25 TIPS FOR COACHELLA NEWBIES (2013 VERSION)

1. Wear sunblock, as well as chapstick with SPF or your lips WILL burn.

2. Drink water and then more water.

3. Wear the comfiest shoes you can find. Closed-toe shoes are essential if you're going to try to get near the front of the stages at night, so your feet don't get stepped on.

4. Choose the right clothing: light clothing during the day, and bring long sleeves at night. (It's a desert, it can get a little chilly for some.)

5. Arrive in a good mood, this is going to be a good weekend for you.

6. Book your hotel or camping spot early. Sleeping options can often sell out more quickly than tickets.

7. Shower (please for the love of god). Your neighbors in the crowd will thank you.

8. Eat and take a break. Sit down.

9. Save drinking large amounts of alcohol till afterwards, because the sun will kill/drain you.

10. It's smart to buy the t shirts/merch you want early. They often sell out at night and the lines are very long. Locker rentals are available to keep stuff in during the day (but don't leave vinyl because it will melt).

11. Expect to wait in the morning at the entrance gate in long slow moving lines. Either arrive way early or relax and take your time.

12. Don't be a scarface and try to smuggle crazy ass drugs in there. While relatively lax, security/police do escort people out from time to time, and that would be a bummer of a weekend for you.

13. Don't "push your way" up front. This is kinda important. If there is an artist you want to see, get to that stage while the artist before is still on and just wait it out, you just may end up see something else you like too. In other words, don't be the asshole.

14. Have a physical meeting spot with your party, because your cell phone reception is spotty at best.

15. Bring sunglasses.

16. Know that you WILL miss some acts you wanna see. But do move around to the different stages and see as much as possible.

17. Expect LOTS of traffic to and from festival grounds. Have patience.

18. Buy your 3 day pass as early as you can. Coachella has sold out in the past, but not every year. Board mod Psychic Friend usually gives a warning of sorts somewhere in the message board, if things are getting close.

19. Don't lose your digital camera. In case you do lose it, to help the good folks at lost and found, you can take a photo of your contact information and have it on the camera... it could be you holding up a sign with your phone number, email, whatever.

20. Don't forget condoms.

21. Limit your time in the beer gardens. They are well away from the stages and over-priced, and you will be missing out on a ton of musical fun.

22. Get sleep.

23. Print out a set times schedule and keep it in your pocket, or save the schedule on your phone. Circle or highlight the bands you want to see so that you don't forget. (They will have printed schedules there, but sometimes it's difficult to find them so it's better to just already have one.)

24. Plan any of your tent signings early, and prepare to wait for your favorite, but don't go nuts at the signing tent, you'll miss lots of music. Artists and the signing tent run way late and there are always cancellations throughout the day.

25. Bring more cash than you think you will need.

Bonus tips:

26. When possible, don't wear a backpack. Especially in the crowds near any stage. Unless you are working, you should leave it at the hotel, tent, or even a locker. The person behind you will be glad you don't bump them every time you decide to dance a little. Plus, it's one more security check you'll have to do.

27. Hats might be a good idea for sun protection, but don't wear something obnoxiously big that will block the view for those behind you.

28. NEVER text "Where are you?" or any text that requires a response because by the time you get one, your friend won't be where they said they'd be. Text affirmative statements such as "Meet at Sahara Tent at 6:30pm" or "Meet in beer garden by main stage at 8pm". Finally, time stamp your texts because ambiguous times like "Meet me in 20 minutes" doesn't mean a damn thing.

29. Give yourself enough time to go from one side of the Polo Grounds to the other. It's a bigger area than you think, especially if you're going from the VIP or Main Stage area to the Sahara tent.

30. If you choose to write on cars in the parking lot - please - keep it on the glass, the dust will scratch most paint. You and your friends can still marvel at your jr high bathroom drawings without doing any damage to someone's car. It's a win-win.

31. Consider bringing something for chafing. You'll be doing a lot of walking around. Try Goldbond body powder, Chamois Butt'r, Monistat anti-chafing cream, or Bodyglide sticks (runners use them). Lots of men like using underarmor or other brand compression underwear. (Tip credit: PlayaDelWes, JustSteve and weeklymix)

32. Bring supplies for the portopotties: hand sanitizer, wet wipes, seat covers, p-mates for the ladies, and toilet paper can all be lifesavers because the portopoties will likely run out of supplies early in the day. (Tip credit: jlandgren and koryp)

33. If you have glasses, bring both extra contacts and contact solution as well as eye glasses. The desert air is super drying. (Tip credit: Ha.SK)

34. Bring earplugs. Your ears will thank you when you're standing right next to the speaker of an especially loud set.

35. Ibuprofen can be a lifesaver for muscle aches, accidental sunburn, or headaches.

36. Baby wipes or face wipes can help to keep you refreshed, especially to wipe off sunscreen, sweat and grime when the sun sets. (Tip credit: ivankay and whynotsmile99)

37. The toilet trailers have flushable toilets and are air conditioned.

38. If you have allergies of any kind, bring Benadryl/Claritin/Sudafed. All the dry grass and dust in the air can be a killer. (Tip credit: lizng and The Dude)

39. Consider bringing a way to recharge your cell phone. Having to constantly search for a signal will drain your battery quickly. Turn off 3G/4G/Bluetooth/Wifi unless you really need it, to save your battery. There are usually tents that offer recharging stations, but that's time taken away from listening to good music.

