Here's What You Need To Know Before Going To Bonnaroo
After a year without music festivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you are likely itching to get back to the concert setting. Live music is returning, thankfully, and many big music festivals are just around the corner. If you are looking for the perfect music festival, you've likely looked into Bonnaroo.
Bonnaroo is a music festival in Manchester, Tennessee. The four-night festival allows fans to camp out on the property and enjoy the experience in a unique way, per the Bonnaroo website. This year's lineup of performers is impressive, too. Where else can you catch bands like Foo Fighters and Tame Impala perform alongside artists such as Megan Thee Stallion and Lizzo. This year's festival runs from September 2nd through the 5th.
While the festival is an exciting experience for music fans, the concept of camping out at a four-day music festival can be a bit overwhelming. According to Consequence, being prepared is the best way to have a positive and stress-free Bonnaroo experience.
Bring the right gear
When attending Bonnaroo, pack as if you were leaving for a four-night camping trip, according to Tripping. You will need a tent to sleep in, of course, but also be sure to bring tarps for shade. Temperatures can reach 80 degrees before 8 a.m., per Consequence, so having a tarp to hang over your campsite will help keep the beating sun out during the hot summer days. Dehydration goes hand-in-hand with the sweltering summer heat, so be sure to bring lots of water to keep hydrated.
Festival veterans recommend bringing extra rolls of toilet paper. While the festival has restrooms for you to use, a four-night camping extravaganza can lead to a lack of toilet paper available. Having your own on hand in case of emergencies is never a bad idea!
Finally, Consequence recommends bringing a flashlight and replacement batteries to find your way around the dark campsite at night. While your cell phone may be equipped with a flashlight of its own, long days at a festival often equates to a drained iPhone battery. It's always a good idea to bring a flashlight to ensure you'll never get lost in the dark. Of course, a backpack to put all of these things in would be a great idea.
Make sure to rest
A four-night music festival may sound hectic, and according to Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine, it can be. Making sure you are rested and hydrated can be a sure-fire way to avoid the first aid tent. There seems to be downtime during the long days around 6 a.m.-11 a.m. Take that time to rest up. If you need a rest but don't want to make the trek back to your tent, there are spaces around the festival to rest and recollect yourself. If you find yourself overheating, there is a large fountain for you to cool off in. The fountain also works great as a makeshift shower because according to the magazine, public showers cost $7 dollars!
Trendy festival outfits are a highlight of these events for most of its patrons. However, Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine recommends ditching the fancy footwear for a pair of galoshes. The festival is likely to get muddy, so plastic boots seem to be the shoe of choice for Bonnaroo veterans.
Make a game plan in case you get lost
If you are attending Bonnaroo, you are likely planning to enjoy the event with a big group of friends. Losing your way from your group or campsite can be a common occurrence at such a large event. Festival veterans recommend setting up a plan in case you find yourself or someone in your group missing. Forming a game plan can be fairly simple. Plan to meet at landmarks throughout the festival in case something goes wrong. You can't always rely on cell phone service or a fully charged battery. Picking an easy-to-find spot as a meetup ground is key, according to Consequence.
The same goes for finding your way back to your campsite. Even if you are traveling back with your group, finding your way in the sea of people and tents can be difficult. AL Magazine recommends making note of the landmarks and other visual cues you notice on your walk from your campsite to the festival grounds. This will help you find your way back in the dark.
Overall, Bonnaroo will be a great time! However, it is important to bring the right equipment, take time to rest, and form a game plan in case something goes wrong in order to have the best time possible.