Survival Guide

There are some things you’ll want to consider as you’re packing your bags tonight in eager anticipation of the long trip out to the hot desert. Whether it’s your first trip or you are a well-seasoned veteran, this is your guide to the things you should do to make the most out of the weekend.

Have a strategy

You’re going to want to see certain bands, and you’re going to want to see some a lot more than others. Check when your favorites are on, and figure out a good schedule. If you absolutely cannot miss Jay-Z or Pavement, find a spot early and enjoy how close you’ll be when the show starts. Crowds form fast, so don’t be afraid to show up near the end of one band’s set and claim a good spot while the stagehands prepare for the acts you want to see. Pace yourself throughout the weekend; Coachella is a long festival, with three days of music starting around noon and ending after midnight each day. Sit down, eat snacks throughout the day and just have fun.

Beat The Heat

Coachella is notorious for being in a brutally hot and unforgiving climate for the festival audience. Each year people get terrible sunburns, and if they aren’t careful, they end up in the medical tent with heatstroke or heat exhaustion. So bring sunblock with a high SPF and apply it liberally every few hours. And don’t forget to hydrate. Drinking a bottle every two hours is good, but you’ll need to be drinking even more water than that if you older kids plan on imbibing at the beer gardens. Light-colored clothes, sunglasses and hats are also a lot more helpful than you think.

Eat economically

Food is expensive, and buying alcohol will drain your wallet faster than you can say Heineken. Bring snacks to keep in your car or at your camp site, and eat a decent breakfast every morning to give you the energy to keep on rocking. When you do have to buy food on the festival grounds, look for things heavy in protein to fill you up. With some smart planning, you won’t miss any of the bands you want to see and you can save some big bucks by eating smart.

Split up with your friends

If you’re going to Coachella, you’re likely going with a group of friends. The one and only problem with this is that even your best friend isn’t going to want to see all the same acts as you. Don’t let this stop you from splitting with your group to go and enjoy yourself on your own. Agree on a time and location to meet up again, and feel free to get lost in the crowds until then. Plus, you’ll likely meet some interesting people, like the Canadian guy wearing a cowboy hat.

Explore the grounds

Chances are you haven’t heard every band on this year’s bill, and there’s something refreshing and positive about discovering an awesome new band at a festival. If there’s an hour when you don’t know any of the bands playing, stage-hop until you find one that you enjoy. Plus, some of the most criminally underrated bands will be playing before 4 p.m., and there are plenty of musical gems waiting to be uncovered by you. The festival also offers plenty of interesting art exhibits, memorabilia and music to purchase.

Compiled by Christopher Robinson, A&E reporter.