RefinedHype’s Music Festival Survival Guide

With South By Southwest right around the corner and other music festival’s only weeks away, it’s safe to say that music festival season is well under way. Although attending a music festival can be an extremely enjoyable experience, it can also go terribly wrong if you aren’t prepared. To help you prepare for whatever music festival you may be attending this year RefinedHype has compiled a list of tips that will help you make the most of your experience.

Where To Go: South By Southwest (Austin, TX), A3C Hip Hop Festival (Atlanta, GA), Bonnaroo Music Festival (Manchester, TN), Miami Winter Music Conference (Miami Beach, FL), Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival (Brooklyn, NY), Paid Dues Independent Hip Hop Festival (San Bernadino, CA), Coachella (Indio, CA), Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL).

Prepare Early: It might be a little too late for this tip, but if you’ve still got a month or so before your festival of choice begins save yourself a lot of stress by booking your flight and/or hotels now. Also, be sure to purchase your festival passes as soon as possible because some passes do sell out depending on the festival venue.

Follow The Rules: Most festivals ask that its attendee’s follow a list or rules and regulations to be allowed and remain on festival ground. These rules can be anything from not bringing in food to leaving your dog at home. Sneaking in that bag of Cheeto’s may have seemed like a good idea until it gets you denied at the gate.

Pack Light: Let’s face it, if you’re gonna be standing around for hours then there’s absolutely no reason for you to be lugging around a backpack full of unnecessary items. Trust me, your back will thank you later.

Take Advantage Of Discount Travel: For those who are traveling out of state to attend this year’s music festivals be sure to check out discount travel sites like Orbitz.com and Travelocity.com for great travel deals.

Money Running Low?: So you’ve dished out hundred of dollars on a hotel and airfare and now you’re finding yourself a little hard up for cash when it comes to buying your festival pass. During the bigger festivals, like South By Southwest, a number of venues hold parties and shows that are open to people without festival passes and are sometimes free.

Network: If you’re a musician, writer, photographer, producer, etc. then these music festivals can also serve as the perfect setting for networking. You never know what new venture’s may come out of your recent connections.

Keep Hydrated: Most music festivals take place outdoors when the sun is usually at its strongest so be sure to keep your body hydrated with plenty of water and/or sports drinks.