My response to anyone who asks me why I don’t like festivals has always been, “Man I like to shower.” Because let’s be honest, the idea of sleeping in a tent on a wine farm for four days has never been my idea of fun.
But 2017 is the year I’ve decided to start doing the things I’ve always wanted to try, and a music festival was one of them. So I decided to go with one of the most popular festivals in Cape Town. Rocking The Daisies.
Now anyone who knows me will tell you, I like to have my shit organised (Okay, not my room, but in other aspects of my life) I like to go into things knowing exactly what to expect…However this was not the case for Daisies. I had no idea what to pack, how to pack, how people camp, what food to take with. It gave me a lot of unnecessary anxiety. So of course, when in doubt, I turned to Facebook. I asked my friends what they recommend packing for a festival, and they really did come through.
If you pack one thing and one thing only to a music festival, let it be WET WIPES. These will save your life. And no matter how much you like showers, you’ll probably only end up showering once or maybe twice in four days. Believe me, the lines are long, which mean no morning showers (Which is when you’re sober and want to shower) I showered at 5pm in the afternoon, drunk af, trying to wash myself- but there was no line. So unless you’re keen to break your party buzz to shower, wet wipes will help you keep your personal hygiene in tact.
I suggest Facial Wipes (Cherubs just released an amazing range of bio-degradable facial wipes) and Intimate Wipes for your lady bits. (Clicks has a good range, as well as Lil-lets)
You need warm clothes. Trust. It may be summer, but wine farms get cold at night. One raincoat and a hoodie is all you need, as well as a good, thick pair of jeans. Pack in an extra blanket with your sleeping bag, to keep nice and warm in your tent.
Going to a festival is basically signing up for 4 days of non-stop drinking. That’s all good and well, but you wanna take care of your body too. Pack in some liver tablets (Essentiale is what I use, GOODBYE HANGOVERS!) It’ll help your body process the toxins you’re digesting and take a six pack of water. You’ll be surprised how much water you’ll want to drink.
Of course, festivals have become a big fashion show. When I was packing, I was worried I was gonna look too “bougee” at the festival. But TBH, I looked like a homeless person in comparison to some of the other girls there. THEY WENT ALL OUT. They were on fleek. It was great. Pack your pretty lacy outfits, your flower crowns, maxi skirts and cute hippie jackets. Don’t pack: Your favourite pair of shoes. It’s dusty AF there, they won’t make it out alive.
Speaking of dust, it’s all you’ll be breathing for four days straight, pack some tissues to keep those nasal passages clear. Or even better pack a bandana to cover your mouth and nose while you’re on the dance floor.
I laughed when someone told me to bring a fanny pack (Although i packed one anyways.) but then I got there, and everyone was wearing one. And I figured out why pretty fast. They keep your valuables so safe and they’re tied around your waist, so you can’t lose it. And it serves as 100% protection from pickpockets!
The worst thing I think, were the toilets. They’re porte-potties. Now I’m sure I don’t have to explain how gross those can get at music festivals. Pack your own toilet paper, hand sanitiser and always use the toilets right at the back (most of the time drunk people are too lazy to walk that far and mess them up.)
If you want to be able to take pictures and have a working phone for the weekend, pack a good portable charger (They’re lifesavers).
And the most important thing is to get comfortable with partying by yourself. You’ll lose your friends, a few times. There’s no point in looking for them, you’ll only be reunited by chance. I spent majority of this weekend jamming hard, all by myself. And it was cool actually. The music was good, I had alcohol and you see people you know all the time so you’re never really alone.
All in all, my first festival experience was amazing. Would I do it again? Probably, but I’d buy a more luxurious camping package- I have needs, you know. But it was awesome. Thanks Rocking The Daisies for rocking my world.
Nadine Naturally 