Each festival has its own set of rules that you must follow while on the grounds. Some are more lenient than others, and camping festivals have a much more detailed and involved set of do's and don't's than day festivals, but most are rooted in the same basic guidelines (guidelines that are usually clearly marked on each event’s website, and in the booklet/map/schedule given to each attendee upon arrival). You enter in a silent contract when you purchase your ticket, so be sure to follow the specific regulations mapped out.  Otherwise, you face the possibility of ejection without refund.  And there's no buzzkill greater than being publicly escorted out of a concert by security (or worse: the law).

There are some things they don’t tell you, however, so that’s where I come in. Follow these unspoken recommendations and your experience will be guaranteed to be top-notch.

First, here's my advice on what you should do to enhance your day/weekend at a music festival:

DO's

• STAY HYDRATED – This is EXTREMELY important. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to watch someone stumble/be carried to a medical tent because of poor water-drinking skills. Luckily many festivals these days have water filling stations scattered throughout the grounds, and you’re usually allowed to either bring an empty water bottle or backpack with a bladder (e.g., Camelbak) into the grounds, or sealed bottles of water (which you can then use for free refills).

• Choose a meeting spot – I cannot stress this enough. People want to see different shows, individual tastes cause parties to inevitably part ways at some point in the day, so there will be moments when the larger group will be divided, sometimes for extended periods. But for those bigger shows later on, chances are you’ll all want to be together again, so if you are planning to stay in the venue all day (especially for non-camping festivals), find some easy central landmark where everybody can reconvene. Cell phones are not always reliable at larger events (signal towers can get overloaded, batteries die, etc.), so choosing one ahead of time is a lot more effective than scrambling around near the stage waving your hands in the air by some beer tent.

• Make a plan – This goes hand-in-hand with the above tip, but also for your own sanity: try to plan out your day before heading out. It’s ok if plans change, but if you’re running around the grounds without any pre-conceived notions pertaining to what you want to experience, you’re just going to make yourself crazy.

• Have a buddy – It’s always nice to stick with someone throughout the day.  There’s no harm in being alone for a while (if you’re comfortable with that), but there is no shame in partnering up with somebody. Plus it makes the experience that much better if you have someone to share it with (also the possibility of inside jokes can always arise, and you never feel closer to someone than when you share something like that with them).

• Bring your own TP – Self-explanatory. Port-a-potties are nasty and are NEVER stocked with enough toilet paper. This goes for both camping and non- camping festivals, and you might want to also pack your own hand sanitizer or baby wipes as well.

• Clean up after yourself – Don’t make a mess, because ultimately someone else is going to have to clean it up, and picking up festival garbage is like wading through toxic waste. Throw your stuff in the proper bin (listen to the Trash Talkers!*), and if you’re at a camping festival and you’re a smoker, BRING AN ASHTRAY! You won’t believe how much of a difference it makes to those who are saddled with the unfortunate task of picking up all that garbage. [*Trash Talkers are volunteers that stand by the waste receptacles and tell you whether to put your rubbish in the trash (Landfill), recyclables, or compost bins.]

• Get to know your neighbors/make new friends – One of the crucial parts of the festival experience is the building of community, and that can’t be done unless you allow yourself to be open to building your own. You’ve already come this far in purchasing your ticket and making the journey, now get out there and get to know your fellow Festies. If you’re nervous about talking to new people, at least you have the comfort of knowing that you have at least one thing in common with the people around you – you’re both there to listen to music and to have an experience. And if you’re at the same show, and the person next to you is having as much fun as you are, then you know they share some mutual interest in that act. If you’re at a camping festival, get to know your neighbors! You’re basically stuck next to them for the next several days so take a chance and say “Hello!” Sometimes they will even give you free stuff, just for being nice (and if you’re REALLY lucky, you’ll be placed next to someone with a camping stove and a surplus of hamburger patties or pancake mix).

• Pack for the elements – I’ve been to summer festivals where it’s been 115° and 60°...in the same day. Rain can happen at any time. Nights get chilly. Pack for EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. If you don’t have a raincoat/umbrella, pick up some $1 ponchos at any big box store or sporting goods outlet.

