Introverts: How You Should Prepare for a Music Festival

A music festival can be a nightmare for introverts if you don’t go with a plan to make it comfortable for yourself. There are huge masses of people, all reaching out and connecting, and where sleeping, sometimes, becomes a luxury.

I have first-hand experience on this topic since my girlfriend is an extreme introvert and I have learned with time how I can support her best so that she can join me on festivals and enjoy the occasion at least somewhat.

Let’s first talk about the 3 most common phobias that introverts are dealing with when it comes to attending a music festival:

• Agoraphobia:
  • The phobia of a big crowd, where one would feel like they need the support of a trusted person to feel more comfortable.
  • Where one is afraid to leave their house and sleep somewhere else that night.
  • The fear where an introvert feels that they don’t have an exit door nearby.
• Glossophobia:
  • Where one would need to speak in public or make friends with random unknown people.
• Paruresis and Parcopresis:
  • The fear of having to use public toilets.
  • The fear of having a bathroom-related accident.

These 3 are the most common, so there can always occur more stumbling stones to deal with as we are all unique.

An extrovert won’t understand the battle, so it’s important to spread the understanding and how to deal with it since we don’t all have the same road to relaxation and enjoyment.

Let’s get into the preparation for a music festival. Asking yourself, as an introvert, that you have a festival coming up in 2 weeks (you will probably stress much earlier), how could you prepare yourself for such an event to make it as easy and smooth for you as possible.

Do Research Beforehand

An introvert would first start to do research about what they might need. That’s an important phase for them to prepare themselves mentally and find applicable information to settle some nerves.

1. What does the festival ground layout look like? Is there a map online to investigate?
2. Where would be an ideal spot to camp? Find a space away from the masses and close to the exit, but not too far from the ablution blocks.
3. What does the lineup look like? Plan your days so that there’s a structure and you prioritise the things that you find important. As an introvert, you would feel too adaptable when you are in a group and neglect your own wishes. Communicating these wishes would help your friend or partner with supporting the structure you planned.
4. Where could you find food and water? What type of food would be available?

Interview Your Close Friends

As an introvert, you have a handful of very close and trusted friends you can rely on for information and share experiences with.

In the luckiest cases they are also attending the festival, but that’s mostly not the case. Ask them about their previous experiences and make yourself acquainted with what to expect.

Regular Reflection

The key thing here is reflecting and exchanging ideas regularly.

We would regularly sit and talk about what are her mental stumbling stones and what we could do to roll them out of the way. Write them down and try to help each other to solve them one by one.

This post was written and posted by De Wet from startingmyband.com on 25.04.2023. The content was stolen from me if this blog post is seen anywhere else.

Transportation There and Back

Having your own vehicle to get there and back is the best for an introvert.

Getting there and back is a common challenge if you don’t have a vehicle where you can load your personal belongings. Also sharing is not ideal, but if you as an introvert would feel comfortable sharing with a trusted person, then we solved the challenge.

A dear friend of mine, who is a professional bassist and an absolute introvert, has mastered his skill of sleeping at festivals as a musician. He drives there on gig day, sleeps inside his car and lives out of his vehicle for the duration of his attendance.

This is becoming more and more popular for people who have their own cars or camping vans. Just make sure to which extent one can bring a camping vehicle to the festival grounds.

Creating a den or an “own” environment for an introvert is crucial to make them feel comfortable. Prioritise this and you will enjoy the time together.

Prepare for traffic

Especially on the way there when you would like to set up camp and get ready for your first show. It might be better to go too early instead of punctually just to buffer the time you might need to get ready.

It is better for an introvert to arrive early where they can still explore the grounds before the masses come, instead of arriving when everyone is already there. This is extremely scary and overwhelming to them.

Packing for the Weekend

Now, I am no pack expert, and everyone’s needs are different. But here’s a bit of info from my own experiences combined with what I found doing research that could be helpful:

General Checklist

To give you a bit of a checklist of what to pack, I will refer you to this free pdf I found online which seems accurate and was recommended at a previous festival.

Carrying Items Along

Also, have a look at this helpful video from Megan Archer about What to bring INTO a music festival for some clever survival ideas. She explains more in-depth about the items you could carry with you over the festival so that you feel closer to your belongings.

This is an important factor for introverts: Feeling close to the things that makes them feel comfortable and happy. I would recommend packing an extra backpack or fanny pack for a festival to be extra prepared for all possible situations.

Having a Close Contact

An introvert feels comfortable knowing that there will be at least one other trusted person there as well. This would make them feel at ease knowing someone else will be there to talk to and catch up.

