For fans of live music, there are few things more enjoyable than music festivals. With two or three days (or more) of live music, fun, and frivolity, those who camp out for music festivals are a community all their own.
But while everyone wants a music festival guide that lists the band schedule of who is playing on which stage, first-timers often don’t put enough thought into more practical concerns—namely, the supplies they’ll need to camp out.
Not planning with the proper supplies for multiple days in what’s often an isolated area is a recipe for disaster. It won’t be convenient to leave the festival to go on supply runs for things you’ve forgotten. If you’re in a particularly isolated area, you might even find yourself far away from stores and supplies, forcing you to go without the essentials.
In addition, you’ll probably be traveling with at least a friend or two, and no one will thank you for having to pause the good times for a run to the store, so planning ahead is crucial. This can be your guide for all the music festival camping essentials you need.
Music Festivals: Three Days of Music and Good Times
Since the days of Woodstock, music festivals have been the ultimate live-music experience. A long list of bands, often across several genres, all playing in one location over the course of several days.
Some of today’s top music festivals include the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn., Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., and the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. Each festival draws tens of thousands of fans each year.
For concertgoers, it’s the equivalent of running a marathon, spending days listening to some of their favorite songs, rediscovering old acts, or learning about new, up-and-coming bands. And just like training for a marathon, festival attendees should take proper steps to prepare for their festival. But rather than running for months ahead of time, music festival preparation involves packing for the trip.
Preplanning: Where Do You Stay When Camping Out at Music Festivals?
This might seem like a silly question, but it’s pertinent. Some festival-goers have campers, fifth wheels, or RVs to stay in, while others simply pitch a tent. These are significantly different living environments, and you need to plan accordingly based on needs, space, and amenities.
If you’re staying at a campsite, is it primitive? If you bring a fan, will you be able to plug it in? Will you have access to running water for drinking, bathing, and toilet? Understanding the environment you’re going into is key for planning.
Make a List of Your Music Festival Essentials
In the weeks before the festival, create a list of items you’ll need for your trip. Some of them will be easy: clothes and socks, toiletries, food, and water. Others are easily forgotten, or maybe you don’t even know you need them.
Prepping can be easier said than done. When you’re packing, it can be very difficult to remember everything if you’re not a seasoned pro at attending music festivals.
The Music Festival Camp-Out Life Hacks:
First aid kit. There are hazards aplenty both at the festival and the campground, and you certainly want to keep cuts, scratches, and scrapes clean. Be sure the kit includes items like adhesive bandages, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, allergy medicine, a hand-activated cold pack, antiseptic wipes, ointments or sprays, tweezers, and nail clippers.
Solar shower bags/portable shower. A privacy shelter, like this one from Cleanwaste, allows you to shower when paired with a portable solar shower. If that isn’t all the comforts of home, at least you’ll have a chance to wash off some of the grime with privacy.
Battery-powered fan. You can’t put a price on keeping yourself cool, and you’ll need the battery-powered model if you won’t have electrical hookups.
Baby wipes and hand sanitizer. Keeping your hands clean is of vital importance, and can be surprisingly difficult when there aren’t sinks around.
Batteries. Lots of them. Bring extra, and be sure you have plenty in all the sizes you might need.
Portable chargers. Again, if you’ll be lacking electricity, keeping your phone charged is a must in case of emergency. Portable chargers will ensure you have plenty of juice.
Hydration pack/backpack. These are popular items at music festivals. It’s the kind of thing you may not know you need until you see festival veterans tooling around with a hands-free stockpile of water strapped to their backs.
Inflatable couch. Another item that’s increasingly popular, inflatable couches can be inexpensive and fun items to have while hanging around a campsite.
String lights/solar lights. String lights are great for setting ambience in the evenings, and being able to actually see your surroundings is pretty great too.
Cleanwaste PETT toilet with WAG Bags® and privacy shelter. Bathroom solutions may not be something on your mind as you plan, but it’s certainly something to think about. Cleanwaste has a host of bathroom options, but the PETT GO Anywhere Portable Toilet is portable and gives you the feel of a real toilet. Coupled with a privacy shelter and some WAG Bags® to safely and sanitarily dispose of the mess, and you’ll have a throne to sit upon when nature calls.
Of course, there are any number of other items you might want to bring along, and Cleanwaste has a host of products to make your music festival experience the best it can be. Take a look at our full line of products.
