The 2018 festival season has just kicked off and a multitude of new festivals are popping up far and wide, but how do festival goers make the choice between two festivals with almost the exact same lineup?
One word — activities! The things to do between artist sets are now becoming the determining factor of whether or not a festival is worth going to. In this article, we are going to dive into what activities are being offered at bigger festivals, and whether or not music festivals are still really about the music. Shout out to Brie, one of the RaverRafting writers, for the inspo.
Yoga
Yoga is becoming a staple at music festivals. Okeechobee has Yogachobee, Coachella offers Yoga and Pilates, Bonnaroo has Yoga-Roo, Electric Forest has the Brainery Workshop — we could go on and on. Festivals are flying famous yoga instructors to their event to provide yoga classes for different levels and different styles of Yoga. This activity is certainly helping festival goers avoid the drag that comes after 3 days of non-stop moving, by slowing down and focusing on the inward self instead of the outward surroundings.
Arts
Music is art in every sense of the word, but what about other forms of art? A number of festivals are now being classified as Music + Arts Festivals, which is a bit redundant, but you can see where they are coming from. Festivals are now bringing in different artists to create murals, art pieces, and larger-than-life installations to commemorate the festival itself, and also to give recognition to the truly unique talent out there.
Craft Beer
Music festivals get people from towns and cities all over the world, and in each of these towns, not only is there unique people but there is unique beer. A number of festivals are bringing in craft breweries from all over for their attendees to sample. A number of breweries sponsor festivals, but to bring in different hometown craft beer brings a new edge to the same old domestic cans we are used to having in our hands.
Salons
Yes, you read that right. A number of festivals, especially those with camp grounds, are offering salons for attendees. Sponsored by a number of hygiene products, these salons offer clean hair, braids, and even different products for sale just in case you left yours at home. Garnier has been spotted at Bonnaroo, there is a beauty bar at Coachella, and BedHead took over a hotel for Lollapalooza last year.
Food
Last but not least, the food. Festival food can be hit or miss depending on where you go but spotting those go to places can be life or death in the eyes of some. Everyone has got to eat right? Festivals are now competing to have the best food trucks and the best stands to keep attendees happy. Pizza, donuts, vegan and gluten free options, tacos, noodles, and coffee bars are all must-haves in the land of festivals and will keep you on par with the rest.
Now with all of the activity options being highlighted, we go back to the original question — are music festivals still about the music? In short, yes, sure these extras are a nice added bonus and can help you decide whether or not to go to one festival over another, but in the long run it’s about the music. It’s about standing next to your group of friends, or maybe your significant other, and hearing your favorite EDM artist drop their new track, or maybe hearing a band you grew up with play your favorite song. No matter what, it always has been and always will be about the music.
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