Going to Governors Ball this weekend? Make sure to bring these essentials with you
Music festivals are back, baby! If there’s anything that music lovers have missed more than anything in our pandemic world, it’s definitely live music. Governors Ball is back at Citi Field in Queens, New York this weekend and the lineup is jam packed.
With Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, J Balvin and Post Malone headlining, and other big names like Megan Thee Stallion, Kehlani, EARTHGANG, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Phoebe Bridgers, Dominic Fike, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist, this weekend is bound to be unforgettable for festival-goers.
While we’re all super excited to get back to festival grounds, don’t get lost in your anticipation and show up unprepared. Make sure you show up ready to rage with these nine festival essentials.
Clear fanny pack
The number one most important festival necessity is a clear fanny pack. According to the Governors Ball website, small, clear bags are allowed into Citi Field. A fanny pack is essential because who wants to be lugging around a purse or backpack while shoved in a crowd? You want to be hands free, ready to dance and sing your little heart out in the pit. A clear fanny pack will help you carry all your essentials with ease and it looks cute with any outfit.
Portable phone charger
Festival days are long. Like, very long. If your phone is dead, how are you going to document your favorite artists? How are you going to find your friends if you get lost? How are you going to order your Uber to leave? You need to bring a portable charger small enough to fit in your fanny pack so you’re not left by yourself, with a dead phone and no photos or videos.
Lip balm
While you’re in the heat all day singing your favorite songs, nothing is worse than chapped lips. I’ve made the mistake of forgetting to bring some type of lip balm to a concert, and it’s not fun.
Throw some in your fanny pack, and you’re set for the entire concert. In my opinion, the Aquaphor Lip Repair is the best one. It’ll keep your lips ready to sing, and add a little gloss to keep your festival makeup you worked so hard on looking fresh.
Reusable water bottle
You’re probably going to forget to drink water. This is a huge red flag at a festival. You’re in the heat, sweating and losing all of your hydration for three days straight.
It’s so important to take care of yourself and many people overheat and pass out in the middle of crowds just because they didn’t drink water all day. Buying water bottles at festivals is ridiculously expensive, and the lines are so long you may miss your favs. Bring a small reusable water bottle you can clip onto your fanny pack to refill at the free water stations around Citi Field.
Plan to see your favs
Governors Ball has an application with all of the scheduled set times and which stages each artist is performing at. Before the festival, download the app on your phone and favorite which artists you want to see. This will give you a set schedule of where you need to be and when, so you don’t miss your favs. Give yourself enough time to get to each stage so you don’t miss a beat.
Baby wipes and hand sanitizer
Festivals are gross. Everyone around you is sweating and touching you whether you like it or not. And don’t even get me started on the bathroom situation, which never seems to have toilet paper or hand soap. Make sure you bring a small pack of baby wipes and hand sanitizer with you in your fanny pack to try to be as clean as you can.
Electric fan
As if I need to reiterate, festivals are hot and sweaty. Beginner festival goers are never prepared for how bad it gets. Throw a mini electric fan in your fanny pack to avoid overheating and sweating off all of your glitter and mascara.
Something to stand out in the crowd
Losing your friends is pretty much unavoidable, honestly. Even if your phone is charged, it can still be hard to seek people out in the crowd. Pro tip: Bring a colorful bandana or something unique you can wave over your head for your friends to find you between sets or at the end of the night. It makes things so much easier.
Disposable film camera
Music festivals are a unique and unforgettable experience. The first festival I went to, I brought a disposable film camera, and it was one of the best decisions I made. I still look back at the photos I took of my favorite artists and of my friends living our best life. Digital photos and videos are great, but the effect of a film camera has a way of capturing all of the emotions in a different way. Throw one in your bag and trust me on this one.
Music festivals are one of the best feelings in the world. Soak up every moment with your favorite people, stay safe and enjoy every second. Don’t forget to drink water, and show up prepared to have the ultimate experience.
