Music festivals are notorious for theft, so one of the best festival hacks is to bring a combination lock and lock the main zippers on your backpack. Alternatively, wrap your bag in tape for extra security.
It’s a common thing to lose friends at music festivals, and it can be frustrating to have to spend your entire time trying to find them. Make it easier on yourself by establishing a meet-up spot on the first day.
Most smartphones have batteries that only last a day or two, which means festival-goers need to recharge their devices multiple times a day in order to keep in contact with friends, take photos and record their favourite bands. Power banks are a much better alternative, with many of them boasting battery capacities that can easily see you through a whole weekend of festivals. For example, the MAGFAST Life has a 6,000 mAh capacity which is enough to fully charge a modern smartphone. Alternatively, Anker’s PowerCore 20000 has a huge 20,000 mAh battery and features both standard USB ports as well as Power Delivery compatibility so you can fast-charge your iPhone or Android device.
Many festivals have on-site phone charging vendors that provide lockers where you can leave your device while it charges, but the cost of this service can be quite high. Buying a decent power bank is a cheaper option that will be with you for years to come.
Solar Power Banks
A solar power bank is a portable battery that can charge devices via the sun. Its solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that charges the li-ion batteries. These are a great alternative to traditional power banks and can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, electrical grids, and other non-renewable resources. Solar power banks are typically small enough to fit into a backpack or carry bag and are convenient for travel and outdoor use.
They are easy to use and recharge. Simply plug in a device to be powered and keep the panel facing the sun to recharge. Most models also include indicators that show the efficiency of charging and discharge. They can be used to power USB devices or provide LED light. They are usually waterproof and have a rubber case for better grip and protection from fall damage.
Some models even have a built-in flashlight and can be used to navigate or signal for assistance in an emergency. These features make solar power banks useful for camping, hiking, or any activity in which the phone will be exposed to water, dust, or extreme temperatures. However, due to their complex solar components, they are more expensive than other power banks.
While solar power banks are becoming more affordable, it is still important to temper expectations for their solar charging capabilities. It will likely take multiple days of good sunny weather for most models to meaningfully charge a device. This is especially true for power banks with small solar panels.
Taking a power bank to a music festival is a smart move, especially if you will be spending long periods of time without electricity. Having a charged phone will ensure you can locate friends, communicate with people, and take videos of the bands performing. It will also allow you to stay connected to social media and upload photos of the experience for your friends to see.
Bin Bags
Whether you’re a seasoned Coachella or Lollapalooza goer or it’s your first festival and camping experience, there are some essential tips, tricks and hacks that can make your time at any music event more enjoyable. From the best ways to prepare for rain, to how to make a tent more secure and much more, these simple lifesavers will help to ensure that your music festival is the happiest and most fun you’ve ever had!
Bin bags are probably the most useful item you can bring to a festival. They are extremely versatile and can be used in so many different ways. For example, they’re great for keeping your rubbish separate, can be used as a make-do mac in sudden rain (just cut a hole in it) and they can be thrown over your tent if you think that the ground is likely to flood – it’s an easy way to keep your stuff dry!
Another really good use for bin bags is as a privacy screen. If you’re sharing a tent with someone else, string a load of cans together and clip them to the zipper of your tent – that way if anybody attempts to break in they’ll get a good dose of beer in their face. It’s a little gimmicky, but it can be an effective deterrent.
It’s also a really good idea to take a few bin bags to a music festival with you, so that you can use them as a place for everyone in your group to dispose of their litter. It will keep the campsite clean and tidy and it will also stop you from contributing to the massive waste that festivals cultivate.
Finally, a couple of bin bags can also be used to make your water bottles more cold, which can be one of the most difficult things to do at a music festival in hot weather. Simply put the bags inside your cooler and it’ll take them longer to melt than ice cubes, which will help to keep your drinks colder for longer. This is an especially good trick if you’re planning on drinking a lot of alcohol at the festival.
Frozen Water Bottles
Festival season is well underway and, whether you’re a veteran festival-goer or a first timer, it’s always worth being prepared for anything. From keeping yourself safe to organising your campsite, these TikTok hacks are sure to make your experience at music festivals even better.
A frozen water bottle is a great way to keep your drinks cold at a festival, but it can also be used as a handy cooler for other items. The Kitchn recommends placing a few frozen water bottles at the bottom of your cooler as they take longer to melt than ice cubes, and they will keep other drinks and food cold as well.
To freeze a plastic water bottle, simply place it in the freezer and leave it there for a few minutes. When the water is super cold, remove it from the freezer and strike it sharply against a surface. This causes a shock wave that encourages the molecules to latch onto one another and start freezing. This process is called nucleation and is the same principle that’s behind the creation of ice stalagmites.
Another handy tip is to spread a little salt over the ice before putting it in the fridge, as this lowers its freezing point and helps it melt more slowly. This means your ice will last much longer than usual, and it’s much easier to clean up at the end of the day when you’re packing up to head home.
Bringing a frozen water bottle is a fantastic way to stay hydrated at a festival, but it can also help you save money on expensive drink refills. By bringing a frozen water bottle, you can fill it up at a free water fountain and avoid paying for overpriced plastic bottles of water.
There are some claims that you shouldn’t freeze a plastic water bottle because it can release chemicals that lead to cancer, but this is false. It is impossible to get dioxins from plastic, and the freezing process actually hinders chemical release because it makes the molecules of the liquid more compact.
