While I might not be an expert, I certainly learned a few things from experience while enjoying the shows at Lollapalooza. If you're heading out to a music festival soon (I wish I could go to
Austin City Limits in September!), or if you're planning ahead for next year, check out these tips to help you get the best of the fest.
Tickets & Passes
This year, out of our group of four, two of us had passes, and two of us had tickets. Passes typically last the span of the festival's operating days, and allow one to exit & reenter the park. Tickets are usually only for one day, and often do not allow for reentry. If the shows you want to see are far between, sitting around in the blistering heat of the park when you could be ducking into an air-conditioned shop or mall outside the venue for an hour or two may help you decide whether you want tickets or a pass.
Another tip:
buy tickets early. Availability may also determine whether you get a pass or single-day tickets. Most major music festivals have early-bird specials that can save you money on passes. Try to start looking into your ticket purchases at least four months prior to the festival.
Long Day's Night: Booking the Hotel
Now that you've got your tickets, it's time to book the hotel. When we booked our hotel for Lolla, we wanted to save on cash, since we knew we'd only be there to sleep. While the hotel covered our basic necessities, it didn't cover much else. Here's a few things to consider when trying to decide where to stay:
- Location-- How far is the hotel from the venue? How far are you willing to commute? We drove about 40 minutes into the city each day for the show, but if we could've stayed closer and taken public transport, we probably would have.
- Amenities--Do you want to have a refrigerator or a microwave in your room? We didn't have either, since it would cost extra to have them. Most hotels have a microwave that is accessible for hotel guests, but it might be good to get the fridge for the room, even if it does cost a bit extra. That way, you can keep all of the water you need during the day cold at night. In our case, the ice machine in the hotel was broken, and that made it hard to fill the coolers we brought!
- Read the online customer reviews of the hotel-- for a more candid idea of how things really work in the hotel in terms of service, food, quality, etc. For example, the most prominent customer review of our hotel in Chicago read: SMELLY HOTEL-Y. This became the joke of our trip, but the hotel actually didn't have a horrific odor like we expected. However, the other reviews that suggested that the service could have been better were accurate. It would explain why they ran out of plastic-ware during the breakfast buffet that ran out of food when only ten people were there.
Getting There
If you're driving to the Festival like I did, definitely invest in a GPS if you don't already have one. Most GPS' offer features beyond driving maps, and allow you to navigate around toll-routes to help save you money and can also show you the quickest routes or most gas-efficient. We also used our GPS for walking around the city (some GPS allow you to set them for walking and biking routes as well.)
If you (or someone else) decide to drive, save all gas receipts. It's easier to add all of the receipts up at the end and divide the total equally by the number of passengers when trying to figure out who owes what.
One the same note,
keep a record of who owes what money in a notebook, or on a computer spreadsheet, or whatever works best for you. It keeps everyone honest, and is more accurate and efficient than trying to remember that so-and-so owes you $3.50 for the starburst you got them at the last toll plaza.
If the trip is longer than 18 hours in the car, just fly (if it's an option for you, you lucky dog!). Your legs and back will thank you. Just be sure to book your public transport in advance if you can to ensure everything gets done.
Packing
Much of this will be common sense, however, it seems that common sense is rather uncommon these days. Here's a few things you should definitely consider packing:
For the outdoor venue:
- bring a back pack with comfortable straps. You'll need it for carrying your things while inside the venue. Most venues will have a size restriction on the bag, so check that out beforehand on the venue's website. However, most standard (school) sized backpacks are acceptable.
- Gallons of Aloe. Gallons. & Sunscreen. Loads of that too.
- Athletic/workout clothes. You dress for success at work. You're going to see successful musicians, so all you have to do is dress for comfort, 'cause at 1:30 in the afternoon in 100 degree weather, that's all that's gonna matter.
- extra socks. Nobody likes wet socks. Nobody.
- Rain boots. If it rains the morning of/ during the show, the area in front of the stage will be a mud pit. But you'll be the perfectly prepared person wearing the rain boots, and you can stand there and smile smugly at the silly people in their ruined shoes.
