Hi everyone!

This past Labor Day Weekend, I attended my first ever festival! I went to Electric Zoo, an electronic music festival located in NYC at Randall’s Island Park. It was fun and amazing and I made memories worth a lifetime. However, seeing as this was my first festival, I made some rookie mistakes. Nothing major, but I thought I would share what I learned and what I would do differently for the next time I go to a festival.

1. The bathrooms aren’t that bad

I thought the port-a-potties were going to be raging pits of filth and excrement, but they actually weren’t that bad. Obviously I would have preferred to use a bathroom with flushable toilet, but the port-a-potties weren’t bad for what they were.

2. You don’t really need a locker

I got a charging locker because I thought we would need a place to charge our phones and a place to store our stuff, but we were fine without it. This may be due to the fact that we arrived late to the festival both days, but in the age of portable chargers, you probably won’t need a charging locker. Also, I had a fanny pack and my friend had a backpack, so we were fine carrying our stuff.

3. VIP is worth it….kinda

We got GA (general admission) tickets, but we were able to see the VIP viewing deck. It was a raised platform at the side and back of the main stage area. Buying a VIP ticket also means that you got expedited entry, a separate bathroom area with flushable toilets, and some other goodies. Tbh, being in the crowd seemed a lot more fun to me than being on the VIP deck, but everyone has their preferences. I’ll probably look into getting VIP tickets next year, if they’re a reasonable price. If not, I’m fine with a GA ticket. Which leads me to my next point…

4. Buy early bird

If you know you’re going to the festival, buy early! The tickets will be cheaper, and some festivals give early bird ticket buyers special offers. At E Zoo, early bird gets you expedited entry and a gift,

5. Stay hydrated

There was a moment during Armin van Buuren‘s set where I felt like I was going to faint in the middle of the crowd. I hadn’t had any water in hours and the crowd and music was overwhelming. I realize now that I was probably dehydrated. Make sure to drink water or a sports drink regularly, ESPECIALLY if you’ve been drinking.

6. Also, eat something

I only ate one meal at the festival, and I probably should have gotten more. Raving is tiring and you need to make sure you’re fueled up in order to have fun.

7. Be careful with drugs

Whether it’s right or wrong, drugs are a part of the EDM scene. Not everybody partakes, but you will probably see people doing drugs at some point during the festival. I’m not here to tell you guys what to do, but if you do decide to take something, it’s imperative that you stay hydrated, and if you start to feel ill in ANY way, make sure to go the First Aid tent. They won’t judge you.

8. Mud may happen, so be prepared

On Day 2, there was a massive rainstorm that left us wet and a little miserable. On Day 3, the skies were clear but the ground was soaked. There was mud everywhere, and we all slipped and slid around. Make sure to wear boots or sneakers to a festival, even if rain isn’t in the forecast.

9. There are other things to do

We all go to festivals for the music, but sometimes it’s nice check out the other things at the festival. E Zoo had a glitter bar, a live graffiti installation, and sculptures of animals to take pictures with. Some people chose to sit down on a hill overlooking the festival and just chill for a moment.

10. Have fun!

In the beginning I was so worried about my outfit and what the festival would be like and what would happen that I almost forgot that I was there to have fun (Damn you, anxiety!). Festivals are a place to let go and be in the moment so make sure to live up the weekend the best way you can.

A special thanks to everyone at Electric Zoo for being so fantastic and making my first festival one to remember.

Do you have any more questions about this festival, or any other ones? Comment below!

Xoxo,

Témi

Check out my other festival posts - Going to an EDM Festival? Here's Where to Shop & What To Wear (And Not Wear) During Festival Season