This upcoming weekend, I have the privilege of going to Chicago for a Halloween music festival called "Freaky Deaky" with my wonderful boyfriend. It has well-known headliners, including Bassnectar, 2 Chainz, Pretty Lights and Big Gigantic, all neatly compacted into a three-day party. Music festivals are a mini weekend vacation full of positive energy, awesome music, strange people and organic dancing. There is absolutely no judgment, crying or complaining at music festivals.
1. The Music
Obviously the number one reason is the music. Music has the power to unite thousands of people together simultaneously. With an entire crowd all feeling connected to the music, there is a sense of togetherness with people you don't even know. It is a feeling of belonging all while listening to your favorite artist jam out.
2. The People
People from all over the world travel to and from music festivals. You get to encounter so many different faces, nationalities, and cultures, but the soul of music consolidates everybody there. Everyone there has a passion for music.
3. The Art
Everywhere you turn you will see amazing artwork. Last May, I went to Hangout Music and Arts Festival in Gulf Shores and I saw human statues made out of wood, a huge inflatable octopus, and incredible light shows. Art's definition can be totally individualized, what I may think is art other people might think is just a random object, but that's the beauty of it. All the people at the music festival may see one thing and interpret it a totally different way.
4. Traditions
Friend groups that go to festivals together, stay together. Not only do you spend around 72 hours with whoever you went with, it is all positive vibes from those people. I promise, the first time you and your buddies go to a festival, you will become hooked. After a few years of going to the same festival, you begin to feel obligated to go. Your loyalty becomes sown together with the festival of your choice. For the rest of my life, I will be going to Hangout Music Festival. It has become a tradition for me. Even within the festival there are traditions. I force my boyfriend every time we go to a festival to take me on the Ferris wheel and we kiss at the top, every time. Yes, I did use the word force but nonetheless, it's tradition.
5. The Style
Fair disclaimer to those who have never been to a music festivals: you will see hella booty. People wear nipple tassels, long flowy pants, crop tops, bathing suits, dresses, cute sun hats, banana costumes and the list is endless. You could wear a trash bag and people would high five you. Nobody cares what you wear because everyone is too high off the music.
6. No Phones
Let's be real. Millennials are addicted to their phones. I know for sure that I am. If I'm away from my phone for 30 minutes, I become very anxious. We need a little break from technology every now and again--it's healthy. So when I go to festivals, my phone remains off. It is so refreshing not to have responsibilities to contact anyone for that weekend because everyone you need to talk to is right there jamming out with you.
I would recommend that everyone experience a music festival at least once. It is a weekend full of laughter, music and adventure. I know this weekend is going to be a memorable time, a time I will be able to tell my children all about. The ticket may be costly, but the memories are priceless.
