Tips for a fun and kind summer music season
Winter was a “blink and you missed it” event this year. It’s hard to believe we are full speed into summer temperatures and festivities this long weekend.
One of the highlights of the season is attending live music events at a variety of outdoor venues. Northern New Mexico offers something for everyone and every age, both rural and urban.
This holiday weekend, I revisit some thoughts about getting into the groove this summer.
Kindness plays a recurring theme at the various music events we’ve attended through the years. We’ve made lifelong friends, been invited as houseguests and attended weddings of the concertgoers we’ve befriended. When we struck out getting tickets for the final Fare Thee Well Grateful Dead 50th anniversary concerts a few years ago in Chicago, it was through a relationship made at Telluride Blues & Brews Festival that we got “One More Saturday Night.” In true cosmic Deadhead fashion, a miracle reached out to us with four tickets to the sold-out Soldier Field concert on July Fourth.
Concerts and concert festivals are a culture all their own, with protocol specific to the personality of the headliner and fan.
The Grateful Dead has a unique fan base, evident by the loyal followers who are as much a part of the concert-going experience as the music itself. It’s a soulful and communal vibe, which was comforting as we navigated the throngs of 70,000. As we walked shoulder to shoulder to and from the stadium, it was a calm atmosphere full of smiles and conversation with like-minded music lovers. There was no aggressive behavior or pushy punks walking among this city of love. For four days, we would casually engage ticket holders in restaurants, on the street and even in the fanciest of hotel lobbies, all easily identified by a ticket lanyard or tie-dye shirt. A citywide conference, if you will.
Whether you’re attending Music on the Hill or Bonnaroo, here’s your primer for “truckin’ ” from parking lot to encore with kindness:
Find out what is allowed on-site, such as backpacks, lawn chairs, umbrellas, food and drink. Every venue has its own rules, and it’s better to know them before you schlepp your gear a mile from the car.
Come prepared with ID, money and tickets. A fanny pack or zippered pockets are perfect for festivals, allowing you to be hands-free and keeping your valuables securely on your body. It’s helpful to have some cash on hand for cash-only transactions.
Bring ear plugs for yourself and headphones for the kiddos. There are many choices on the market, and it’s good to research and test run what feels comfortable in advance. Slather on the sunscreen and wear a wide-brim hat rather than a high hat that will obstruct views of those behind you.
Make a plan for where to meet up during intermission, at the close and if you’ve lost one another.
Some artistic types create a totem, a tall fishing pole-like marker that indicates where you are in the crowd. This is OK at a large festival, but be mindful of obstructing views or injuring your neighbors.
Bringing the kiddos? Point out a designated meeting place and identify security personnel to go to if they become separated from you. It’s also helpful to snap a photo of your little one on-site with your mobile phone so you can show what he is wearing in case someone needs to help you find your lost child. A bright shirt or unique pattern makes you and your child stand out to each other. Use a Sharpie marker to write your cell number on their arm or a paper they know is in their pocket.
Closed-toed shoes protect your dancing tootsies at crowded venues.
Snacks like a bag of nuts or protein bar can help counter the expensive concession stands and long hours of standing, and line your tummy to absorb all those cold beers. Keep a water bottle or some type of water carrier on you to stay hydrated.
Charge your phone up before the show so you can capture the moment
and locate friends and family via text messaging. However, don’t spend the whole time taking selfies. Live in the moment.
Obey the rules about photography and recording. It’s especially important to not aim a flash toward the stage that could temporarily blind a musician.
When tailgating or at open lawn events, bring enough food and drink to share. While you aren’t obligated to feed your neighbors, it’s polite to have enough to offer new friends.
At general-admission, standingroom events, weave your way through a crowd in a gentle manner with a kind “Excuse me” rather than bulldozing through.
Those blessed with height should be mindful of when and where they stand at general-admission events.
Vacate the seats you’ve temporarily adopted when legitimate ticket holders arrive.
It’s polite to ask those around you if they mind you lighting up.
Have fun and get into the groove, but don’t overly imbibe to the point at which you aren’t in control — and become a distraction to those around you and an obligation your friends have to look after.