I got to experience the Hangout fest for the first time this year. Let me tell you, it was truly amazing. There were ups and downs, but my closest friends and I actually made it. In the end, I came out with great memories and amazing new bands to obsess over. I am no expert to music festivals, but here are some of the stages we went through.
1) The night before
This is the time period, where you can't eat, sleep, or breathe without thinking "I am actually doing this. Tomorrow I will be in the glory land." I spent the night with my friends the night before we left for Hangout. Even though the next day we had a to drive for 7 hours, we stayed up till 3 a.m.
2) Arriving
This is the moment where you are about to walk through the festival gates. There will be tons of "Holy crap, GUYS... We made it" and "We. Are. Here" moments. While saying these sentences, people will dance, sing along to the music, and lots and lots of jumping around.
3) The first band
Nine times out of ten, you have no idea who this person is, if you do, you know like one song. That doesn't matter though. That person steals your heart. You think you may even cry. You've waiting so long to get to the festival and just want to live in the moment.
You've been there long enough to be hungry, so you start to look around. You look at all of the prices and realize you would rather spend 80 dollars on a t-shirt and starve than spend 9 dollars on a lemonade.
5) You see a band that makes your heart explode, and you aren't even sure you remember their name correctly.
This is the turning moment of the whole festival. Your heart is jumping out of your chest and this is the first time you have ever heard their music. Why haven't you been listening to them for years?! *cough cough The Neighborhood*
6) "I don't want to move, I'm sweating more than I ever have before and my legs won't respond even if I wanted them to."
This pretty much explains itself. You would just like to give up. Also, if one more sweaty body brushes up against you, you will knock them out.
7) The disaster
In my case, I got my phone stolen. Maybe you sprained your ankle, lost your wallet, or disagreed with your friend on who you should go to next and got into a fight. No worries, you will feel better after you eat and listen to a good band.
8) You finally get to see the band you really came for.
I saw Florence and the Machine and cried for hours. She made my heart soar and I will never forget her performance.
9) Going home...
The ride home is sad... Until someone starts playing music from the festival.
10) Two weeks later, you feel the need to cry and throw a fit.
Why can't we go back?!??
