11 Must-Have Items to Survive a Day at a Music Festival
Day festivals give you a taste of a major camping festival with the benefit of sleeping in a real bed at night. We joined more than 60,000 people at this year's Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta to find out what fans and bands keep in their bags to enjoy their fest experience.
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Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
Photo By: Laura Susong
All-Purpose Tapestry Blanket
Multi-function is the name of the game with this essential piece of flowy fabric. Blanket? Check. Scarf to keep the dust out of your nose/mouth? Check. Shelter from the sun or sudden showers? Check. Fabulous, fashionable flair for festivals of all genres? Check!
Buy It: Amazon, $7.99 and up
CamelBak Hydration Pack
Staying hydrated has never been easier than with a hydration pack. Shaky Knees provided water stations for fans to refill their reusable water bottles and hydration packs, which helped offset the abundant sunshine (and plentiful adult beverages).
Buy It: Amazon, $36.99 (Originally $50)
Soft Measuring Tape
When you're a fashion-forward festival-goer, some of the security size restrictions might run the risk of ruining your outfit of the day. Bring along a soft measuring tape to show the security guards that, yes, your cute satchel meets the size requirements for entry.
Buy It: Amazon, $4.99 (Originally $8.99)
Collapsible Backpack
Spending hours outside means you need to be prepared for anything. Need more space than a standard drawstring bag allows? Tuck this tiny collapsible backpack into your other bag and enjoy expanded storage options. Magic!
Buy It: Amazon, $15.99
Snacks
Just because you're playing the festival doesn't mean you won't get hungry! Michelle Zauner (aka Japanese Breakfast) had these crunchy Korean rice snacks on deck before her performance. Bringing your own snacks helps keep the cost down (and keeps you from eating *two* jalapeño corn dogs).
Buy It: Amazon, $34.84 (Pack of 10)
Earplugs
Just because you're outside doesn't mean your ears are immune from a music festival's sonic assaults. Future you will thank you for investing in a pair of quality earplugs. A connector cord and storage case make you less likely to lose them when you start crowd surfing to Tears for Fears.
Buy It: Amazon, $20.88
Sunscreen
Out on her first festival run, singer Taylor Janzen wanted to make sure she didn't get burnt during her time on and off stage at Shaky Knees. "I'm from Winnipeg so I'm not used to all this sunshine!"
Buy It: Amazon, $14.99
A Good Book
For when you need to chill out on the grassy knoll away from your friends and favorite bands, a good book (especially one about music, like The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross) can provide the respite you need.
Buy It: Amazon, $13.73
Deodorant + SPF Bucket Hat
Stay fresh from the first act to the closing set with a stick of your favorite deodorant. And don't forget a hat! Bucket hats are back in a big way. Keep the sun off your face with an affordable fashion accessory.
Buy It: Amazon, $13.99
Packable Blanket
One of the best parts of festivals is people watching. Do it in style and ease with this foldable, durable blanket that will be at home at the beach, camping or in the backyard.
Buy It: Amazon, $29.99