Music festivals are finally back and we haven’t been more excited for anything else since we learned of the news. This year, we’ve seen the likes of Lollapalooza, Electric Zoo and more take center stage earlier this summer, but due to the emergence of the Delta variant (put your masks on, people), most of the world’s best music festivals had opted to take place post-regular music fest season in hopes that cases would die down a little bit.
Did that happen? Not necessarily. But are music festivals still happening from now throughout the rest of the fall season? Yeah, they are.
Because we are living in a world that looks VERY different than it did the last time we were attending music festivals, we are doing music festivals a little differently this year. Or, well, a lot differently. Not only are you going to need to bring the best tents for camping on festival grounds and the mightiest coolers to keep all of your refreshments chilled, but we’re even packing some things we’d never think we’d have to.
And we aren’t even only talking about COVID-19, either. A few weeks back, Bonarroo (one of the US’s most anticipated music festivals) was canceled citing massive flooding due to Hurricane Ida. So whether it’s a worldwide pandemic or intense weather-related issues, festival-goers need to keep safe more than ever before this year.
No matter which festival you’re headed to this year, read on and discover what you’re going to need to bring, from portable charging sources to cozy sweatshirts.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Card
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Image Licensed From Adobe First and foremost, the number one thing you’re going to want to bring to a music festival in 2021 is your vaccination card. A number of the most popular music festivals this year are requiring full vaccination or negative COVID-19 test upon entering the festival. Be sure to get tested or have your vaccination card handy at all times just in case!
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet for COVID-19 and are looking for a location to get the jab near you, click here to find a spot and get your dose today.
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Face Mask
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Ah, yes. The modern-day face mask. A staple to our society from now until the foreseeable future.
While the majority of the world’s most popular music festivals take place outside, face mask rules outdoors tend to differ from place to place. It’s best you keep a face mask in your pocket at all times just in case you need to throw one on. Or, better yet, do your part and keep it on the whole time. This KN95 face mask from Boncare is one of the best face masks for the Delta variant, so you should be in good hands rocking this one around.
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Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station
If there’s anything we know about the world as we know it in 2021, it’s that you’ve gotta be prepared for anything. Hurricane season lasts until around November 30th and these storms are only getting stronger year after, so you should never consider yourself out for the count in case of an emergency. Thankfully, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station is here for those just-in-case power-related moments when you need it most. Charge your phone, plug in a light, keep your speaker on full blast and more. Sure, it’s an absolute investment, but you’ll never be without a power source again — even when festival season is well over.
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Tarp
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Home Depot If you’re camping (which is the only way real festival-goers do it), you’re going to need a tarp. Tarps are absolutely necessary for keeping under your tent in case of inclement weather or pre-saturated ground. As waterproof as your tent claims it is, placing a tarp under your tent as a barrier between the earth and where you’re sleeping is a smart move in case of one of those just-in-case moments. No one wants to sleep in damp conditions.
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Tent
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Because you’re camping, you’re going to need a tent. You don’t want to sleep in your car, do you? That sounds way too uncomfortable. Thankfully, Coleman’s Sundome Tent is inexpensive and large enough for a comfortable slumber no matter how many nights you’re staying. Each tent is completely weatherproof and can withstand winds up to 35+ MPH. It has a sundome on top that keeps the heat and rain out and large windows for superb ventilation.
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Tent Stakes
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Your tent 100% comes with tent stakes, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. It seems that whenever you take the tent out, there’s one less stake than there was the last time you used it. These stakes are non-rust and easily go on the ground without too much pushing and shoving. The top parts include little arms and holes to add rope (provided) for extra support.
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Outdoor Blanket
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon If you’re doing your next music festival the right way, you’re going to want to bring an outdoor blanket for lounging and relaxing in the grass with your buds. This outdoor blanket from Rumpl is one of our favorites. It’s huge, weatherproof and incredibly packable. Not to mention, this baby is warm, so you can use it for sleeping if needed, too.
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Wheeled Cooler
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon A cooler is mandatory when attending a music festival. Although there’s likely no way you’ll be able to bring it inside the actual festival, keeping a cooler on your campgrounds is a must. This bad boy from YETI will keep your beverages and any perishable snacks at the perfect temperature for days on end. Plus, it has wheels, making it much easier to lug from the car to the spot you want it for the weekend.
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Water Bottle
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Water is essential for music festivals. It’s sad how many people year after year suffer or even die from dehydration-related issues at music festivals, so it’s within your best bet to keep hydrated at all times. Here’s how we think about it: every time you even think about water, you should have a sip of water. Period.
Most festival grounds have refill stations across the festival, so bringing your own water bottle for constant refill is a smart idea. This one is great because it keeps your water cool for hours, even on the hottest of days.
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First-Aid Kit
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Again, you simply never know what’s going to happen in 2021 and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Although every music festival should have a first-aid tent located on festival grounds, it’s best to keep a first-aid kit on hand in case of any minor burns or scratches. They’re bound to happen and this first-aid kit on Amazon is incredibly well-priced. All in all, why wouldn’t you?
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LuminAID PackLite Max
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Let there be light! After a long night of set after set, you’ll likely be walking back to the campgrounds in pitch darkness. If you want to hang out for a little longer or simply get yourself ready for bed in the light, get yourself the LuminAID PackLite Max. This lantern folds down in on itself for easy storing and can provide up to 50 whole hours of light total. There are various light modes available depending on how bright you like it and it can even charge your phone after a long day out.
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Multitool
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Five words: you’re going to need it.
No matter what the case may be, you’re going to need a multitool when camping at a music festival. We don’t know why and neither will until you realize it’s finally time. This multitool from Gerber has everything you could possibly need and then some. Cut, measure, grab and more.
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Jump Starter Box
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Almost every time we go to music festivals, our cars die. It’s like clockwork at this point. Just in case you need to jump your car at the end of the weekend to get it moving again, we suggest you snag this jump starter box. Because even if you don’t need it, there’s a solid chance someone around you will.