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7 Reasons to Attend a Music Festival in 2017

 

Festival Season is upon us. Thank the good Lord because I was going crazy not being in a drug-induced coma for half the year. Glad the sober life is over! Ha, just kidding Mom.

Music Festivals have gotten a bad rap in the past few years, with drug-related deaths, violence, pollution, etc. Yes, these things have happened but don’t let that 10 % of dumb asses ruin it for everyone else okay? Music Festivals are a way of expressing ourselves in more ways than one. They bring people from around the world together to enjoy a weekend of music, dancing and socializing. I have heard stories about how these events have literally changed people’s lives. Their outlook on life, on the world, on politics…see?? There is always something positive that comes from every negative review.

I happen to really love music festivals and get upset when I can’t go to every single one! My wallet is always like, “calm the fuck down”.  2017 is the start of a new and exciting year, so let’s see my top 7 reasons for attending a music festival, shall we??

 Allows your imagination to flow freely


This goes for anything and everything at a festival. Get those creative juices, flowin’ girlfriend, because this is the perfect opportunity to do so! One of my absolute favorite thing about going to festivals (music related or not) is that you can openly express yourself! Whether it be through the way you dance, the way you style your hair, the clothes/costumes you wear. The possibilities to let your weirdness shine is ENDLESS! It’s so much fun to come up with different outfit ideas, body art or even totems.

edc orlando

fancy as fuck

The creativity doesn’t have to stop there. I mean, not saying I suggest you go to a festival, ingest 4 tabs of acid and have an in depth conversation with a tree…but in the right environment, psychedelic drugs can help you overcome hardships going on in your life. I’ve watched documentaries on these things…or maybe I just saw it on Worldstar, either way, it has to be true. Everything on the internet is true.

 Teaches you survival skills


We aren’t talking how to catch, kill and skin livestock here. Simply, a way to survive in a new environment without the comforts of home. I have had my fair share of “camping” festivals and let’s just say I fucking hate love it. It really is a love/hate relationship. I already don’t take a shower on a regular basis so what’re a few extra days right? Nothing like spending an entire weekend with all your smelly friends. During the day you sweat your ass off from dancing, and at night you freeze to death because you thought 50 degrees “wasn’t that cold”.

tomorrow world

Regardless, the music festivals that allow you to camp can teach you a thing or two about preparedness and surviving a long weekend out in the wilderness. You are sure to come home a certified survival badass with plenty of badges of pride!

 You learn to appreciate different music styles and genres


Go to the same festivals, see the same artists. BORING. WTF are you even there for? This is the time to open your ears and embrace all types of music. I remember going to Tomorrow World a couple of years ago. Instead of waiting around to see a DJ we knew, we started exploring early…hopping from stage to stage. Once we lost interest in one, we jumped to another. You end up hearing sounds you’ve never heard and it might just blow your mind. I hate hardstyle, and still hate hardstyle, but I experienced the intensity of being at a hardstyle stage and I’ll never forget that feeling (probably because some fucked up girl head butted me while flailing her arms) but I’ll save that story for a rainy day.

hardstyle stage
Who knows, you might end up liking new things. You might meet people you normally wouldn’t meet by actually going out of your comfort zone and trying new sounds! It’s worth a shot. Sometimes I can be ratchet at a trap stage, get in my feelings at a trance stage, be serenaded by a beautiful woman at an indie stage and even headbang at the rock stage. I’m not strictly talking EDM festivals, I’m talking alllllll music festivals. Music brings people together and it’s amazing.

austin city limits

Restores your faith in humanity


The world isn’t all bad. Not all people suck. There are some beautiful souls still floating around here somewhere. Usually, you find a lot of them at music festivals. I have seen some of the most kind-hearted, friendliest people lend a helping hand during these chaotic weekends. Some may say, “well it’s the drugs talking” and maybe it is, but not all the time. I think people are genuinely happier being around people who aren’t so judgmental and quite frankly, just like everyone around them.

indians

People will offer you food, will take you in as part of their own group if you get lost. They will help you back to your tent safely or even invite you to party at theirs. They will trade secrets, beads, and bracelets with you. A laugh, a cry or even a moment in time. It really restores my faith in humanity to see strangers helping strangers. Always make sure to BE one of these people as well. If you see someone struggling, help!

