The Ultimate Music Festival Survival Guide

It’s that time of year again… festival season! Summer has long been the host of music festivals all over the world, and it’s not hard to understand why. With beautiful weather, and (less) responsibilities, summer is the perfect time to let down your hair and enjoy the music. Whether you’re a festival veteran or a novice, this article is a handy guide to all the things you’ll need to make your upcoming festival the time of your life.

Note: These are just for the music portion of the festivals, not camping essentials, which is another list entirely!

 

1. Water bottle

Really, a water bottle is just a general life essential, but when it comes to festivals, it’s an absolute necessity. Some festivals don’t allow you to carry in your own water bottles, but most will (dehydration is not conducive to fun times!) So check out your upcoming festival’s website to make sure.

 

2. A buddy

Festivals are the perfect place to go with friends! Seriously, it’s at least three days of hanging out, listening to music and meeting new people. You’ll make a lot of memories, so it’s a great idea to surround yourself with awesome people who will make the experience even better.

 

3. A camera

(Your cell phone will do!) You’re going to be there for the music, but that doesn’t mean you should leave the camera at home! Taking a few photos will help to preserve the memories forever.

 

4. Sunscreen

Some festivals won’t allow you to bring in aerosol containers, but good old liquid sunscreen is a must. Getting a harsh sunburn on your first day can seriously make the rest of the time miserable. So, lather up and thank yourself later.

 

5. A blanket or lawn chairs

Or a hammock, if they’re allowed. Obviously the items allowed inside the festival area vary depending on which you’re attending, but you’ll be doing a lot of walking, and having the option to sit during or between shows will make the experience so much better.

 

6. Wet wipes

Wherever you’re going, it’ll probably be hot outside. Wet wipes are the perfect way to refresh yourself and get rid of the grease and grime from a long day of hanging out listening to amazing music and working up a sweat while dancing! Bonus: perfect to use in case the port-a-potties run out of hand sanitizer.

 

7. A great attitude

Festivals are all about new experiences and enjoying your surroundings. It’s a time where you can forget about reality for a while, and just live in the moment. So let go of your worries and just have an amazing time!

 

8. And of course, musical accompaniment.

You’ll need a soundtrack both to prepare, and to reminisce about the awesomeness of your experience, and PlaylistHQ has you covered. You can make your own personalized playlist, or use one of the several pre-made festival playlists and enjoy whenever you want!

 Festival Playlists:

http://www.playlisthq.com/festivals/index.aspx

 -Kacey Rainone (PlaylistHQ Intern)

“Angry Mob” in a display jacuzzi at the Randolph Taste of Chicago’s show featuring the Kaiser Chiefs

Opening up with their hit “Everyday I Love You Less and Less” could have not been more ironic for the theme of the Kaiser Chiefs show on June 14^th at the Randolph Taste of Chicago. Through the diverse dynamic of the crowd, including the man in his mid fifties doing a constant power point at the lead singer of the Kaiser Chiefs, Ricky Wilson, the entire night and the bass player Simon Rix’s stone cold face radiating the epitome of cool, the crowd at the Kaiser Chief’s Randolph Taste of Chicago set, myself included, seemed to love the Kaiser Chiefs more and more after their phenomenal set. From the mosh pit breaking out in the middle of the Kaiser Chief’s fourth song in their twelve song set, Ricky Wilson fed off of the energy of the crowd. Thus resulting in skinny jean clad Ricky Wilson defying the restrictiveness that is often associated with skinny jeans by going into a series of aberrant dance moves. As Ruby, their eighth song of their set finished, Ricky Wilson took out his ear piece and started a sing along to their hit single Ruby, that finished in Ricky Wilson’s cry of glee of “you do remember us do you”.

 It had been two years since the last time the Kaiser Chief’s preformed in Chicago, and Ricky Wilson was determined to make sure the crowd at the Randolph Taste of Chicago would always remember the Kaiser Chiefs. Defying the restrictiveness of skinny jeans once again, Ricky Wilson fed off the energy of the crowd through “Angry Mob”, the eleventh song of the set by jumping off of the stage and climbing on top of a truck that was located to the right of the stage. Singing part of Angry Mob on the roof of the truck, Ricky Wilson had difficulty getting down from being on top of the truck. Resulting in Ricky Wilson’s decision to jump into a display jacuzzi to the inside the truck and finished the rest of “Angry Mob” from lounging in the display jacuzzi.

