Music Festivals are starting to happen again in the UK – Hooray!
With the Download Festival Pilot in June and Bloodstock taking place in August, people are starting to head back outside to enjoy live music.
However, the UK has just experienced a heatwave and another is expected in August.
So I figured that this would be a great time to discuss how to enjoy a music festival while it’s sunny out.
Even when it’s too sunny out.
So in this blog post I will go through a list of advice about what clothes to take and also other ways to make sure you stay happy and healthy in the sun.
Essentially this is a list of ways to make sure you don’t suffer sunstroke or dehydration or any of those other un-fun things that sun exposure can cause.
Footwear
When planning your outfits for a festival, you should always pack some ‘just in case’ clothes, but mainly you should pack for the expected weather.
If the UK is in the midst of a heatwave and you expect it to continue; then pack for that.
Trainers would be fine, or maybe some sturdy boots if the ground is hard and you will be on your feet all day.
As for those cute sparkly wellies?
Well, there’s probably not going to be much use for them and they will just hurt your feet.
Sunscreen
Living in the UK, it can be so easy to just ignore the importance of sunscreen.
It’s also easy to forget just how often wearing sunscreen is a good idea.
It’s not just during a heatwave or very sunny days either.
Sunscreen is about stopping UV rays, and they exist even when its sunny but not particularly hot, and they exist even when its cloudy.
And as the NHS points out, having a tan does NOT protect you from these rays.
You may think it looks good, but it doesn’t stop you from further harmful rays from the sun.
The point: stay safe and wear sunscreen.
That link goes to the famous article written by Mary Schmich (later turned into a famous spoken-word song by Baz Luhrmann).
It’s not relevant here at all, but it is a very good speech and you should give it a read if you haven’t before.
Legs
If the sun is going to be high in the sky and burning so bright you worry it might explode, then maybe wearing black jeans ISN’T the best idea.
Shorts or skirts are a great idea, or if you want to be ‘That Guy’ then you could just go absolutely naked.
Tip: Don’t be ‘That guy’.
Shorts and skirts are great for helping to stay cool, and probably look cool too!
Though obviously that means you will have more skin exposed, so be sure to put on extra sun screen.
Stay hydrated
It’s so commonly said that it’s practically cliche, but staying hydrated in hot weather is incredibly important.
If you don’t drink enough water (and yes, I said water!) you are at risk of dehydrating and passing out.
In fact the most common cause of people passing out at festivals is due to dehydration.
The good news is that while festivals can be very expensive places to be at, water is free!
Well, usually.
In the UK, while I can’t find a law pertaining to festivals/events, all premises that are licensed to serve alcohol must also offer “free potable water“, which I’m assuming also applies to festivals.
I am not sure about other countries, but this article from 2015 suggests that it isn’t a legal requirement in America.
So anyway, at UK festivals you can buy bottled water from an ice cream van for £2, OR you could go to a water point and fill up your own bottle for freesies!
Top
As I mentioned above, it’s always a good idea to pack for the weather, but some ‘just in case’ clothes are a good idea too.
While short sleeve shorts or thin materials are a great way to make sure you don’t overheat, take a jacket as well, in case the wind gets up or the sun decides to dive behind a cloud.
Also, music festival entertainment doesn’t end when the sun goes down, and night time can be surprisingly cold.
When it’s 3am and you’re wandering the campsite looking for the last open Burger Van, you don’t want to also be freezing your face off.
Parasol/Umbrella
The idea of carrying a parasol around with you in the heat may make you conjure up images of a Victorian lady or a 1980s goth, but maybe they were on to something.
Hats are a great thing (See the next point) but parasols are bigger and better at protecting you from the suns rays.
But more importantly, talk about making a statement!
And what is a music festival if not a place to express yourself?
Hat
A Sun Hat.
The clue is in the name here, they exist to deal with the sun.
I once went to a music festival and forgot both a hat and sunscreen. Not a huge deal, I thought, as I waited in the queue for 4 hours to get in.
By the time I got into the festival itself I was a red, burned mess.
I still had a great time, but I am pretty sure I would have enjoyed it more if I didn’t look like a cracked tomato all weekend.
Wrap Up
If you’re going to a music festival this year, be sure that you have an absolutely fantastic time, but don’t let your excitement mean that you forget to look after yourself.
Stay hydrated, don’t overheat and wear sunscreen.