The art-talent-and innovations


Have you seen some of the art at these things? The crazy installations, the body paint, the graffiti, the costumes, the vocals? The people who preform on stage, their artists. They spend hours producing sets, perfecting pitches and crafting an entire show for your viewing pleasure! That takes skill. I can hardly draw a damn stick figure on a piece of paper, so I admire the shit out of any artist.

art

Other than the people on stage, and the masterminds behind the music festivals themselves, you have regular humans doing incredible things. Places festivals like Burning Man, Coachella and EDC to name a few are known for their over the top production! The art at some of these things is remarkable. Moving art, progressive and abstract art. HUMAN ART. It’s insane. I don’t know how else to describe it but really fucking cool.

body art

If you want the entire experience a music festival brings, check out the talent of others.

You make new friends and connect with old


Friendship is VERY important to me. We don’t have to talk all the time for me to know your loyalty. Trust me, I’ll know. Music festivals rekindle that old flame of friendships and sparks a new one. I have some life long friends (from good AND bad experiences) because of festivals. They bring you closer to the people you know and allows you to branch out to make friends you didn’t know.

friends

At Shaky Beats last year, I reconnected with old college friends for a weekend of mayhem. On the flip side, I started out the weekend with new friends I had made at a random bar a couple of weeks before. New people introduce you to their group, and their group introduces you to an even bigger crowd. Before you know it, half the damn festival is your friend!

no new friends

You also find out which friends you want to kick to the curb for being too freakin’ needy by reading up on my Why You Should Have a Festie Bestie post 🙂

Creates a unified atmosphere


Music is a universal language spoken by everyone during these events. It’s mind-boggling that 50,000-90,000 people can all of a sudden become family under the electric sky. The entire atmosphere from start to finish is sure to make you miss these strangers after the weekend is over. Unity and togetherness play an important roll in these communities, I mean shit, the world could learn a thing or two from them.

unity

Some might say, what does this have to do with traveling? I go to concerts/festivals in Atlanta, but to me, it’s still part of exploring. Whether you are making a 30-minute drive to your local stadium or a cross country journey, this is what traveling is all about. Those experiences, feelings, emotions, friendships, etc. Music festivals to me are one of the best forms of travel because of all the good that comes from them.

Seeing a new city with some hostel roommates, yeah that’s fun. Bar hopping with your significant other in an exotic location, yup also really fun. But being able to exchange all of those emotions with a shit ton of people in a new environment, listening to awesome music and dancing until your feet fall off? Priceless. 

stage

Have you been to a music festival before? What are your reasons to attend one in 2017? BTW angels, I have a surprise…

I was on my friend’s podcast for the 3rd time! No not 3 different episodes, we just couldn’t get our shit together on the first two so we did a 3rd. At @onthebuspodcast I gave all my dirty little secrets to them! The truths about traveling, my love for bacon, and an uncensored conversation about life…including music festivals! Check it out on iTunes! 🙂

ON THE BUS PODCAST

Until next time my sweet little unicorns…

xo Bonvoyage Babes

  1. Couldn’t agree more with this list! Music festivals are amazing and I really wish I had the chance to go more often. Really need to check Coachella off my bucket list!

  2. Livi Bee says:

    I really enjoyed reading this post!!! You are hilarious!!! Love your unadulterated truth. Music festivals are the number 1 reason I look forward to summer!!! I’ve been to a few here in Florida. I definitely have to make it to Coachella one year. There was a list I came across a while ago that piqued my interest. It listed music festivals around the US! My schedule is pretty tight this summer, but I have to attend at least one music festival this year, regardless of where it is.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Thanks angel haha I am so happy you enjoyed it!! I am dying to go to Coachella too! I use to live in Orlando so I went to a lot in Florida. There are so many on the East Coast you should try to attend one for sure! xo

  3. Joanna says:

    You are so right! I have been to a few festivals when I was younger and I used to love it. Now, due to adulthood if I can call it like this, I don’t have the time to spare for a festival. I would love to go to Glastonbury and experience the whole festival culture with overnight sleeping in a tent. Maybe one day, who knows.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Yeah the whole camping thing isn’t really my cup of tea but it’s a fun experience! You could even go to a festival for a day! A lot of my friends do that!

