy – Because you’ll need someone to back you up when you tell everyone you were there for that amazing performance that only happened at the festival you were at. You’ll also need someone to bring you back down to earth after whatever you ingested took you into another world. It happens.
Show Buddies!
Bloody Mary Mix – Because when you were up until 5am drinking, dancing your face off, and doing God knows what else in the silent disco tiki tent the night before and you have to wake up to see your favorite band at noon the next day, you’re going to need one potent breakfast of champions to get your up and at ‘em again. A potent, spicy, bloody Mary should shock the life right back into you, and if not, have another one.
Bloody Mary Mixes
Condoms – Because none of us were born yesterday. Better safe than sorry!
Just in case…
Cookies & Goldfish Crackers – Because the food situation is always a tricky one with camping festivals. What does one bring? Bread and peanut butter? Something to keep in a cooler? Bulk size of something? To be honest you’ll be able to get all kinds of food via vendors throughout the day if need be, so keep your provided food source somewhat small and simple. When you’ve had a bunch of beer and whatever else you plan on taking during your festival stay, cookies and goldfish are a great simple snack at your campsite that will keep your engine going until the next meal.
fishies
Your favorite band shirt – Sadly fashion has become such an important factor of things to decide when packing for a festival. Bring your favorite band’s shirt that you still have from the first concert you saw them at your freshman year of high school and wear it proud. Who knows, you may just meet the future Mr. or Mrs., as they may also be wearing that Jane’s Addiction 1998 tour shirt as well. *Spoiler alert, I’ll be in my 2004 Aerosmith Tour Shirt. Find me and call me out on it and I’ll buy you a beer!
Tour t-shirt
DUBS Acoustic Filter Ear Buds – Ear protection is key. As most of you don’t know, taking in 100dB of sound nonstop for 3-4 straight days will do to your ears what all of Steven Adler’s heroin intake has done to Steven Adler. I suggest protecting your ears. Invest in some DUBS Acoustic Filter Ear Buds. They’re about as legit as it comes with high quality hearing protection with drowning out ambient noise and picking up strictly the sound waves your ears need to really enjoy listening.
DUBS
Sun block – No one wants look like a lobster only the second day into the festival. Not to mention good luck trying to sleep in a fucking tent in 90 degree heat after you’re whole body has just been roasted. Unless you’ve got perfect Colombian skin like yours truly, you really should make sure to put some sweat/water proof sunblock on before heading out the tent door. You’ll thank me later.
Don’t be that guy
Shades – The number one summer time accessory has to be the sunglasses. It’s important to pick your pair for the festival carefully, as you don’t want to bring your nicest and most expensive pair, but you don’t want the super cheap kind handed to you on the street with the Nesquick logo on the side. My suggestion, pick an affordable, yet stylish brand like DIFF Eyewear. They’ve got great choices for dudes and chicks and wont cost you more than $50 for a great pair all festival season long. You need some protection for those wandering eyes after all.
Don’t forget the shades
Bathing suit – There is nothing sexier than someone rocking a bikini top with a pair of jeans or a cool pair of board shorts when it’s hot and the sun is out all day. You never know when you might get covered in water, so pick out that favorite bikini top and those favorite pair of stylist trunks, or speedo’s if you dare to be awesome and soak up some sun while dancing all day!
Very nice!
Phone charger – As anti cell phone as I may be, a fully charged phone is a must need or emergencies, keeping up to schedule with your festival app, and Instagramming pics of your drunken self in the disco tent. Most festivals have some kind of interactive cell phone charging station. My advice though, keep you cell phone turned off unless need be. Your real experience is all around you, not inside some silly piece of plastic that’s killing your sperm count being kept in your pocket all day.
Must have
Article: Tommy Shackleford
