Image via Complex Original
Past and future Bonnaroovians, the time is upon us. On June 11, on a normally tranquil 700-acre farm in rural Tennessee, 850,000 music fans will converge for four days of sun-drenched revelry soundtracked by 150 performances across 10 stages. We’re super pumped for the 2015 Bonnaroo lineup, with artists as diverse as Kendrick, Jamie xx, Tears for Fears, D’Angelo, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, and Slayer (among many others) performing. Of course, there are also the myriad activities you can find at the comedy and cinema tents, slip ’n’ slides, and food trucks. But having a solid experience at Bonnaroo means more than just buying a ticket and showing up. The festival is smack dab in the heart of the Tennessee summer, so it will be hot and humid. There will also be dust. There will be mud. There will be bugs, rain (maybe, probably), and lots and lots of sun, so a little planning and a few tips and tricks can go a very long way. With that in mind, it’s time to listen up, ’Roo newbies and vets, because this is the 2015 Complex Bonnaroo Survival Guide.
How to Pack
A few necessities that you should definitely have with you: a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella, sunscreen and bug spray, sunglasses, water, a bandana, and a flashlight or headlamp. And what festival is complete without a few MacGyver gadgets to keep things running smoothly? A few toys we highly recommend include a Swiss army knife or multi-tool, and a solar charger or backup battery for your smartphones, tablets, and other electronics (Mophies are a popular choice). Camping stoves and solar showers are also a great way to save money and avoid long lines. Some intrepid chillers also bring along lightweight camping gear like backpacking hammocks and CamelBaks.
How to Find the Best Food
At a festival as big as Bonnaroo, there’s a good chance that every time you’re hungry, at least a few thousand people are also hungry, making planning ahead crucial. Try to snag a spot in line maybe 30 minutes before you plan to actually eat. It could be longer, but at least you’re already on the way to snacksville. What to eat? Prater’s BBQ is the reigning Bonnaroo champ, serving up righteous Tennessee barbecue (with veggie options, too). The donuts from the Amish Baking Company are well-loved, as is, (surprise, surprise) the free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream that’s traditionally served up around the fest. If you want to forgo the whole waiting for food ordeal, follow the lead of many veteran attendees and bring along a camping stove to cook up a proper campsite feast.
How to Stay Hydrated
This one is pretty simple, but is also important enough that it necessitates us actually writing it out for you. Drink A LOT of water—more than you think you need. While it’s totally safe to drink, the local water can sometimes smell a bit like sulfur, isn’t very cold, and may have a line. So we always advise bringing as many extra water bottles and jugs as you can before arriving. Here’s a pro tip: Freeze extra water bottles, and instead of ice packs, use them to keep your food cold. You can drink them once they melt.
How to Buy Things
Bring extra cash. ATM lines can be crazy long and might cause you to miss shows or fun events. Fortunately, some vendors are keeping up with prevailing tech trends and now accept virtual or credit card payment from services like Square, Paypal, and Apple Pay. The official Bonnaroo guide recommends bringing $250 for discretionary spending on merch, drinks, and unexpected snacks. We’d say a minimum of $100 and a max of $300 should keep your budget on point.
How to Find a Shower
While some attendees might choose to avoid bathing for the entirety of the festival, you’re a grown adult, so you’ll want to know how to find a shower at least once or twice. This year, showers are $10 with a general admission ticket, and can be had for $5 during the shower "happy hours," thanks to a Kohler sponsorship. And in an effort to make showering in public even more enjoyable, Kohler is hosting "Shower Parties," where attendees can both shower and party at the same time, thanks to Moxie shower heads with built-in Bluetooth speakers that pump out hits from the festival artists.