  4. Nadine says:

    Haha love it!!! Restores your faith in humanity 👌🏽 Totally agree with you 😊 Which are your favourite music festivals???

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      My favorite would have to be EDC for an EDM concert and Austin City Limits for an all over musical experience! ANd you?

  5. Pascale says:

    Lovely post! Love music and festivals. I’m from Belgium, so I kind of grew up with them. Memories for life guaranteed!

  6. Torgeir says:

    Who needs a reason to go to a music festival anyway. They are awesome, that is reason enough. I always try to at least visit one festival a year and have been to festivals in France, Japan and Australia. I wonder where I will go this year 🙂

  7. Paulina says:

    Wow that are some really good reasons! 😉 i am a big fan of reason nr 1 but i hate nr 2 hahahaha. Now i really want to go to a music festival. Cant wait!

  8. Roving Jay says:

    I love the “all in it together” philosophy of a shared experience. The last event I went to was in Turkey, and even though we didn’t speak the language, there was still a level of camaraderie at the event. The music was great, but the people we met were memorable. @rovingjay

  9. You’re fucking awesome, girl!! I love your writing style!! I’ve never been much of a fan of music festivals, but you’ve just made me reconsider that! Maybe I’ll add one to my travels in the future!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      YAYYY thanks muffin! I just tell it like it is 😉 Its hard to find a music festival that is all around great in every way but once you do its amazing!! Go to another one soon!!

  10. Wow! That looks like a great experience. We are country music fans, so not a lot of this type of festival for us. We do enjoy concerts, and especially outdoor ones.

  11. Jewels says:

    I went to the Bush Fire festival in Swaziland and it was such an AMAZING experience. It was my first time camping. And you are right about it restoring faith in humanity. So many random people offer me food. It was great!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      No wayyyyy I haven’t even heard of that!! Will totally look into it. Glad you had an awesome experience!

  12. Music festivals are really great, I agree with you completely. I like the point you made about appreciating all genres and types of music. And that kind of attitude works with nearly everything in life, including travel. Wonderful post.

  13. Suruchi says:

    I agree so much with your list. Music festivals recharge you up as well as it is the time when you can show, wear whatever you wanna do. It is a good time to make new friends as well as catch up with the oldies too. I need to check up the list and dates of music festivals happening in India.

  14. blair villanueva says:

    What a good read for music festival! Perfect for all the music festival goers this summer. Oh I wish I could do this, but I know I wont survive, haha.

  15. The appeal for me would be that they are home to People from all over the World in one place. Truly UNIQUE.

  16. Rhiannon says:

    I’m kind of embarrassed to say I’ve never been to a music festival! Not because I don’t want to go, but because the dates of those accessible to me have either been inconvenient or there hasn’t been anyone performing who I’d really like to see.
    I really would love to go to one one day though, and your list here only encourages that!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      OMG no way!!! Never?? Wow, well hopefully I have inspired you to pay close attention to dates and get your ass to one soon! 😉

  17. I’m a huge fan of music, and I’ve been to a few music festivals but, for me, it largely depends on which music festival it is. I think some have just been overhyped and over-commercialised, which has sort of left a bad taste in my mouth. That being said, there are some amazing small festivals which do things right. Thanks for sharing this post!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      YES!! I remember when some festivals I went to were small and now they are insanly over crowded and commercialized not focusing on the music! I guess we gotta keep chasing the small ones!

  18. I love pretty much everything about this article! Music festivals are brilliant (to be fair I’ve only been to a few) but you’re right, you do end up being friends with everyone and the sense of community is something you don’t find everywhere.
    I also think your writing style is so refreshing! So nice to see some full, dirty honesty!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Thanks pumpkin! I write it how I see it 😉 The sense of community is amazing!! I wish more people went to them so they could witness it for themselves.

  19. Brilliant post and you are right, off late Music festivals have had a bad rep particularly because they come across less and less about music and more about getting drunk or high. Things are changing through and I love how to break down all the positives about attending a festival. Appreciating different genres of music is a big one for me as is about finding new friends and having faith in humanity. Cheers

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Yeah some get bad wraps…that’s why there is no more Tomorrow World in Atlanta 🙁 but things are shaping up! Hopefully things will get better and people will get smarter!

