In the northern hemisphere, summer festival season is almost upon us. As we take our rigs outside this season, let’s remember to take care of the most important equipment we have: ourselves.

I’ve spent many long weekends rocking festivals, and if I’ve learned anything at all it’s that I want to be comfortable while I do it. Here are some tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years to do festival season safely and in style.

Job One

Before I get into all the fun things, remember: safety comes first. It’s imperative to have a first aid kit which includes a handbook like the one issued by the nonprofit organization National Safety Council. You wouldn’t buy a piece of gear without reading the manual, so think of this as the manual for your first aid kit. It has the information for what to do in case of heat stroke, frostbite, dehydration, abrasions, bruises, etc.

In an emergency you don’t want to be racking your brains for information you heard one time in a CPR class years ago. Being able to handle a medical emergency until real medical professionals can arrive may save someone’s life. We’re not doing rocket surgery, but we can at least be prepared for a nasty cut.

Bring Snacks

When people ask me for a piece of wisdom from my two-decade career, I always say, “Bring snacks.” Buying food at a festival is quite expensive. The quality of available food, whether from a food truck or catering, varies widely from event to event. Neither is likely to be close to the stage.

If you’ve sent someone to bring you food, I guarantee it will take much longer than expected and your lunch will show up in the middle of a changeover. It’s a variation of Murphy’s Law that will leave you hungry. The solution is simple: bring your own food. Dry goods travel best, so I tend to keep trail mix, chips, cookies, crackers, protein bars, and rice crispy treats. It’s tempting to bring chocolate or candy, but it will melt all over your bag and you’ll be smelling it for years to come. Trust me.

For the discerning company owner, an ice chest with fresh fruits, hummus, or whatever your crew likes will have them singing your praises. In my experience, it takes very little in the way of hospitality to impress us.

Hydrate

You are not a cactus. Please hydrate. We joke a lot about how the human body is, essentially, a big bag of water. When you put a lot of them into a space they cause the temperature and humidity levels to rise. It’s a set of variables we solve for constantly.

But turn that line of thought back to yourself for a moment. When you are left out in the heat all day, the water gets used up and evaporates and dehydration can occur. Carrying a refillable water bottle is a great choice, if you can refill it. A wearable hydration pack (like CamelBak) is a step up from there, especially useful if you’re going to be on the move between stages or delay towers.

However, if you want to take care of the whole crew, ice chests are where it’s at. Someone out there has opinions about which coolers are the best, but I’ve used everything from styrofoam to Yeti and they all get the job done. Where and how you get the ice will vary across show sites. Stock up on bottled water and different flavors of something that has electrolytes.

Dehydration can happen quickly and the consequences are, quite literally, dire. This is truly about safety. Being dehydrated can cause you to become tired, lightheaded, dizzy, and confused. I don’t think I need to enumerate all the problems this can cause. Have a hydration plan for yourself and your crew.

Comforts Of Home?

Now that we’ve sorted food and water, it’s time to think about where we’re going to sit. While I have stated in the past that road cases make handy chairs, sitting on one for three days straight can leave you walking funny. A nice office chair is great for mixing, but a camping chair is more comfortable and will probably heat up a bit less. Again, options and opinions are numerous. A quick internet search should set you on the right path.

I’m not saying you should put a fully functioning window air conditioning unit in a road case. I am saying that I know a guy who did, and he’s very popular on festivals. There are plenty of portable air conditioners on the market, and it has never been easier to cool down Monitor World. Try it on a 112 degree day, and thank me later.

In addition to, or perhaps in lieu of, air conditioning, tilting floor fans are essential. Whether placed in front of your AC unit to steer the cool air or sitting on top of the doghouse, there are not enough good things to be said about a cool breeze on a sweltering day.

But wait! How can a cool breeze be effective if the sun is shining right in your face? Pop-up tents are your friend. Many of them come with attachable walls for those show sites where the sun pummels you from the side. They can also throw some shade across your fancy electronics, but think first and foremost about your head.

To protect the gear I recommend investing in a few space blankets. They reflect heat away from the consoles, which is quite helpful. If you happen to be in the desert they can do double duty and keep you warm after the sun goes down.

Gig Smarter

Getting your feet wet is more than a turn of phrase when talking about working outdoors, and nothing is quite as uncomfortable as walking around in wet socks all day. That’s why I keep at least one extra pair of socks in my backpack, and often an entire change of clothing.

Speaking of feet, wearing comfortable shoes is a must. I recently found a pair of steel toe shoes that look and feel more like sneakers than I ever would have imagined. You can even find orthopedic steel toes these days. It’s the best of safety, fashion, and comfort.

Moisture-wicking fabric is one of the best inventions of all time. Trying to wipe sweat off with a tiny band towel is nearly useless, but being sticky all day is gross. Clothes made from these types of fabric solves those issues. Generally you’ll find this type of clothing with athletic wear or in the camping section of a department store.

Beyond The Basics

There are so many little add-ons that can make your day nicer: cup holders that attach to mic stands, floor mats for when you have to stand, a kitchen in a work box, and a grill just to name a few. Check out other people’s setups, ask a friend, find what works for you.

We spend almost all our time thinking about what our clients and audiences need, but we can’t take care of others if we haven’t taken care of ourselves first. This summer let’s give ourselves the rockstar treatment we deserve. I’ll bring the snacks.