GOLDRUSH 2018: Signs You’re Having a Good Time

by Sophie Allen / @ohheyitssopha

Your hydration pack is… well, packed!

The key to an easy festival is in your hydration pack preparation. You know those celebrity “what’s in my bag?” graphics you see in magazines? Well, here’s my “what’s in my Vibedration?”

1. WATER! Fill up as soon as you get into the show and keep it full all night. Nothing is more important — especially in Arizona!
2. A lighter. Even if you don’t need one; nothing makes me happier than knowing I can reach in my bag quick when someone shouts “who has a lighter?!” at random into the crowd.
3. An unopened pack of gum. It has to be sealed for security to let it in, so I’d recommend grabbing one of those deal packs of three separate sealed gum packages before a weekend fest so you have a new pack of gum to take in each day.
4. On that note, a sealed chapstick. This is essential for dusty festivals like Goldrush!
5. Hair ties. Even if you have two in your hair, it’s best to have some backups! If not for you, then for the girl next to you who wore her hair down and has some regrets.
6. Something warm. I usually bring in a pashmina or a big t-shirt in case I get chilly! Even in Arizona, sometimes that drop in temperature from day to night is enough to make me a little cold. Better to have it and not need it
7. A backup battery (and charging cords!). If you bring anything into a festival that needs to be charged, chances are it will die while you’re there. In some cases, that isn’t the worst thing, but with things like your cell phone, battery life can be a little more important! I have a little backup charging battery that “holds two full charges” for my devices so I can share it with a friend
8. A LightSoundDemension hat, probably. My boyfriend stops at this vendor at every festival he attends. All of the hat designs are 100% unique — he never makes the same one twice! So, naturally, my boyfriend grabs two at a time. I usually have to find some extra room in my backpack for one of them — it’s always good to save some space for festival goodies

You’re getting glitter on everyone you hug.

One of my favorite parts of multi-day festivals is getting ready for them! Accessorizing is the easiest way to elevate your festival look. A go-to is definitely glitter, but when you choose to sparkle please pick up some biodegradable shine! There’s some on Amazon and a few ravewear sites. Another easy accessory is kandi — it’s DIY and helps bring the fam together! Throwing a kandi party a few nights before a show to stock up on cute bracelets to trade is a simple way to get excited for a fest while actually prepping for it. Another one of my favorite accessories for Arizona festivals is bandannas. They’re great for keeping the dust off of your face, and at Goldrush it only makes you look more on-theme! Lastly, fans are a cute accessory that really come in handy in the middle of a sweaty crowd or waiting in line for something to eat!

Your sunglasses have raindrops on them.

If you went to this year’s Goldrush festival, you’d know that it rained — that’s right, rained! In Arizona! — on day two. Because I’m so used to festivals here always being sunny and hot, I didn’t even think to check the forecast, which is something I’d highly recommend doing before spending hours outside like we do! Many people brought ponchos and raincoats, but if you could ignore the drizzle like I did, you’d have gotten to experience incredible sets like Medasin, Ekali, Louis the Child, Slander, Troyboi and Illenium in the light rain. Honestly, it made the day even more magical and added a chill vibe to the second day of the festival — I wouldn’t trade it!

Your legs are tired.

If your legs are tired you’ve been doing something right! If you’re like me and just keep your feet movin’ all night, I’d remind you to wear shoes with support. I have a great pair of rubber lace-up boots that can withstand any weather and give my feet a little bit of extra help. I see so many people hit the festival in Converse and Vans — which are so cute, don’t get me wrong! — but throw a pair of supportive soles in there and thank me later! Shoes with not too much grip on the bottom are perfect for shuffling — I got busy to some good house this weekend even though I can’t really dance! Another tip is to buy some ibuprofen for festivals that last longer than one day. It can be helpful to take some before bed on that middle night so you don’t wake up all stiff for day two! Staying hydrated is another great way to keep the blood pumpin’ and stave off cramps.