  20. divsi says:

    Totally agree. It is a cultural bowl and you end up meeting so many people with similar interests:) There isn’t a universal language like music, no matter where you are from! 🙂

  21. Clare says:

    I have never been to a music festival. I just didn’t like the thought of camping in the rain and being cold for a weekend and having to use terrible toilets. I think the solution might be to find one outside of the UK and then it might be so much more fun.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      I can only imagine that the UK is not ideal for camping festivals haha. A lot of festivals here in the US don’t even allow camping so maybe try to find one of those!

  22. Mimi & Mitch says:

    Great list – love attending festivals too – mostly the music ones yassss! Would love to go to Coachella, never around that corner of the planet at that time so never got the time too!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Yeah same here, I always wanna go but seems it falls during important events that I have to attend instead boo!

  23. I would love to go all music festivals haha! They are so amazing and incredible! I love that you learn survival skills there 😉

  24. Jackie Taylor says:

    I’ve always wanted to go to a musical festival in Europe, so I loved reading this post! It seems like it would be such a fun experience! Hopefully I will be able to go to one either this summer, or next! 😀

  25. looks like you had fun. Getting together with friends and doing stuff like this creates the best memories.

  26. I love music festivals! I have only been to Lollapalooza in Chicago but had a great time!

  27. Sherianne says:

    I’m old. I’ve been to festivals but it was things like Farm Aid and Ozzyfest. So, as you can see, even in the ‘old days’ festivals exposed you to different types of music. But I got to shower daily. €£#%* sweating and not showering!

  28. Shelby says:

    When I was younger I would have been all over this. It’s not that I’m old. I have friends older than me that DJ, but kids, a job, and life have a way of making these things, well. I can’t see me there these days. Live it up girlfriend. You only lives once!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Thanks doll, I understand the pressures of life get to you but maybe bust out of that shell for a weekend! No one is too old for a music festival and never let anyone tell you otherwise! <3

  29. Esse D says:

    I’m laughing at number 2, but I could definitely see that being true. I’ve actually NEVER been to a music festival, but I absolutely LOVE music and have what I consider to be pretty eclectic taste. I always said I wanted to go to Coachella, but I just dropped it on my bucket list and never pushed the issue. This actually makes me want to revisit that list and maybe make something happen.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      NEVER??? What are you waiting for haha? I agree Coachella is definitely an all in one festival that I am dying to go to! Yeah survival skills you definitely learn at a festival!

  30. Kyntra Strickland says:

    I have never been to a music festival, but you gave me 7 reasons to! Such a great post; thank you for sharing your awesome experience 😊

  31. Great reasons for sure. Just that I usually prefer a trip somewhere a bit more relaxed. I have probably never learned what a real festival is, but I still would prefer a camping out in the woods compared to at a camping festival. It all comes to what we are looking for. 🙂

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Yeah I love regular camping too but sometimes its nice to just relax and listen to good music while you are camping!

  32. Music festival are so beautiful and funny!
    A nice way to meet new people and enjoying music!

  33. Music Festival really rocks. There’s a lot of reason why I love Music Festival and hopefully, I can still attend some of it once again.

  34. Taty Pradilla says:

    I went to a music festival a few years ago and it was so much fun! I need to plan another one soon.

  35. I haven’t been to any yet but Burning man and Tomorrowland are on my list. Hopefully will get to do them soon. Like you said, music is an universal language and I would love to experience the spirit of a music festivel at least once in my lifetime.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      I wanna do both of those as well!! I did Tomorrow World here in Atlanta but it only went 3 years and stopped 🙁

  36. Melissa says:

    Definitely agree with your list, I love how it brings everyone together! Plus, it’s great to expand the kind of music I usually listen to and find new artists I like. One question for you–where do you find all of your festival outfits??? They’re so much fun!!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Thanks pumpkin! I honestly browse Pinterest religiously…then I see some peoples outfits and try to snowball off of those. I don’t copy but figure out how to make my own in a better way!!

  37. Sondra Barker says:

    This is a very interesting read. Well done.

  38. Suruchi says:

    The music festivals are always great outings . It helps me to try and explore new outfits, meet old and new buddies and have extraordinary fun. After reading this post, I really need to figure out the upcoming music festivals happening in India.

