Have you ever been to a concert featuring a single musician or a single group of musicians? Do you remember what it was like being pushed around in the mosh pit as your idols hopped around on stage, singing your favorite song? Now let’s do the math. Multiply that tiring, thrilling experience by 30 and voila, we have what we call a music festival. In a nutshell, music festivals are day-long concerts that concentrate on a single theme or genre. It’s good, sweaty, fun, and if you haven’t attended one, you are completely missing out on the music scene.
If you are totally clueless or you just want to learn more about the music fest scene, here are some popular examples of music festivals:
INDIE: Coachella and Wanderland
Hipsters wearing flower crowns, crop tops, and high waisted shorts drinking beer and taking photos using their polaroid cameras with the band playing in the background. That's the common notion of an indie music festival but there's way more to it than just that. Most of the bands that perform there are what the name suggests: indie. This means despite being unsigned or unpopular, these artists are pretty damn talented. This is the best place to lie down on the grass with your friends, relax, and listen to great music. I've yet to go to one of these music festivals but I can't wait to just lie down on the ground and go people-watching in between sets.
If you are totally clueless or you just want to learn more about the music fest scene, here are some popular examples of music festivals:
INDIE: Coachella and Wanderland
Hipsters wearing flower crowns, crop tops, and high waisted shorts drinking beer and taking photos using their polaroid cameras with the band playing in the background. That's the common notion of an indie music festival but there's way more to it than just that. Most of the bands that perform there are what the name suggests: indie. This means despite being unsigned or unpopular, these artists are pretty damn talented. This is the best place to lie down on the grass with your friends, relax, and listen to great music. I've yet to go to one of these music festivals but I can't wait to just lie down on the ground and go people-watching in between sets.
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ROCK: Bazooka Rocks, Warped Tour, and Reading and Leeds
The stereotypical idea of a punk or rock festival is pretty distorted. Goths and emos dressed in all black, moshing and crowd surfing to screamo bands… yikes. But unless you're living in some cliche teen 90's movie, that's not true at all. Sure, there are still screamo bands, mosh pits and people that like all black outfits *coughs pete wentz coughs* but that's not all rock concerts have to offer. In fact, I've left a handful of punk festivals with new friends, interesting stories to tell, and some guitar picks. Getting to jump, dance, sing along, and scream to a band that means a lot to you seems pretty fun (and not satanic) to me!
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MULTI-GENRE: Circuit Fest, 7107, and Lollapalooza
This one’s a wildcard. Since you’re expecting performers of different genres, expect fans of different genres. It’s quite amusing to see a bit of culture class between different “bandoms.” Just imagine all the Ellie Goulding fans fighting their way to the barricade as fans of Two Door Cinema Club, 2 Chainz, Lana Del Rey, and Vampire Weekend jump around and push them to and fro in the pit. Things could get messy, but as with any concert anyone will ever attend, it’s all part of the fun.
Circuitfest was pretty cool because when we attended it, it really felt like an authentic, mini Warped Tour. There were food booths, food trucks, lounging areas, and a half-pipe. It was a Disneyland park for punk rock fans, pop fans, skating fans, and well..... Mark Salling fans. If I were to describe it, I’d say it’s like a good buffet. A little bit of everything but just the right amount so as not to induce any vomiting or violent reactions.
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In a nutshell, we think that everyone should get the chance to come and have fun at a music festival. It’s a great way to meet new friends, discover new music, and see your favorite musicians in the flesh. There is no feeling quite similar to what you’d feel when you go to bed after a long day at a festival, with a ringing in your ears and a smile you can’t seem to erase.
- Victoria Urrutia & Nikki Alarilla
(All photos are from Facebook and Tumblr)
**BONUS CONCERT TIPS**:
Despite the differences these festivals may have, it's still important to remember that they're all still concerts with the same ground rules. The following include:
1. Etiquette: whether it's helping someone get up during a moshpit or not getting piss drunk at a Vampire Weekend set, never forget to be respectful of your surroundings. This doesn't just include looking out for your concert buddies; this also includes being nice to the fans beside you and taking care of the events ground you're in. To be honest, this is just common sense but sadly some people just need to be reminded…
2. In the bag: to me, packing for a concert is like packing for a camping trip. You have to make sure you have everything but you can't take it all. So just pack the essentials (extra money, phone, hanky, sharpie, a small journal, extra shirt, water bottle) in a drawstring bag and you're good to go.
3. Fangirl levels: calm down. It's understandable to scream your lungs out when your favorite band starts playing your favorite song. But it's a different story when you scream "you're so hot!" during one of their only emotional ballads. Also, we get that you'd love to hold the lead singer's hand however, shoving people to the front and restricting their breathing space is just plain rude.
4. Clothing: Unless Josh Groban is performing at the festival, it's ideal not to wear your 6 inch stilettos. Not only is it annoying to look at but it's also dangerous to you and the people around you!! The best options are skinny jeans (to avoid scrapes on your legs), sneakers (not slip-ons like Toms because trust me, I know people who have lost their Toms/flats at concerts) and any shirt you're comfortable moving in!
- Victoria Urrutia & Nikki Alarilla
(All photos are from Facebook and Tumblr)
**BONUS CONCERT TIPS**:
Despite the differences these festivals may have, it's still important to remember that they're all still concerts with the same ground rules. The following include:
1. Etiquette: whether it's helping someone get up during a moshpit or not getting piss drunk at a Vampire Weekend set, never forget to be respectful of your surroundings. This doesn't just include looking out for your concert buddies; this also includes being nice to the fans beside you and taking care of the events ground you're in. To be honest, this is just common sense but sadly some people just need to be reminded…
2. In the bag: to me, packing for a concert is like packing for a camping trip. You have to make sure you have everything but you can't take it all. So just pack the essentials (extra money, phone, hanky, sharpie, a small journal, extra shirt, water bottle) in a drawstring bag and you're good to go.
3. Fangirl levels: calm down. It's understandable to scream your lungs out when your favorite band starts playing your favorite song. But it's a different story when you scream "you're so hot!" during one of their only emotional ballads. Also, we get that you'd love to hold the lead singer's hand however, shoving people to the front and restricting their breathing space is just plain rude.
4. Clothing: Unless Josh Groban is performing at the festival, it's ideal not to wear your 6 inch stilettos. Not only is it annoying to look at but it's also dangerous to you and the people around you!! The best options are skinny jeans (to avoid scrapes on your legs), sneakers (not slip-ons like Toms because trust me, I know people who have lost their Toms/flats at concerts) and any shirt you're comfortable moving in!
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