Exactly one year ago, I was in Coachella Valley, sweating and jumping to my favorite artists with some of my closest friends for an entire weekend. I’ve been reminiscing about those few days recently, vividly remembering the thrill that came with running from stage to stage and the adrenaline rush I’d get when a set would finally begin. But, while this weekend was incredible, it came with an exceptional number of challenges inherent to large music festivals such as Coachella. The lack of sleep, constant dehydration and scheduling issues are just some of the common problems that arise at these kinds of events. As an experienced festival-goer, I feel obligated to share some of the tips that have kept me sane throughout my musical journey, so here’s a list of my favorite tricks.
1. Overhydration is a myth.
If there is one piece of advice you take from this article, let it be to prioritize hydration. Water cures all — from dizziness to heat exhaustion — and it’s nothing short of your best friend during long, hot days spent overwhelmed in sweaty crowds. Bringing your own is ideal (because drink prices at festivals are dystopian), but then again, emptying your wallet is better than passing out at your favorite artist’s set.
2. Establish a meeting spot early.
There’s no way to avoid getting lost at large festivals, especially in the beginning when every stage and food stand looks the same as the last. Groups split up and suddenly the next few hours are lost in desperate attempts to reconnect. Cell phone reception is merely an illusion at these events, but landmarks are permanent. Looking stupid standing next to the “inflatable farm animal display” is objectively less distressing than running around the grounds in anxious tears.
3. Make peace with the bathroom situation (or lack thereof).
Relying on Porta Potties is a humbling, even degrading experience, but it is an inevitable aspect of the festival environment. The best thing you can do is to carry disposable hand-wipes around with you and to never, ever look into the hole. Even well-known, long-established events like Coachella struggle to maintain Porta Potty integrity. I would know — I ran through a mysteriously brown river on my way back to my campsite.
4. Pack a survival kit.
Bringing a small bag or overstuffing your pockets is only annoying when you’re trying to take Instagram photos. In other words, you’ll never regret the earplugs, gum and portable charger in your conveniently located fanny pack. Stay prepared!
5. Make friends (with caution).
Festival-goers are either the best or worst people you’ve ever met, but either way they’re destined to provide a unique story to bring home with you. I’ve found that dedicated ravers are a good group to ally with — they’re always open to sharing water, making extra space for you in the crowd or trading colorful trinkets as you wait for an artist to arrive. Just make sure to stay far away from the afterparty the middle-aged man invited you to during Sabrina Carpenter’s set.
Festival season is here, and it’s important to stay aware and prepared during these long weekends. You’ll go in optimistic and come out wrecked, but somehow mere days later you’ll be making plans for the next one. May your phone battery and friendships survive these trying adventures.
Mia Roman-Wilson is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at mromanwilson@cornellsun.com.