One other person leads to an easier introduction to making other acquaintances or friends.

What to Talk About at Festivals With Strangers

For an introvert, it’s always the first thing they think of when people are approaching: What am I going to talk about?

Remember this: Your smile and calmness are sometimes exactly what the conversation needs.

Asking too many questions can tire others out, so make sure you share about yourself as well, because you are important and you matter!

Here are a few tips to get the conversations going at a music festival:

• Ask people about their previous experiences at music festivals.
• Talk about their favourite artists and their dream line-ups.
• Packing and camping
• Previous day highlights

When you talk about lineups and schedules, you might want to keep an eye on the clock not to miss your favourite artists.

If you want to know how many songs you can expect your favourite artist plans to perform, you can use the guide I published here to help you.

Other Camping Must-Haves

Except for the normal things that you would like to take with you, here are a few valuable tips that you don’t want to be without.

Bring Furniture Along

Especially a chair. You will be so grateful for having a chair of your own, especially during the mornings when everyone is just relaxing and recovering. Even if you are sleeping in your car. Having a chair is a must-have.

Decide how you would like to sleep. It’s hard to get some rest if you just lay on the floor. Make it comfortable for yourself so that you can rest out.

Personally, I have a memory foam mattress, because I find it to be a bit cosier. Other people also add a stretcher to have some space off of the floor.

If you are keen to sleep in your car as my friend does, then this is for you. Just make sure about the size as well. This one is for an SUV which also comes in handy for kids or other types of holidays.

Pimp your Tent

Your tent must feel like your home for the next few days. Therefore you need to plan to make it as homey as possible.

If you love the smell of your washing powder at home, then make sure your tent will remind you of that place where you feel special and safe.

I am generally happy when I have my favourite pillow, electricity and lights, a cooler box and plenty of ice, and lots of wood if you are allowed to make fires. Those are the things that make me happy.

Staying Healthy

It’s really important to look after yourself during these days when you are out of your normal habitat:

1. Make sure you have enough water. You will surely get hydrated from drinking everything else than water.
2. Have some headache medication.
3. Something against allergies.
4. Medication to stop a running tummy.
5. TOP TIP: Electrolytes. Drink one of these each night before bed with 250ml water. The next day you’ll have all your energy back again.
6. Sunblock is a must. I normally go with a 30 SPF that covers all I need.
7. Please brush your teeth, to at least use proper oral mouthwash.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

1. The most flexible item is a leather jacket:
   • It endures rain
   • It’s warm
   • Looks pretty awesome
2. A gazebo like this one is very useful for wet or sunny conditions. It’s often used as the transition phase between outside and inside with a surface sail as well.
3. Another important item is waterproof shoes, or at least an extra pair for when one is dirty, wet, muddy or stinky.

Look After Your Things

There will be plenty of opportunists lurking around and we don’t want to give anyone the opportunity to snatch a freebie or two. Make sure that you take care of your things and lock them up when you leave your tent.

Opportunity Makes a Thief

Proverb

I normally folded my chairs and place any loose objects into my tent and make sure that my tent can be locked with an excellent quality suitcase lock like the one in the link.

I always say that every extra obstacle in the thief’s way that would slow them down, will make them reconsider the theft or crime. Let’s just be aware of the possibilities and that we can do something to prevent a bad experience.

Remember that most of the music festivals will take place during the darker times of the day. If you are interested in why this is the case, then go ahead and scan through the article I wrote about Why Concerts Are Held At Night for the reasons.

Body Care & Hygiene are Important

• Normally a weekend is alright not having to take a shower, but washing your hair and face would make you feel like a brand new person.
• Take a 10 l or 20 l water can to have water in your tent. This will improve your convenience to not have to walk to a water source all the time. For an introvert, this is super inconvenient and would think that this is mandatory to make your life simpler. Also, take a few cups to pour the water out into.
• Brush your teeth or rinse your mount with a strong mouthwash. Keep chewing gum at hand as well.
• Take wet wipes and disinfection for the worst moments.
• Change your clothes at least once.

Spend Money Wisely

Normally, introverts are very thoughtful about where their money goes and they will generally not be caught off guard by buying silly items.

Just take this thought onboard: The vendors at festivals are normally heavily overpriced and the chance of you getting the items like merchandise online on sale after the festival, is pretty high.

If you feel like you are also struggling with anxiety at a music festival, I wrote a very helpful article about How to Deal with Anxiety Before and During a Music Festival that could guide you to an easy and fun festival.

Have fun!