It’s no shock that music festivals have become a staple of our generation. We are often lauded as [a generation that sees experiences as more worthwhile and focuses on being happy rather than rich.](http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?/sites/blakemorgan/2015/06/01/nownershipnoproblem-nowners-millennials-value-experiences-over-ownership/&toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2015/06/01/nownershipnoproblem-nowners-millennials-value-experiences-over-ownership/&refURL=&referrer=#28e2f8c61759) In theory, a music festival is the essence of what millennials are about: an experience shared by a huge amount of people that celebrates culture and expression. As with anything, those who attend music festivals aren’t always people who embody those lofty ideas. Some people are simply assholes, and there’s no way around it. You, however, can take steps to make sure you and others can enjoy the festival to its fullest.
####Prepare
Whether you’re attending one day of a festival or pushing through a multi-day fest, preparation is key. Besides the obvious steps to take — packing a bag, getting your pass, having transportation — there’s finer points to festival prep. Making sure you stay hydrated and fed throughout the day is key, especially during summer festivals. Veteran festival goers will attest to plotting out your daily schedule beforehand. Many festivals now release stage lineups and set times well in advance, so you can minimize day-of craziness once you get to the festival.
####Be in the moment
This topic is of hot debate among people in festivals. On one hand, being able to post some “#humblebrags” all over social media can be insanely satisfying (and FOMO-inducing). On the other hand, spending the entire day taking videos and photos detracts from the entire experience of being at a festival with friends. A healthy medium can definitely be achieved, however. A few photos or a video of your favorite artist are great mementos of the time you spent at the festival, but don’t let your phone consume you the whole day (see last week’s graphic, “Is it cool to pull my phone out?”).
####Take some risks
Take this how you will, but music festivals are a great time to branch out from your comfort zone. Whether it’s as simple as trying a new outfit or listening to an artist you’ve never heard of, or as crazy as finding your favorite artist backstage or making out with a stranger, doing something totally new or unexpected could become one of your favorite memories. (Disclaimer: I don’t condone anything illegal or very dangerous. However, do what you want. It’s your life, anyways.)
####Don’t be an asshole
This is fairly self-explanatory, and it’s seemingly become a staple of this column. Most people tend to have some idea of common sense, but it may be lost on a few others. For those that need a refresher, it’s simple: Don’t do anything that would annoy, hurt or otherwise severely bother other people around you. If what you’re doing would piss you off if it were someone else, I’d say that’s a good indicator.
Music festivals are a great way to experience music, art and culture with a ton of people. Whether you roll through a music festival with a detailed plan and a huge group of people or attempt to tackle it in the moment with a few close friends, the cliche holds true: You get out what you put in. Do your best to live it up and have fun, but make sure that your fun isn’t ruining everyone else’s good time.
