Music festivals are some of the most entertaining events you can go to, but they can also be pretty overwhelming without the right knowledge of what to do and how to handle yourself. Here are 10 things you should do at an Australian music festival to make sure you have the best time possible while also making new friends and enjoying yourself as much as possible!
1) Go Outside Your Comfort Zone
Being around a bunch of people who feel like they’re in their element and you don’t can be super uncomfortable. That’s OK! It’s still worth it to go outside your comfort zone, as you never know what you might discover about yourself along the way. Take some deep breaths, think positive thoughts, and remember that everyone else feels just as out of place as you do. Go ahead, take a few risks and see where it takes you. You might surprise yourself—and make some lifelong friends along the way.
2) Dress Up
Everyone knows that rock stars are sexy, but you don’t have to be a rock star or dress like one to be attractive. The right costume can help you stand out in a crowd, find camaraderie with others (or friends), and express yourself. People will want pictures with you! just show up as yourself! Oh wait—you already did that? Awesome! You might get recognized anyway. That’s what I call an unexpected bonus. And who doesn’t love those?
3) Meet New People
One favorite thing why we love music festivals is that we get to meet other people who have a passion for something similar. It’s really exciting, even if you don’t know anyone else in your group, because you all know that you are all there for a common purpose. The next day, when someone randomly introduces themselves to you, remembering your names and talking about something specific from last night makes it so much easier!
Even better, if someone asks what you do for a living or where you’re from and it sparks an idea for a new connection or collaboration down the road. Wherever you go, you should make sure to introduce yourself first so that you can remember as many names as possible!
4) Wear Sunscreen
Whether you’re catching some rays or getting under a UV tent, don’t forget your sunscreen! Most festivals occur during summer and many include outdoor stages. That means skin damage from ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a real concern.
It’s always a good idea to wear sunscreen regularly even if you don’t plan on spending any time outdoors, but it’s extra important when hitting up an outdoor music festival during peak hours of sunlight. You might also want to bring along a hat and sunglasses if you expect harsh sunlight while watching outdoor performances.
5) Bring your Raincoat Cause the Fun Never Stops
If you’re heading down under for your first Aussie music festival, one thing that might surprise you is how common rain is. You will get wet and it’s best not to forget your raincoat! The good news is that most Aussie music festivals are a blast regardless of what kind of weather is on offer. Rain often creates a great atmosphere as people huddle around their tents waiting for another round of tunes or go off in search of more drinks.
6) Dance Like No One Is Watching
No matter how old you are, there’s a little bit of child left in all of us. So why not embrace it? Go out and get weird. The music festival is one place where inhibitions should be thrown out of your mind; do what makes you happy and don’t be afraid to look stupid while doing it. And who knows, your moves may even inspire someone else to shake their groove thing.
7) Enjoy the Bands and Music
If you’re going to a music festival, it’s obvious that you’re there for the music and not just partying. This can be a challenge when you have nothing in common with your fellow attendees. To make sure that doesn’t happen, find something unique about each band that you want to see and then learn more about them before their set.
If you aren’t familiar with any of the bands, use Google or some other search engine; I’m sure Wikipedia has some information on every band! You can also explore Spotify or another streaming service for recommendations based on what your friends like. (See #1.) Whatever your method of discovery is, know who’s performing and be excited about seeing them!
8) Try Something New & Be Adventurous
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a real thing, but it’s also kind of dumb. That’s why we recommend you break out of your comfort zone and try new things throughout your time at any music festival – especially in unfamiliar environments, surrounded by people you don’t know that well. Push yourself outside your comfort zone, even if just for a few hours each day; have fun! Festivals are probably one of THE most adventurous places on earth!
9) Never Forget: Always Cashless
Most festivals take cards, but it’s best to be cashless so you don’t get caught short. Get a pre-paid EFTPOS card and load it up before you go (most banks do free shipping). When you’re not on your phone, make sure there’s a wallet full of money somewhere in your bag for buying food, drink,s, and merch.
10) Most Important Have Fun!
A music festival is supposed to be fun. So, go ahead and have a drink or two. You’re on vacation after all. And, if you’re at one of Australia’s most popular music festivals, you can probably count on there being plenty of food options that are both cheap and delicious (good luck with trying not to eat too much).
Try to make time for activities that allow you to get away from it all, like watching films under the stars or swimming in natural pools. If it rains, just remember that it probably rains almost every day during most Australian summers! Also, camping out next to a bonfire will help keep you warm and give you something else to do besides drinking. Just make sure you don’t burn your tent down!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are so many things to do when it comes to music festivals. The vibe is positive and happy, and people are here just for pure enjoyment! With Australia’s infamous weather in mind, you might as well make sure that your festival wardrobe has a good range of clothing options. We hope these top ten tips help you enjoy your first experience at an Australian music festival! Please share with your friends if they’re looking forward to going!
