I. LOVE. MUSIC FESTIVALS! I’ve been going to as many festivals as I could over each summer since I was 18. I rarely buy a ticket, usually I will work for a food van, or the festival itself, to weasel myself a free ticket and sometimes even some cash out of the weekend.
Over time my festival priorities have changed. Where I used to go to every one I could, this New Years Eve, I will be at a wedding instead of the Tasmanian Falls Festival (where I would have been driving international bands to and from the airport/hotel/festival site). And I’m ok with that, in fact I’m bloody excited about the wedding.
My expectations for festivals have also changed. I’m just about to enter my third trimester in my first pregnancy, so I’m looking for great family friendly festivals, I’m looking for entertainment during the day and I’m looking for seating.
Last weekend my husband, J, and I went to Queenscliff Music Festival. I did love it, but I’m also wondering if maybe I haven’t outgrown festivals a little bit. Here’s what I found:
Pros:
- Enjoying great live music.
- Market stalls.
- Great food.
- QMF is close to home (so I went home and napped when there wasn’t music on I wanted to see).
- QMF is right in town, so you don’t necessarily have to have a ticket to enjoy the festival vibes. Although you can’t access any of the big name acts.
- Out enjoying the elements. I love all kinds of weather and at festivals, you don’t have much choice but to embrace them.
Cons:
- Long weekend! I’m exhausted and feel the need to take days off so I can enjoy a weekend.
- Expensive. Once you’ve paid for your tickets, there’s still food, booze, keep sakes; I think I spent $150 over the weekend. (Although I didn’t buy a ticket or booze)
- Being torn between different acts. Festivals often have multiple stages, with many if the bands over lapping their sets. How do you choose? Do you have to? We tend to do a few half sets.
What do you think? Are music festivals for you?
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