First Coachella

[kleptolovestory]

this will be my first coachella. i'm so excited that i could burst. my friends and i will be making an 18 hour roadtrip out to california and camping onsite. Any helpful hints for a newbie?

[full on idle]

Don't pick things up that don't belong to you and put them in your pockets.

[suprefan]

watch out for aidz needlez

[Yablonowitz]

Do NOT try to bring a pen into the festival.

[amyzzz]

Go read the FAQ and the Questions forum.

[Mabdul Doobakus]

Trust no one.

[CuervoPH]

there will be many choices for food there. go with spicy pie and/or a teriyaki bowl.

oh yeah, and in 2004 I had some felafel that wasn't bad...but you can't go wrong with spicy pie or teriyaki bowls.

but if you follow the advice right above mine, you won't believe me.

[canexplain]

you are indeed in for a treat .. coachella is the best ... cr*****

[scotttray]

You'll have a blast. Last year was my first time and the thing that stands out to me was what a good vibe it was. Everyone was relaxed and respectful of each other. It was the first concert I've ever been to where I saw not one fight, not one person puking, and not one chick crying. I think this was due mainly to the low alcohol content of the crowd. I further think that this was due to the fact that beers were $7 ea. and the heat made it not wise to drink much. If everyone smokes out, everything is pretty mellow and happy and respectful of each other, regardless of what your into.

[mob roulette]

eat before you drop your purloined vicodin. have a plan for finding separated friends. have the hottest women in your party lead the way when you're attempting to sly your way closer to the stage ahead of the honest souls that were waiting there before you. do not ogle at b-list celebrities unless they are either vincent gallo or andy dick in which case you should be as blase as possible without appearing to be syncophantic. they likely have better drugs than you and might be able to wangle you an after-party invite. do not hassle the locals. the indio greyhound station is not the place to meet future potential mates and every employee of every shift at the palm springs starbucks is more than capable of kicking your ass.

that's all i can think of for now.

[amyzzz]

have the hottest women in your party lead the way when you're attempting to sly your way closer to the stage ahead of the honest souls that were waiting there before you.

awesome.

[Mabdul Doobakus]

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Also, since you're camping, both friends and enemies will likely smell. Bring one can of spray deoderant for each day.

[sddoctor]

bring a good pair of very comfortable shoes

sunglasses are a good idea too...it's bright

sunblock might be good if you burn too easily

alcohal...drink up before you get in, that's if you can stomach the heat with the alcohal...or you can wait 'til you're indside and pay for a $7 heineken.

remember to dance

have a fun time

[KenMixtape]

daytime at coachella & getting drunk are a bad mix. if you survive, you'll be wiped by sundown. find alternate methods of intoxication.

[sddoctor]

...or you can drink in moderation. A beer or two before the concert.

But, don't forget your water!

[ragingdave]

Bring in a good camera with a telephoto to get some closeup shots when you are far away from the stage. Bring extra water bottles (you'll need them!) and maybe an umbrella or parasol to keep the sun off you, especially when you are in the crowd near the stage.

[All That I Am]

arrange a meet up site, near the restrooms or by the tesla coil or something that sticks out. Cellphone reception gets crappy after like 3 pm and its impossible to make a call by 6.

Bring a pair of socks to change into as it makes your feet feel refreshed. (and confuses the hell out of the security checkpoint people).

bring sunblock and baby wipes, you can use them to towel off and it makes you feel better.

Don't drink during the day.

Don't miss Arcade Fire's set.

Do talk to random people, everyone is cool and having a good time.

[ragingdave]

Except Ken.

[arbouler]

^ha.

ive never been! im real stoked about this year!
i just need to bring deo, sunscreen, money, id, and condom.

where's kroqken btw?

[amyzzz]

Bring in a good camera with a telephoto to get some closeup shots when you are far away from the stage. Bring extra water bottles (you'll need them!) and maybe an umbrella or parasol to keep the sun off you, especially when you are in the crowd near the stage.

You can't bring cameras with removable lenses, and you will have to buy water bottles and parasols inside. They won't let you bring in your own water or parasols/umbrellas (depending on which line you're in).

[asancho]

This is also my first coachella (i just won tickets! Woo!)

i like the baby wipe/fresh sock idea, i know if going to be balls-sticking-to-the-side-of-my-leg hot, and i hate walking around for prolonged periods all sweaty and nasty...good idea

[pewter14]

NO Stuffed Animals!

(no really, that's in the rules.)

[Mabdul Doobakus]

Hang around the boards long enough and you are likely to come across people discussing outbreaks of various infectious diseases once thought to no longer exist in the United States. Most of these rumors are untrue.

But just to be safe, make sure your vaccinations are in order.

[full on idle]

Mabs I'm staring so hard at your avatar trying to figure out what it is can you post it bigger? Is it an armful of kitties?

[J~$$$]

Bring lube....lots of lube. The warming kind.

[Mabdul Doobakus]

I don't know what I'm doing, so hopefully this works...

[full on idle]

thank you.

[dorkfish]

you're a first coachella

[bmack86]

Dave's post made me laugh, and i woke up my roommate. Thanks Dave.

[NeverMyopic]

You can't bring cameras with removable lenses, and you will have to buy water bottles and parasols inside. They won't let you bring in your own water or parasols/umbrellas (depending on which line you're in).

Really, I never knew that about removable lenses.?. Why is that?
My friend brought in a very nice digital last year that has removable lenses - but she only had the one lense, so maybe they let her go. I wasn't near her as they wne tback to the different lines for different sexes.