Whether at the Sziget Festival or at the Rock en Seine, a festival requires preparation. And it goes through the backpack, especially if we play it "festival-outdoors-night-and-day". To make sure everything goes well, we've concocted a little list of essentials... that we tend to forget, in favor of our very comfortable little tops, flocked with the names of our favorite artists.
Music morning, noon, and evening. As much during the day, we expect it, and that's good because that's precisely why we emptied our bank account. As much at night (or at least, the three hours that we devote to it on average during such an event), it's nice when it stops. These earplugs allow you to sleep soundly, despite after parties, drunken revelers and other noise disturbances.
Our toes are going to be put to the test, between wild dances, miles of walking, and waiting at the bar. So to prevent blisters, put on a good pair of sneakers, comfortable, ventilated, and resistant. And preferably, not too new, not too pretty:it would hurt all the more to have to throw them away at the end of the festoch’…
We always have a pair of flip-flops with us! If only for the shower in the toilets:the floor is (very) rarely clean, and the sneakers / socks combo that you put on just after washing is neither very pleasant nor very hygienic... And at the same time, we also allow our feet to breathe a little!
Or any other headgear. Because spending the day on your feet, spending a beer in your hand under 40°C, it may not please our body, and even less our head. So hats, caps, bucket hats… all are welcome and highly recommended!
Or better yet, a poncho! Let’s not forget those dear summer storms, which bring as much water as an Ecuadorian monsoon. And if the jacket allows us to avoid drops, the poncho can shelter our backpack as well.
In festivals, we generally remember very well the ultra-clean toilets. What ? Nobody remembers it? It's normal, it doesn't exist. In short:the hydro-alcoholic gel, we always have it on us. Before and after going to the small corner, before eating, after fiddling with everything that was on the floor... At the rate of one bottle per person, you can get by for a short week.
Indispensable if you camp, the cooler can also be used as additional seating and storage, once empty. Not negligible! We have no excuse not to take it if we come by car. By train, on the other hand, or by carpooling, we can understand that it is not really practical. In this case, we try to organize with the friends on site to share one.
It's not necessarily the first thing you think of, and yet! Obligatory, especially in case of sunshine and high temperatures. Because sunburn, contrary to what some people still think, isn't classy, it hurts, and it's hard to relieve, especially when you're camping.
Nothing has escaped us, so we are ready for the adventure and the sensations that an outdoor festival has in store for us!