40. Fanny packs are super convenient for carrying stuff without getting in the way. (Tip credit: ashleysmashley and amyzzz)

41. Consider using a car finder app on your phone, or making a point of writing down directions to your car. You'd be surprised how easy it is to forget after 12 hours. (Tip credit: baily)

42. Make sure to bring any medications in their original bottles. Otherwise, security will confiscate it. (Tip credit: ChristinaStelly)


***Credit goes to CDUB for this whole post. Thanks CDUB!***

Also, read the weather report and plan accordingly in case, you know, it ends up being 50 degrees, rainy and windy.

I hate when anyone does one of these they always say stay out of the beer gardens. I have the most fun in there getting drunk.

Tip: do not keep any vinyl purchases in your car... You can pay to ship them or keep them at record store until fest is over

Oh yes, mentioned above but worth stating again, DO NOT use the paint for decorating your car on anything but glass/windows, it will ruin your car's paintjob if you do.

Turn 3g off on your phone and only use it to find friends. Turn it off while you sleep. You can have it last all weekend if you are smart.

2013: The Year Tip #37 Became Not-So-Secret

I always love when this list comes out. Makes Coachella more real! It is getting closer :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nosurprises12

2013: The Year Tip #37 Became Not-So-Secret

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Shhhh....

Don't get too wasted before the fest.

If you are wasted by 2 p.m., you will not make it until the end of the night. If you do, you will be a shitfaced pile of garbage and won't remember any of the performances you saw.

Just take it easy throughout the day, have some waters in between drinks and drugs, and be responsible.

LADIES: I recommend bringing some sort of feminine cleaning wipes. My fiance can't live without them at festivals. The bathrooms are nasty, clean yourself up after you use them for god's sake.

the trailers don't exist

no toilet trailers this year. :(

Wait, what???

14/28 - I had zero issues with cell phone service last year. calls went through and texts went through right away (i have verizon).

18 - this needs to be updated to reflect the near-instant sell outs that have been happening.

37 - definitely one of the most important things. not sure why this isn't more well-known.

the beer gardens aren't that bad. the ones by the main stage have speakers in them, so you can still hear the music, and see it from (relatively) far away. i would avoid the beer garden by the Sahara though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SepaGroove

LADIES: I recommend bringing some sort of feminine cleaning wipes. My fiance can't live without them at festivals. The bathrooms are nasty, clean yourself up after you use them for god's sake.

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These come in handy for guys too.

This reminded me to order a stash of p-mates.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SepaGroove

Don't get too wasted before the fest.

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I can attest to the fact that you will in fact have a shitty time for the duration of the festival if you plan on getting blitzed that Thursday night. No need to rush.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nyarlathotoats

I can attest to the fact that you will in fact have a shitty time for the duration of the festival if you plan on getting blitzed that Thursday night. No need to rush.

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Well I actually meant not getting too wasted before you enter the festival.

Like drinking in the campgrounds, parking lot, etc.

oh. well, in any case, it can't be stressed enough that heavy drinking/drug use at an outdoor all-day festival is probably a bad idea. moderation is key

Especially when that sun is beating down on you all day.

Things can get very rough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Courtney

1. Wear sunblock, as well as chapstick with SPF or your lips WILL burn.

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Word of warning: Last year, a fatass old security guy took my spray-on sunblock on the last day, insisting I had filled it with vodka (I'm 40 -- I can BUY vodka). He wasn't impressed by my explanation that sunblock contains alcohol or my insistence that he prove it by taking a swig.

So I had to buy the overpriced goop-y shit they sell in the festival.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alysiarenee

no toilet trailers this year. :(

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Say it ain't so!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nosurprises12

2013: The Year Tip #37 Became Not-So-Secret

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yah, please delete this!

should have just titled this 42 tips for coachella newbies...

Don't forget your thickets!

it's so! there were too many plumbing issues last year or something. i guess one flooded at one point. apparently people can't poop and flush while on drugs. :(

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alysiarenee

no toilet trailers this year. :(

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Do you have a source for this? If you can share where you read this with a link, I will update the original post.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deanlnds

should have just titled this 42 tips for coachella newbies...

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It's a tradition!

A tip for not losing your phone is to buy those nintendo wii/ds wrist straps and attach one end to your pants and the other to your phone.Attachment 8702
It helped out a lot last year! But I believe for iphone 5 and/or galaxy s3 require specialized straps or cases.

I'd ad:
- To tie in with the bit about bringing plenty of wet-wipes etc... Clean up after yourself if you make a mess in the porto-potties, those coming after would greatly appreciate it. Good Karma.

- No matter how cute she is please don't put her on your shoulders. SURE, she can see but it just pisses off everyone who is now staring at the back of a bitch-pole. So annoying.