Now that summer is on its way (we hope – Spring, you’ve been mighty confusing this year), it’s around about the time we start to think about how we can maximise our chances of getting sweaty and dusty in a field, busting out your best come-hither dance moves to some bangers. In other words, we’re prepping for festival season.
From Falls Festival to UNIFY, or even the Tamworth Country Music Festival, you need to make sure you’re 100% ready to tackle a big few days.
If you’re anything like us, we tend to do all our packing at the literal last minute – no really, housemates have been put on dragging duty so that they can yank us out of the house on time. But that’s mostly coz in the past, we haven’t been adequately prepped for the task.
This year, we’ve upped the ante with a packing checklist so refined, so beautiful, that even the laziest trashbag of a human could make it through festival season in one piece and still manage to get out of the house without igniting a feud with their housemates.
And look, we’re not gonna tell you to pack your undies coz frankly we aren’t your mother, but here are some essentials that you do NOT want to forget, whether it’s a one-day festival or a full few days.
1. Sunscreen
Unless you like the crispy look (which you should not), you gotta take sunscreen. It’s an obvious choice, but you’d be surprised how many people mistakenly think that it’ll be fine to go without. You will not tan, friend, you will fry. Not good.
2. Shades
Whether you can somehow manage to pull off those tiny half sunnies that all the celebs are wearing, or if you’re opting to rock gigantic frames that obscure half your face, sunnies are gonna up your aesthetic game and protect your eyes. Win-win.
3. Portable phone charger
You will thank us for this one. Between taking filtered selfies and recording the live sets for Instagram, your phone is gonna be on struggle street. Pack a (charged!) portable charger or two and you’ll be absolutely cheering when it comes time to call an Uber home.
4. Wet wipes
Unless you’re utterly gross (and even then), you’ll want to have something with you that can keep you hygienic. There are a bunch of sweaty folk at these shindigs, so best grab a few wet wipe packets so that you can eat without fearing what kind of gross germs you’re chomping on.
5. Bandaids
Okay you accident-prone specimen of humanity, listen up. From blisters to scratches to getting a damn paper cut from your ticket, you never know when you’re going to need one of these babies. Or when someone else might, and you can be the knight in shining armour.
6. Deodorant
Please for the love of all that is holy in this sad, strange little world – PACK DEODORANT. People sweat, and body odour is not anything that anyone wants to share. FYI, roll-on is best to avoid getting your aerosol cans getting confiscated at entry.
7. Pop-up tent
If you’re staying overnight, protection from the elements is key. A pop-up tent shouldn’t take up too much space and it’ll mean you won’t have to worry about random folk gatecrashing your slumber party by stumbling into the wrong area.
8. Water
Water is super expensive at most festivals, and although there’s usually a bunch of refill stations the lines will seem as endless as a ten-hour Shrek YouTube vid. Pack as much as you can and make sure you hold onto those bottles for refilling (if you have the patience).
9. Snacks and drinks
Depending on which festival you’re off to, you can actually bring in your own grub and drinks, so whenever possible you should absolutely do that to save cash. Chuck in a bag of Doritos, or if you’re feeling fancy you could take a cheese platter. Both go well with a six pack of JD, just sayin’.
10. Cash
Don’t be that guy who never has cash and always promises to pay back your mates (you won’t, and we know it). Take out cash before you get there and that way you’ll be able to grab all the snacks and merch you fancy – most places won’t take card anyway.
11. ID
You probs aren’t going anywhere without this bad boy. You ID is literally your identity in a small rectangle of importance. Don’t lose it, don’t forget it. Clutch this card to your chest like you love it more than you’ve ever loved anything in this entire world. Sorry mum, the ID comes first.
12. Esky
You can chuck your drinks in here, you can sit on it, and if you’re tricky you can absolutely pop your sunnies and a t-shirt in there to cool ’em down so that when you finally pop them back on they’ll chill you right down. It’s genius, you’re welcome.
13. Portable speaker
If the festival’s acts have finished for the night but kick-ons are still absolutely going, you’re gonna wanna keep the tunes coming. Chucking in a portable speaker will have you becoming the most popular human around, so congratulations you pseudo-DJ.
14. Lighter
You may not smoke, but that doesn’t mean that other people don’t. There are inevitably people there who will need a light and it’s a great icebreaker to be able to provide for these poor souls. Plus you’ll make friends coz everyone wants to be with the provider.
15. Toilet paper
Try as they might, festival planners cannot seem to comprehend how much people need to poop. There’s rarely enough toilet paper to last the entire festival, and even if there is you can use your own roll for tissues or wiping things (other than your bits) down. It’s only logical.
16. Spray bottle
Remember all those things we said you could chuck in your Esky? This is a must-have for festivals in December/January. The cool, crisp spray of water from one of these vessels will make you feel as though the gods themselves have blessed you in that moment.
17. Bandana
It can get dusty AF out there, especially in summer. To prevent yourself from inhaling enough dust to start your own ant farm right there in your schnoz, buy a cheap bandana and wrap it around your face whenever possible. Practical fashion, ten points for you.
18. Backpack
All this stuff has gotta go somewhere, right? A backpack is the sturdiest way of carting all your stuff around, and while it may not be the most stylish, your aching shoulders will thank us when they share the load rather than concentrate all the agony on one side thanks to your evil shoulder bag.
19. Spare undies
Yes, we said we weren’t going to tell you to pack your undies but you know what? We care about you and frankly the idea of someone wearing the same underwear for three days straight is horrifying. Do not forget them, we beseech you.
20. Your ticket
Now, we’re putting this last so it’s the final thing you check that you’ve got in your bag before you nick off to the actual festival. DO NOT FORGET THIS. Doesn’t matter how busy you are or how late you’ll be, check that you’ve got your damn ticket before you leave or you ain’t going anywhere.
Now, you obviously can’t always bring grog into the festival grounds, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pre-game and have a tipple while you’re packing. So pour yourself a glass of Jack Daniel’s and ginger beer, and get your shit sorted.
Trust us, it’s way better to have all of this ready in advance – because you know full well that you will absolutely forget at least half of this otherwise. We’re here to help, friend.
Jack Daniel’s knew better than most how to get the party started. He also knew when it was time to call it a night. Enjoy responsibly.
