How to survive a rock festival
Lessons learned from nearly 20 years of rocking
This past weekend, I attended the Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival in Columbus. It’s a four-day whirlwind of just about every variety of rock and metal music featuring some of the biggest modern bands and touring acts on the planet as well as some of the best up-and-coming performers.
This year, I was particularly proud of myself. It was the first time I’ve attended a full four-day festival without having to skip half a day, miss a day entirely or leave early due to mental of physical exhaustion. I didn’t even miss one band that I wanted to see and was still dancing and jamming out to the final band (Slipknot) at 10:30 p.m. Sunday night.
So how did I pull it off? I learned from all the mistakes I’ve made over the years at previous rock shows and festivals, and hopefully some of what I’ve learned can help others who want to try the unique experience.
At 38 years old, I’ve been attending rock festivals since the first Rock on the Range (later rebranded Sonic Temple) in 2007, which was headlined by legendary band ZZ Top. The festival has grown every year, from one day in 2007 to four days in 2023.
If you still want to be jamming out at the end of the fourth day, here are some tools of the trade I’ve learned over the years.
Hydrate. This goes without saying, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t follow rule No. 1. Festival season is typically May to September, so it gets hot and humid out there. Nothing will end someone’s day at a rock show or festival faster than lack of fluids (and no, alcohol doesn’t count.) Hell, on day one of the festival this year, the medics had to be called three separate times for people who were passing out during the first band I saw at 1:30 p.m. on a Thursday. Festivals allow people to bring a bottle of water when they enter. Keep it with you! It’s literally your life blood. I probably refill mine seven or eight times at least throughout the day. At least hang on to it until the sun goes down. I also recommend a towel or bandana that you should keep soaked and around your neck.
Pace yourself. A huge rock festival like Sonic Temple contains over 40 hours of music for people who show up early each day and stay to the end. That’s a LOT of time to be standing, dancing, moshing and walking. Take advantage of windows between bands that maybe you’re not super excited about to take a load off, find some shade and get off your feet. Save your energy for those artists that you’re passionate about where you can really let loose. If you blow everything on day one or by refusing to take a break for six straight hours after arriving due to overexcitement, you’re going to regret not having enough left for the rest of the festival later on.
Wear comfy shoes. If you’re going to be on your feet for such an extended amount of time, it’s pretty damn important to be wearing shoes that will hold up for a full festival. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen someone in flip flops or girls in heels, knowing the pain they’re about to be in later on. It’s not worth it. Most of the time, those shoes end up getting spiked in the trash before the end of the day. Choose comfort over style every time at a festival. Your feet will thank you later.
There’s no such thing as too much sunscreen. One of the worst feelings you can experience at a festival is getting intense sunburn on day one and dreading what the next three days are going to be like, knowing you pretty much have to avoid any and all physical human contact the rest of the way without experiencing intense pain. Bring strong SPF sunscreen and apply it liberally. It’s a long day. And don’t skip out just because the sky may be overcast. Those are the trap days where you get burned the worst because you weren’t properly prepared.
Know what you’re getting into. The front row of a rock/metal show can be an incredible, lifechanging experience, but for those who aren’t prepared for it, it also can be a nightmare. Too many times I’ve seen girls crying leaving the front or begging security to pull them over the barrier because they just weren’t ready for how intense it can get up there. The front area isn’t just people standing around relaxing, it’s typically a competition of some of the most die-hard fans of that particular band. The physical pressure of human bodies can get crushing at the front. And don’t forget the steady assembly line of crowdsurfers that are streaming over your head, which keeps you looking backward to keep an eye out for them as much you are watching the band play. Sure, you’ve got a great view, but It’s hot, It’s sweaty and it’s gross. I’ve had situations where I was packed in so tightly I couldn’t lift my arms, which meant I just had to duck my head down, brace myself and just take it from the crowdsurfers that kept crashing on top of me.
Use the buddy system. Going solo to a festival is fine, but I highly recommend having a friend with you. They can help keep you accountable, ensuring your following rules No. 1-5. They also look out for you and you can look out for them. I’ve gone to festivals with friends every time and I highly recommend it. It never hurts to have someone watching your back.
So there you have it. Sure, there probably are other rules you can follow to ensure you have a good time, but those are my core tenants. Almost every time I’ve had to bail out early or had a bad experience, I broke one of those rules. Follow them and you’ll still be rocking out to the headlining act of day four like me. Rock on!
