Springtime reminds me just how much they suck in concept and execution
You’re telling me you want to spend your weekend getting exposed to loud non-stop noises, sleeping on the ground, fighting to take a shower, and giving up thousands of dollars for the pleasure? I get that some are better executed than others, but from my perspective, you’re effectively paying to be put in a tinnitus-inducing internment camp. Maybe if the infrastructure, food, or prices were better I’d change my mind, but as it stands, I don’t see any merit in them
source: Woodstock 94, Woodstock 99, Coachella 2025, and pretty much anything Blue Ridge Rock Fest has done
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Counterpoint: I did a huge amount of acid at Burning Man and it was pretty great
Well part of your issue seems to be that you’re only looking at the most expensive and commercial ones possible.
You may want to check out FEQ in Old Quebec City.
Yeah but you get to tell people you went
There are festivals that don’t involve spending thousands of dollars, camping in a field, and being in the sun for days. Listen to better music.
telluride bluegrass is none of those things.
There’s plenty that don’t have showers, the need for them, or the need to sleep. There are tons that are like, an afternoon/evening long.
Or… you could just get a hotel, go to the festival for the day, have a blast and go home. You can even go to after parties some of those days. You only live once
Coachella sucks, even Bonnaroo is too corporate for me.
However, Nelsonville Music Festival in rural Ohio is my favorite place in the whole world . The music is a hodgepodge of indie rock and alt country and it’s just great vibes. Very hippie, but actual live off the land hippies and not the rich parents ones.
Wrong
OP… “Hey, this festival from 30 years ago sucked, so here’s my opinion”
Summer of 99 I went backpacking through Europe. I was so bummed to be missing Woodstock.
When I got back and heard all the horror stories, I realized I made the better choice.
Not one mention of all the bands you get to see. The cost of seeing all those bands individually would be way more than almost any festival. Going without a shower or good night’s sleep for a couple days is so worth it to experience a bunch of bands you love. Also, earplugs are a thing.
I have no idea how unpopular this actually is, but as a music and concert lover, take my upvote.
I’ve gone to 4 huge music fests and so far the only bad time I had at once was forgetting to put sunblock on my shoulders. You’ve specifically chosen a few of the worst ones and decided that just because those were bad that all of them are bad. Preparing properly very easily solves many problems people have and a few problems you mentioned.
Okay let’s break this down:
-“loud non-stop noises” it’s not noise, it’s MUSIC. And it’s mostly amazing music, and it’s incredibly well produced and sounds amazing coming from those gigantic speakers
-“sleeping on the ground, fighting to take a shower” a) not every festival is a camping festival! EDC Orlando, ultra Miami, breakaway, all of these are like noon-midnight festivals. b) yes some people truly enjoy the raw, primal experience of camping festivals and truly resting yourself against the elements! It heightens the senses! I personally do not like camping festivals, but there is an argument to be made for them if that sense of adventure is your thing. I mean hey some people go camping in the wilderness, right? Same concept
-“and giving up thousands of dollars for the pleasure” even Coachella is like $2000 for the weekend if you plan properly. And that’s pretty standard for a VACATION. If you were to do a Disney world weekend, it would cost a similar amount. And again that’s among the most expensive festivals. Again I say, go try out edc orlando which does day passes. You can easily do the EDCO weekend for under $1000
You got two pretty good metallica shows, or one at least. And primus.
My only problem with music festivals is trying ti decide which acts to see and which ones I’ll regret not seeing forever
I need a festival that is like summer camp in chilhowee Illinois.
They’ve effectively stopped putting the fest on.
It was rather small for a festival and generally the people felt like good vibes.