• Be considerate – Don’t be an asshole. Need I say more?

• Go see the early bands – Sometimes the best acts are the ones in the tiny print all the way at the bottom of the lineup. These early shows often showcase the best of rising talent, and more often than not have jumped from the small print to headlining slots (e.g., Mumford & Sons, Beach House, Walk the Moon, etc.). These shows are often less attended than their later counterparts, meaning you can get closer to the action and possibly find your new favorite band!

• Record your experience – I’m not talking about standing at a show with your phone in the air the entire time (ugh, PLEASE don't be that guy). Write down setlists! Record funny things you hear people say! Take pictures! Anything to help you remember the experience later on down the road. Nobody is young forever...

• Take advantage of the festival’s non-musical aspects – A lot of events feature tons of amenities that are not necessarily music-related. Whether it’s a camping festival or a single day event, there’s always something to do if the music playing at that time isn’t your cup of tea. Check out some comedy, or the cinema tent. Hit up some midway games or the Slip N Slide or some equally enjoyable accouterment. A lot of festivals these days feature a wide array of food options ranging from food trucks to pop-ups set up by local gourmet restaurants. There’s often craft beer, or wine...even chocolate. See what’s available and do some exploring during those breaks between sets.

• Check your equipment before departing – This mostly pertains to camping festivals, but make sure you have all the stuff you need to set up your tent or canopy or whatever BEFORE you arrive on the grounds. One time I had to use a tarp as a canopy cover; it was too small for the frame and looked really shoddy (not that aesthetics are really that important at festivals). I’ve also bought a brand new tent on the way to Bonnaroo, and one of the poles was already broken when I took it out of the pouch. So take the five minutes or so to make sure everything is in order before heading out.

• Have an exit strategy – Sometimes things get crazy at large-scale events, and it can be daunting, especially for first-timers and/or if you choose to indulge in substance use. Always know there is a way out if you want to leave, just make sure that you plan ahead in the rare instance that you become overwhelmed.

• Have the best time! – Duh!

(GIF courtesy of bonnaroo.tumblr.com)

And now, the behavior you should AVOID engaging in on the festival grounds.

DON’T's

• Go overboard – Festivals are a lot of fun, and they give us a sense of freedom not often felt in everyday life, but that’s no reason to go completely ape-shit. When drinking, pace yourself; and if you elect to do drugs, make sure you’re among friends and have at least one sober person in the group to take charge should something go wrong. Moderation is key, and pacing yourself makes the whole experience a lot more enjoyable for everyone--and a lot more memorable for you (literally).   It’s a marathon, not a sprint!

• Lose the map/schedule – This is one of the number one boo-boos people make at festivals, often on the first day. The schedule/map/booklet is key when entering the festival grounds. It is usually free and a key resource. It tells the location of stages, water stations, beer tents, food areas, vendor booths, fun side attractions...plus it usually contains a blocked out schedule of every band on every stage. Most festivals these days have apps that have a map function, but since cell phones often die trying to retrieve data in areas that are overrun with users, they can’t always be counted on. It’s not a bad idea to take pictures of the map/schedule (or screenshots of the app) and then turn off cellular data to preserve phone battery life.

• Underestimate the power of the sun – It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, or if you’re one of those people who always says, “I don’t really burn, I just tan” – sorry, Snowflake.  Unless you are naturally blessed with beautiful, melanin-rich skin, you’re in for a world of pain if you’re not basting yourself in Banana Boat.  Yeah, maybe by the pool for a couple of hours you might be lucky enough to avoid getting burnt, but this ain’t tanning at the Hamptons.  If you are outside all day and it is sunny – and probably standing in a vast open area with little to no shade – you can count on the fact that your skin will most likely be exposed for long periods of time (hours!). Sunblock, sunglasses, hats, long sleeves...these are all good things to have on hand. If burns do happen, a little bottle of aloe is also handy, and a fairly inexpensive way to soothe those red skin blues.

