Spring Awakening Music Festival 2015 is exactly one week away. I’ve compiled a few tips to help make this an easy event for newbies and veterans of the festival from, “How to get to Soldier Field,” to “What should I bring?” I’ve been able to attend the last two Spring Awakening Music Festivals in Chicago. I’ve had a blast each time and I’m looking forward to it again next week. I’ve learned a few things from going to the event about how to make it better, and even more from living in this wonderful city. That said, I put together a few simple things below to help you all survive your first Spring Awakening (or to help make your sophomore trip even better). Some of these are more basic tips, but if this is your first music festival, I hope these will save you a lot of headaches and heartaches. Chicago is an easy city to traverse and Soldier Field is an incredible venue for a festival. I hope this will help make your experience even better:
Take the Redline – The easiest way to get to soldier field for Spring Awakening? Take the Chicago Red el train all the way, I cannot stress this enough. You ride the Redline to the Roosevelt stop and that’s it. In the past there were recommendation to take the bus to the museum campus/soldier field, but it’s significantly faster to take the train. Don’t over think it, just get a Chicago Ventra card for the weekend at any train stop and follow your fellow festival fans. Last year the trains were covered in glitter and glow sticks and you were quick to find new friends to chat with. Added bonus: it gives you plenty of time to finish your beverages in an air-conditioned location.
Bring a Ziploc Bag – This was a nightmare last year — always have something waterproof just in case. For anything from rain, beer, and bros throwing water bottles, to incredibly scorching dance-offs; you’ll want to protect your phone from getting wet. This year, the forecast is calling for rain, so be ready for that immediately. This year we won’t be needing tickets due to the wristbands, but you’ll have your electronics.
Bring a portable charger (Or a Morphie). – Portable chargers are super cheap nowadays, and will provide valuable charge for your phone. Spring Awakening had charging stations last year, but who wants to leave their phones alone? A pocket-sized Morphie battery (or whichever variation you can find at a Best Buy or Walgreens) will save you a lot of stress and give you the extra time you need to upload your favorite sets and selfies to Instagram.
Wear comfortable shoes – This should be an easy one for anyone who has attended an outdoor festival or concert. In the immortal words of Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump, “Take care of your feet.” It was important in Vietnam and it’s important in humid weather at a festival. I made the mistake of wearing uncomfortable (better) shoes for the first night, and was awarded with two wonderful, massive blisters on my left foot. I quickly changed shoes for the remainder of the event, but it was incredibly painful to deal with for the last two days. Don’t make this mistake, you’ll wear your shoes pretty hard jumping around, so don’t over think this one either.
Stay hydrated – This should not be any sort of surprise — it should be the most important part of your weekend. Chicago can get incredibly humid and hot and you’ll sweat out more than you can imagine (any other substances aside). Last year there were a few water stations, but the lines were long and they were quite far apart. Make sure you hydrate the night before the festival starts, drink water throughout the day, and re-hydrate when you get home. Since this is a marathon and not a sprint, it’s important to also be mindful of your electrolytes. Drink a Gatorade or a packet of Emergen-C to replenish. You’ll feel much better, and will be able to go harder each day.
Last but not least, check your attitude at the door and have one hell of a good time. Spring Awakening marks the beginning of EDM summer and we’re all ready to blow off steam built up from the winter. Be friendly and pleasant to those around you and just enjoy the music; after all that’s what we’re all there for.
Insta: Springawakefest
Twitter: @springawakefest
Build your schedule here.