 The British band closed with the song “Oh My God”. At the end of the set Ricky Wilson had one request, which was that everyone in the audience as well as the members of the Kaiser Chief’s “stay friends forever. Best friends forever”. As the Kaiser Chief’s ran off the stage, Ricky Wilson yelled to the audience “we love you best friends”, and by going off the crowd’s refusal to leave while chanting one more song, it is safe to say that the crowd at the Randolph Taste of Chicago reciprocates Ricky Wilson’s love after the Kaiser Chief’s dynamic show.

 Author: Grace Farley – PlaylistHQ Intern

 Kaiser Chief’s Randolph Taste of Chicago Set List

 June 14^th 2014

 1 – Everyday I Love You Less and Less

2 – Modern Way

3 – Never Miss A Beat

4 – Little Shocks

5 – Less is More

6 – The Factory Gates

7 – Coming Home

8 – Ruby

9 – I Predict A Riot

10 – Misery Company

11 – The Angry Mob

12 – Oh My God

 

Firefly Music Festival Preview

Firefly Music Festival is right around the corner! It’s going to be four days of nonstop music, food, and fun, and I for one can’t wait. The lineup features tons of amazing artists, including Outkast, the Foo Fighters, and Imagine Dragons. The performances are staggered from June 19^th to the 22^nd, at various times, which is a relief because there are so many amazing acts, you’re going to want to see them all!

 Here are some of the acts I’m most excited to see live:

 

Outkast: They’re reunited from a seven-year hiatus and doing a festival tour to celebrate their 20^th anniversary, and from what I hear; they’ve still got it.

Catch Outkast’s performance on Saturday at the Main Stage @ 10:20

 

Foo Fighters: Wicked cool dudes, Dave Grohl’s voice, songs that make you want to jump up and sing along; who could ask for more?

Foo Fighters perform Friday at the Main Stage @ 9:45

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_L4Rixya64

 

Iron and Wine: Cannot wait to finally hear him perform live after listening to Our Endless Numbered Days an endless number of times.

He’ll be performing twice on Friday, first at the Main Stage @ 4:45 and again later at the Coffee House @ 7:30

 

Hunter Hunted: Found these guys recently through their YouTube channel, and let’s just say I’m already hooked.

They’ll be performing Friday, The Backyard @ 12:24

 

City & Colour: This is going to be my second time seeing Dallas Green perform live, and I’m just as excited this time around.

Catch him Sunday, at the Main stage @ 2

 

Imagine Dragons: I don’t know what else to say other than: YASSSSS!

Saturday, Main stage @ 7:15

 

AER: From Boston, MA, this duo has come up recently with their unique sound: “combining rap, reggae, pop and indie rock aesthetics to create their own brand of music.” (From their Facebook page)

Definitely worth catching their show Thursday, The Forest @ 6:45

           

Arctic Monkeys: Does anyone else have Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re

High stuck in their head? Just me? Okay.

Friday, the Main Stage @ 5:45

 

Third Eye Blind: Still so, so good.

Don’t be non-dairy creamer! Catch ‘em Saturday, the Main Stage @ 3:30

 

Childish Gambino: My friends are seething with jealousy over this one. “Childish Gambino is and has been changing the way we see hip hop.” ‘Nuff said.

Sunday, The Lawn @ 8:40

 

Weezer: WEEZER! That’s all.

Sunday, Main Stage @ 3:45

 

And a few others for good measure:

 

            Portugal. The Man: Friday, The Backyard @ 5:45

 

            Airborne Toxic Event: Friday, The Porch @ 5:45

 

            Young the Giant: Friday, The Backyard @ 8:15

 

            Phosphorescent: Thursday, The Backyard @ 9:45

 

            The Jezabels: Friday, The Forest @ 8:15

 

            Grouplove: Saturday, The Coffeehouse @ 8

 

On top of awesome music, Firefly boasts a huge selection of high quality cuisine and a craft beer bar. There is also an arcade, a customized Toms store, and an on-site farmers market. Seriously, is there anything this festival doesn’t have?

 Be sure to check out the Firefly Music Festival preview playlist, generated by PlaylistHQ:

 

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsEp8LmCW2YYaCF3WJE02aCGxB9w362iA

 

Features songs from every artist performing, to tide you over until June 19^th!

Who are you most excited to see at Firefly this year?

 

-Kacey Rainone (PlaylistHQ intern)