Advice on attending a musical festival

Summer is approaching and it’s the advent of the music festival season. Festivals like Coachella, Nocturnal Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza are coming, and that’s not even hitting the tip of the iceberg. But with all the excitement, there also comes your typical festival advice encouraging all you attendees to stay hydrated, get there early and to wear sunscreen. However, all that advice couldn’t even begin to prepare you for one of the most annoying aspects of music festivals: the people. Don’t get us wrong, we are all there to have a good time and people making fools out of themselves can definitely account for a good laugh. Just don’t annoy everyone else while doing so. With that being said, UWeekly is here to instill some festival etiquette for all you festival-goers.

If you fare on the heavier side

Please don’t take your shirt off. No one is going to enjoy the show while you’re flailing your drenched shirt in the air while grinding your sweaty body amongst all the other people. We may sound blunt but it’s only because we are speaking for the people that are unlucky enough to be standing next to you. Yet, if you insist on taking your shirt off because of the unbearable heat, at least invest in some nice deodorant.

Even if you’re not overweight, still plan to invest in some long-lasting deodorant. No one likes smelly people whether you’re overweight or thin.

Don’t get super wasted

Look, we all know everyone is going to do there fair share of drugs and alcohol. It’s inevitable. People get trashed and, chances are, you will too. But there are some people that go to the extremes and begin to streak and run around just to rouse attention. Not only are you making a fool out of yourself, but you are also running the risk of getting kicked out of the festival, and no one wants that. Just don’t be extremely raucous and annoying to everyone around you while getting wasted.

Don’t be constantly on your phone

Please don’t be those annoying people who are constantly on their phone updating their Facebook or Twitter statuses informing everyone every five seconds that a new band is on or you just heard your favorite song. There are two problems with this. First, you come off as a dick that is constantly bragging about the badass time you’re having while everyone else is sitting on their couch streaming the show on YouTube. Second, no one is going to care what you’re saying either. So instead of wasting your time updating your previous status, put your phone away and actually enjoy the festival.

If you really like this one song

Please don’t request it, especially if it’s their newest single that they are bound to play later on in their set. And don’t insist on screaming the request during the small breaks between songs. Not only do you come off as that guy who is labeled as “Oh he’s not a true fan,” but also as that annoying dude who just won’t shut up. We understand everyone gets excited, so an occasional “Woo!” and consistent chanting of lyrics are expected. But even when you request a song, the band is not going to take a break within their set to appease you. Seriously, if you’re requesting a song, you might as well be that loser who requests “Freebird.”

Unwarranted crowd-surfing

Is it even possible to crowd-surf to artists like Bon Iver, The Shins, and Feist? Look, crowd-surfing can be fun and we’ve all done it. If you hear Death Grips or At The Drive In, by all means, crowd-surf and start mosh pits all you want. Just don’t crowd-surf to songs that you don’t necessarily need to do so for. You’ll just end up pissing off that guy you kicked in the face and hurting your back once you fall back to the ground.

Don’t be boring

Despite our advice, don’t be quick to label us as judgmental hipsters. We know that everyone is going to have a good time, which often involves doing stupid things. Nothing can be more annoying than the typical sore losers telling everyone to calm down and relax or that guy who was clearly dragged along by their friends. At any music festival there are going to be people jumping up and down, chanting lyrics, and dancing. So if they are clearly not trying to bother you and are just having a great time, let them be. Don’t be an ass and ruin people’s fun. If you are, just stay at home.

Alex Ramirez