- Garbage bags to line your backpack. In case you don't have a poncho, lining your backpack will help protect your stuff ( or you) from inclement weather.
- Toilet paper & hand sanitizer- just trust me on this one.
For the indoor venue:
Much of this can work for regular concerts/shows as well.
- thick shoes. By thick, I mean if some big biker guy accidentally steps on your foot while you're being tossed around in a mosh pit, it's not gonna break it. Don't wear sandals, flip flops, or anything else that leaves your little piggies vulnerable. Sneakers are usually your best bet.
- Dress comfortably. If you know you're going to be moshing, don't wear your best ensemble. Likewise, if you know you will not be moshing, wear something comfortable for being crammed in standing room only with 500 people. Unless you can go to the bar, in which case, wear whatever you want.
- Condense your stuff. Ladies, I know we're all about the ginormous purses, but unless you're trying to get your stuff snatched, slim it down to just a wallet, or a wristlet.
Know Thy Venue
You've got the tickets, booked the hotel, and packed your stuff. The only thing you have to do after counting down the months, weeks, and finally days are to get out there! While you're killing time in the mode-of transportation-of-your-choosing, study up on the venue's maps, policies, and activities. Besides shows, most venues have contests and giveaways planned by their sponsors, and the details are usually included on the venue's website. Know what sort of things will get you in trouble at the venue (obviously don't bring your pet alligator and Desert Eagle, leave those at home, please.) For example, most venues do not allow cameras with detachable lenses. I'm really into photography, so much of what I do involves cameras that have detachable lenses. Check with the venue to see if media/press passes are available. Be prepared to show I.D.
Purchasing Merch
Your favorite band rocked their set, and you want to show them some love by buying their ridiculously cool (and ridiculously overpriced) t-shirt. Here's a few tips for getting the show souvenir that lets people know you were there.
For anyone buying merch: after the show, about a million people rush the merch table, so if you can buy your merch before the show. Also, know what you want and have your method of payment ready. People are going to get testy if they have to wait while you stammer "uhh, maybe, I think...where's my wallet?"
Ladies:
I am so sorry to say this, but when it comes to concert shirts, we get ripped the buck off. You're in line thinking, "well, I usually wear a medium, so I'll just get that," and the shirt you get looks something like this:
 |
| *to scale. |
"What is this?! A baby shirt?!" you cry in outrage. & That's when the guy working the merch table looks like he wants to bite your head off.
Tips: American Apparel is not your friend. Unless you are naturally very thin, and may or may not disappear when you turn sideways. If you can
buy the same printed shirt in men's sizes, do it, because it will fit better, and you will be happier with your purchase (and yourself) because you won't have to squeeze into a baby shirt.
Unisex shirts also tend to run more true to size, and fit better.
If you absolutely refuse to buy a men's t-shirt due to print/style/what have you, buy your women's sized t-shirt one to two sizes
larger than you usually wear.
Tip: If you know you will need to see multiple sizes of the same shirt,
ask for all of the sizes you need when the merch person takes your order. It will save you both time, and keep the crowds from eating you alive.
If all else fails, buy a poster. Take it home, get it framed. T-shirts fade. Posters are forever.
Food, Glorious Food
Once you're settled in the venue and know the lay of the land, you might be feeling a little hungry, especially if you traveled through the night and arrived at the venue an hour before it opens, like my friends and I did. My cousin was with us, and she is vegetarian. One thing about huge festivals: the bigger the festival, the more variety in the food choices. Lollapalooza had something for everyone in our group, and we were more than satisfied with the choices. If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, be sure to look into it before the festival.
M. V. P. (Most Valuable Piece...of Information)
Don't let little things ruin the entire day/ trip for you. Enjoy the shows, and the people you're seeing them with. Make memories, see that band you're not sure about, try new food. Talk to other people at the shows. Be open minded. Most importantly though, have a blast! You traveled far and paid lots of hard-earned cash from that part-time job at the local mall, so you deserve to have the best music-venture possible!
Peace, Love, Good Music, & Enjoy your Next Adventure!
-- L.V.
