Let us show you the ropes.
Electric Picnic 2015 is just around the corner now, and plenty of you are bound to be gracing the fields of Stradbally for the first time in your life.
At JOE, we know what it’s like to be a festival first-timer, so we’ve put together a handy guide of things you need to know to make the most of your first Electric Picnic.
1) Choose your campsite wisely
Once you get through the turnstiles, there’s a vast expanse of land where you’ll make your nest for the weekend.
While you don’t want to give yourself a half an hour walk to the main arena, if you get too close you’ll be awoken early every morning by the inescapably loud amusement park rides stationed just outside the main arena (you’ll find your tent pretty easily though).
2) When you’re setting up your tent, don’t leave your beer outside
Have you ever heard of the beer fairy? She’s a bit like the tooth fairy, only she’ll take your beer or your wine or your vodka and leave you nothing but an extremely bitter start to what should be one of the best weekends of your year. Keep your beer within eyeshot when setting up your tent.
3) Don’t keep your vodka in a water bottle
While you’re not allowed to bring your vodka in its original glass container, storing it in a water bottle is almost as risky. Have you ever woken up at 6am with a dry mouth and a bottomless thirst, only to drink deeply from a bottle of vodka? It’ll give you trust issues to last you until EP2030. Keep water in a water bottle and vodka in a Coke bottle.
4) Wear pockets that close
Whether it’s raving until six a.m or moshing around in front of the main stage, you’re likely to lose some valuables. Try to wear flannel shirts, tracksuit legs, cargo shorts and other things with pockets that button up or zip so you can at least minimise the cash, cards, passports and phones you lose over the weekend.
5) Get the Electric Picnic app
The official festival app is released on Monday and it’s the one stop for everything you need over the weekend.
The coolest thing on it is the handy ‘Find My Friend’ feature in case you’re one of the people who ends up wandering off by yourself a lot.
6) You won’t regret bringing earplugs
Not everybody has it in them to party for the full 72+ hours of EP, and that’s perfectly okay. If you need sleep to enjoy your festival then earplugs are essential. Thousands of people in a field can generate an awful lot of noise when they’re having a good time. This way you can get some peace without having to be a Ross Gellar about it.
7) Work on your upper body strength
Nothing can prepare you for the walk from the bus/car to the campsite with a slab of cans, three days worth of clothes, a tent and a sleeping bag on your back – but with little over a week to go, you should give those shoulder muscles a work out now.
8) Throw your plans out the window
Be prepared to miss an act that you really wanted to see, only to discover your new favourite band. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes for cool things to do, so go with the flow and don’t feel like you’re missing out. Everything will be worth seeing and worth doing in its own way.
Looking to make this your best EP yet? 3Penthouse is coming. Step inside and explore this five room imaginarium devoted to fun! Play in ‘The Garden’, dance to the best tunes in ‘The Living Room’ or get a bird’s-eye view of your favourite act from The Balcony. Download 3Plus for more info.
*Main image via Ruth Medjber
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