  39. FS Page says:

    Love the innocent way in which you want to be part of music festivals this year. Your writing is successfully able to communicate your desperation to be part of more festivals and even inspire others to believe you. Your excitement is contagious.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Wow thank you! Means a lot. I hope you caught some of my contagiousness and will attend one this year!

  40. One of the things that I have in my Bucket list is to experience a full fledged music festivals. I want experience the beat of the drums pounding in my heart and the strings of the guitar electrifying the atmosphere while I become high on music overdose! These are some amazing suggestions to have a really rocking time.

  41. blair villanueva says:

    The last time I attended a music festival as a online influencer and instagrammer, it was so much fun experience but it was very tiring. I slept 12hours straight after.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      No way really? Damn, I would love to do that! Yeah I am usually dead for two days after, especially if its a camping festival.

  42. Love this – looks like so much fun! There are so many festivals in the UK and I’m planning to attend at least one this year. Dressing up for them is so much fun!

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      I have yet to go to one in the UK! I know I am going to Shaky Beats in May and can’t wait to make costumes for that.

  43. SindhuMurthy says:

    Woow.. So much glamor and colors. Music festivals seem to be the most happening places. Love the idea about costumes. with crowd as such who do not judge you, you definitely can be what you want to be. I would definitely love to experience a music festival first hand.

  44. Ana Ojha says:

    I totally agree with you that music festivals are great ways to make new friends and meet with old friends. This year, I didn’t attend any music festival yet but got a chance to attend Fifth Harmony and Jon Bellion concerts!

  45. Shaheen Khan says:

    I have never been to a music festival and hadn’t a clue about what it must be like. So this was a great eye opener…. Lol, yes ppl like me exist….. Cooped up in my homely nest….. Sounds like loads of fun and a picnic that lasts for days😊

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      Don’t worry there are a lot of people who haven’t! If you have the means and the time you should try one out!

  46. neha says:

    I have never attended a music festival. Nor have I camped before. And I want to try both of these. As you called out, the wonderful atmosphere, the humanity, the introduction to different genre of music. These are reason enough for me to be excited to attend one!

  47. We’ve both never been to a music festival before aside from LIMF which is a free music festival. They sound like they can be a lot of fun. We looked into Download, Reading, and Glastonbury when we were living in the UK but they were all hard to get tickets and or too expensive. Arctangent in Bristol is one I really want to go to. We’ll have to check what ones there is in Canada this year now that we are back.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      I’ve heard Glastonbury is insane I would love to go!! A lot of people have been saying that the UK isn’t the most ideal for camping festivals though because of weather haha but I would still love to go to one over there!! Wow, a free music festival? Awesome!

  48. Kristina says:

    Looks like you all had a lot of fun! Nothing about this really appeals personally, but I totally understand why people adore music festivals. They’re a bit too crazy for me, not sure I could deal with that many drunk extroverted people haha.

    • Tatum Skipper says:

      haha I can imagine if you are introverted or not into having drunk people act a fool everywhere why these wouldn’t seem appealing! You should try one though, maybe a one day festival!

  49. sophie says:

    I would love to visit few from these. Tomorrowland and UMF is on top of my list. those festivals are real madness. definitely have to visit once in a life time! glad to know that you have had visit so many great ones by far.

  50. Indrani says:

    I have attended musical events but never a musical festival.
    They do look fun with all kinds of costumes which is missing in events.
    You did teach me how to get involved and absorb a culture in such kind of festivals. 🙂

  51. I generally skip such crowded events but your reasons are compelling. Especially like the 5th point, such events do attract some of the most eccentric artists. I would not mind attending one that serves my kind of music and takes place in an exotic location rather than inside a big city.

  52. Kusum says:

    Absolutely, music is soul soothing! And any chance to be a part of these amazing music festivals is always welcome.

    xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

  53. I love music festivals – I go to two UK ones a year and treat them as part of my summer holidays. The mix of good friends, campfires and amazing music and dancing always puts me in a god mood, but I have had to learn some pretty good survival skills along the way haha!

  54. Ana Ojha says:

    I love music festivals and totally agree with all the points that you’ve mentioned! It is a different world where people are less judgemental and everyone is happy around!

  55. Jesse Grillo says:

    Ever make it out to Nevada? Fantastic post!

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