• Overspend – Festivals are already expensive as it is, but they have no problem marking up the prices of food, beverages, merchandise, and other goods once you are stuck within the grounds (some have called it “commercial captivity”). Set a daily limit for yourself, whether you’re using petty cash or a credit card (a lot of festivals have Square readers at food and drink stands these days – some even have gone so far that you can use your RFID wristband as a line of credit of sorts that you prepay to fill). There are often ATMs on-site but should be avoided if at all possible – they will absolutely gouge you with ATM fees; do yourself a favor and hit up your bank before getting onto the grounds.

• Forget to eat – Another big no-no. Festivals are draining, due to the weather, the constant motion from place to place, and the freeing atmosphere can convince people that they are invincible...which can lead to trouble. Eat a hearty breakfast (not too heavy, you don’t want to fall asleep before 2 PM) and make sure to make some pit stops throughout the day to keep up your strength. Often there are corporate sponsors who will give out free treats (granola bars, trail mix, bottled smoothies), so take advantage of those when you see them; even you aren’t particularly peckish at that moment, you most likely will be later, and that free granola bar might be just what the doctor ordered.

• Turn your group of friends into a daisy chain – UGH I HATE WHEN PEOPLE DO THIS. Festivals are already crowded – and I understand you don’t want to lose your friends – but keep the hand-holding/arm-linking to a three-person minimum. The long chains of dozens of people trying to ford a veritable river of people will only piss everyone else off. This is where meeting points and easily recognizable accessories are especially helpful.

• Be insensitive – It seems to be a sign of the times that ignorant young people will find it particularly festive to adorn themselves in Native American headdresses or tasteless fluorescent sombreros or anything of the like. It’s not creative, it’s not cutting edge, it’s not endearing. It’s an exercise of privilege that does not belong in the festival environment. Chances are if it has nothing to do with your culture, it has some sort of significance to someone else, and you risk hurting them just so you can look cute at Coachella.

• Get too frustrated/anxious – This is a hard rule to dictate without being pedantic. I have struggled with anxiety my whole adult life and so I understand that this is a sensitive subject.  Festivals are crazy places with lots of people and lots going on. There is constant sensory stimulation, seemingly endless lines for bathrooms/food/beverages, and a plethora of loud inebriated people who are less than considerate. Schedules get moved around, acts cancel, there’s lots of walking...it’s not hard to get overwhelmed, especially if it’s your first rodeo. Just remember to breathe and to be patient.  The pros will outweigh the cons (trust me), and if you need to take a moment on the sidelines to collect yourself, no one is going to ridicule you. Take your time and go at your own pace, and if you need a moment away from the mayhem, go take a breather in a shady spot and have a drink or something sweet to eat.  And if it gets really bad, go see the folks at the medical tent -- they're there for a reason!

• Put yourself at risk – There are lots of ways to enjoy yourself at a festival, but there are also plenty of ways to get yourself into trouble. Bringing contraband into the grounds is risky (though not impossible), and if you do so be sure that it’s something legal (like booze or weed) and easily disposed of if discovered, not something dangerous that will get you ejected. Pace yourself so you don’t get too rowdy. Don’t buy drugs from strangers, especially in plain sight. Always have someone watching your back. Drink lots of fluids and make sure you don’t overdo it. Keep track of your stuff and maintain a low profile and you will be golden.

It's pretty simple, yes? Again, keep in mind that each event has its own specific guidelines that are always available on their website AND in the companion schedule/map/book/app available to each patron (and often posted on the grounds). Just be smart. Follow your gut, don’t do anything stupid, and enjoy yourself. That’s the key to your happiness at these events. It’s as simple as that.

***NOTE: This is mainly a guide to big outdoor events, but the basic elements are true for any festival or concert, whether its a small neighborhood event or a multi-day, city-wide, multi-venue affair.  Just keep your head about you, mind your manners, and use your head.  And remember: at a festival, hubris is your biggest enemy.  It's a marathon, not a sprint.

The Journey Continues Tomorrow ... Stay Tuned.