You’re hungry.

You’ve been dancing all night, you’ve filled your Vibedration a few times, maybe gotten a refill on your pop, but now it’s time for some real sustenance. Good thing festivals are the absolute best place to grab a bite. One of my favorite stops at every show is Gypsy Cup: a cute, little coffee truck with just the espresso drinks you need to keep your feet moving until the show ends. Some classic eats for pretty cheap include pizza, hotdogs, and loaded fries — but I’d definitely recommend checking out the Greek food trucks, BBQ, taco stands, and donut shops, too, because the best food doesn’t usually come from the venue snack shack.

You’re surrounded by people you love.

The best way to enjoy a festival is surrounded by a quality rave family. I think the concept of a “rave family” can be a bit intimidating, especially to new ravers. It always looks like everyone who goes to shows comes in squads of 50, all wearing coordinated outfits, at least one has a media pass and a DSLR, and everyone always looks like they’re having the best time! But it’s so much easier to surround yourself with cool people than you think. An easy way to make a group of friends into a “rave fam” is to make or buy a totem that all of you can easily recognize and meet up with at the festival. It’s a great way to spend the festival with your friends without the pressure of needing to have eyes on your whole group at all times — if anyone wants to check out a different stage, they know how to find you later! You can also plan your schedules out beforehand to plan which sets you’ll “squad up” at and which you’ll be seeing with a smaller group so you know when you’ll be meeting up. Not sure if you have enough people to make the rave fam of your dreams? Check out Twitter! So many people post about upcoming shows they’ll be going to and many local people are down to carpool to festivals like Goldrush out at Rawhide! I met almost all of my squad for Goldrush 2018 via Twitter and they’ve turned into some of my best friends!

You’re happy right where you are.

Some of the most difficult things about large festivals are the set conflicts! Here’s how I handled my Goldrush experience, and I hope that it might help you manage your next show.

1. A few days before the show, check out the day-by-day lineup. Festivals usually post these about a week before so you have some time to “plan” your festival. Take this opportunity to write down ALL of the people you want to see, regardless of conflicts.
2. Prioritize. This can mean comparing lineups with friends, taking note of who you’ve seen recently and who you may be seeing at a festival coming up, or simply going back through your lineup and picking out who you really want to see.
3. Arrive at the show early on the first day. Even if doors open two hours before the first person you want to see comes on, there are other openers and plenty of activities to explore.
4. Check out the DJs playing the earliest sets. Sometimes these are local area producers who are being showcased.
5. During the show, do what makes your heart happy. If you meant to leave a set halfway through to catch someone else but you’re having an amazing time, why go? There will be more shows, more festivals, more opportunities to see that other person if you really want to. Are all of your friends headed to one stage but you really want to check out a different set? Pick a central meeting spot and plan to get back with your group after you’ve seen who you wanted to see. It’s your festival! You paid to be here so you should get to see exactly who you want. I saw incredible sets from Blossom, Said the Sky, Liquid Stranger, Ekali, and Troyboi all because I followed my heart in the moment instead of my original plan.
6. Don’t forget to wander past stages you didn’t even plan to go to! Sometimes hearing a set from across the way can be enough to pull you over and have a great time. This happened to me a few times at the smallest Goldrush stage, Wagon Wheel, with artists like Dark Mark and SAAS.

You’re ready for your next show!

If the lights go up at 1 a.m. on day two and you just can’t wait until next year’s Goldrush for your next show, you’re in luck — Arizona hosts events like this all the time. I’ll be headed to BOO! in October: Rawhide’s Halloween-themed festival with headliners like Blunts and Blondes, 1788L, Kayzo, and more. Later in the year, Rawhide will host Decadence for New Year’s Eve, and the lineup is already incredible so be sure to check that out, as well! It always helps to buy your ticket early, but watch out for deals on Facebook and Twitter, as festival promoters post two-for-one deals every so often that are great if you have a friend who wants to go with you!