r/festivals

I am completely over the anxiety of festival ticket drop days. sat in the waiting room for EDC for almost an hour yesterday just to watch the Ga+ tier vanish the absolute second the progress bar finished

its an absolute joke that we still rely on clicking blurry pictures of crosswalks to prove we're human, while scalper scripts bypass everything and instantly list the same passes on stubhub for triple the price. dynamic pricing just makes it worse tbh. the platforms know exactly what is happening and they do not care because they get their fees anyway

had a bit of a sudden realization that the only way out of this ticketing hell is actual physical verification. apparently some artists are finally starting to use the world network to reserve ticket blocks exclusively for verified people instead of bots. I am so desperate to avoid scalpers at this point that I just checked the map for a local Orb to scan myself before the next big lineup drops

idk how else we fix this industry. I just want to dance in a sweaty field with my friends without having to take out a personal loan to pay off some random guy running a server rack in his basement.

Throw away account because people get so heated about this.

Something that has always bothered me since the surge in popularity of ketamine use, are people arguing that alcohol is worse and not acknowledging the impact that heavy ketamine use has on festivals and the culture surrounding them.

I guess I should of prefaced this with I've been going to festivals consistently since the 90s and have seen them evolve over  decades. Also, I only occasionally drink a few times a year and do love ketamine in certain settings. So this isn't a which substance is worse argument, I think any substance can become a problem depending on the usage.

Maybe I'm the old man yelling at clouds here, but I personally get a little disheartened looking around the dance floor and seeing people that can barely stand, needing a friend or tree to help them balance, seeing friends and acquaintances couch locked at camp for the entirety of the festival or on the ground sprawled out just dissociating at the stages (please no argument of "well how do you know they're on K" I know because I usually approach these people to see if they need help and I'm told by them or friends with them that they just had too big a rip of K).

So in conclusion I guess, is don't go pointing fingers and shaming people for usage of one thing and instead let's spread awareness and harm reduction in usage of all substances, so we can all continue to have a good time and keep everyone safe and the vibes up.

Romania may now seek to enforce the warrant through international judicial cooperation mechanisms

Less than three weeks to Bonnaroo 2026 and we got an exclusive interview with Bonnaroo's new Festival Director Shelby Goodsell and Marketing Manager Cory Smith to give us the most comprehensive inside look at what's changing, what's new, and what to expect on The Farm this year.

We cover the Where Stage move, the campsite changes, the new Bonnie Roo's Sports Bar, Thursday's unprecedented all-in-one programming, the Grateful Dead tribute set, bandanas at the toll booths, and much more. If you're going to Bonnaroo 2026 this is the episode you cannot miss.

Then don't forget, The What Podcast will be LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 on the How Stage inside Planet Roo, Thursday at 4PM. Come find us, hug and howdy, and maybe walk away with free giveaways from Lunchbox and an original I Am Bonnaroo print from David Bruce!

This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts! If you struggle with attention span, there are timestamps in the description so you can jump to specific sections and we regularly post short form video clips of the podcast to TikTok and Instagram Reels!

The What Podcast is the longest-running and highest-rated weekly video podcast covering Bonnaroo and the broader music festival scene! Hosted by Barry Courter and Bryan Stone, two music industry veterans, the show started in 2018 as a celebration of everything Bonnaroo. Since then, it has grown to explore North America's festival landscape and the touring industry at large. Join Barry and Bryan each week for insider stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and the latest news from the world of live music.

Planning on going to EDC for the first time next year! Have been to plenty of other festivals and have always wanted to full send EDC!

Any tips for a first timer? Is VIP worth it and how is hotels and all that!

Title sums it up.

For context I've done some drugs (recreationally ofc) but I never did LSD. I know that the high lasts longer but it can be pretty horrible and as someone who never took hallucinogens I'm looking for advice or someone's experience that I can use for guidance.

I've done weed, Molly, crystal mdma (which is the same ig), poppers, opioids, cocaine and ketamine.

I'm just worried that the experience is going to be too different from the ones I have and that I'll freak out and be fucked forever. That fear never really stopped me from trying anything (cough cocaine) but I'm still worried because, again, it's a hallucinogen and I've never tried one. Or if I did, I never had hallucinations.

I have friends who tried it and they all tell me to go for it and that it's awesome and that it's the longest high ever (which is what I'm after) but I want to get more opinions before setting my mind on it. Also I'd like to have some expectations of what could go right or wrong and wether it's better to do it in the safety of my room before the festival to try it out with a trip sitter or to just fuck around and find out at the festival. Probably the first option. I don't know really.

#advice please

Also I forgot, if it's fun to take more than just lsd I'm open to it

EDIT: the festival is four days but I'll only be staying for three since the last day is dj sets. So, question would it be safe to take more than once in those three days?

Alright. I’m in a predicament. Basically, me, my sister and her boyfriend have gotten pit tickets to see Cameron whitcomb. My boyfriend finally decided to go with us, and the pit tickets are sold out. I’m not sure what to do. How do I get tickets?

Long story short, we’re residents of Maui visiting Yosemite. Last-minute cancellations for originally intended plans leave us with two 3 day passes for Bottlerock

Is there anyone in the Yosemite valley currently or Fresno California that needs a pass in the next 24 hours. I know this seems like a longshot, but I know how people are with festivals. We have no time to mail it, so we could meet in person. DM if serious!! Mahalo!

My period was late, I didn't start my period delay tablets in time cos i was stressing about other things, I just started today and now I'm going to my first camping festival in two days and will be on my period for half of it. Fuck.

Ladies and others who bleed - top tips, practical advice, emotional support please. I can't use a cup. The festival is bearded theory which does have showers, thank the lord. How does one cope with aunt Flo joining them for a festival

https://preview.redd.it/aoaz9ykqd52h1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a638ffd575098a67c87153140eb816080c5a9751

hii, so i’m going to a one day festival in august (all points east). however, ive recently been having some mobility issues and i don’t know if ill be able to manage. i cant really stand for very long. i just really wanted some input or advice!! tysm

i’ve never been to a festival but atm i can do concerts but just barely, and only if i accept i’ll be totally wiped out for a few days afterwards. i was at a concert last week and i was stuck in bed for a few days afterwards. i would also be attending on my own so there wouldnt be anybody to help me travel back

how hard would this generally be on my body? obviously you guys dont know for sure as you don’t know me haha, but is it generally more intensive than concerts or not? i would imagine it is, but there are also more spaces to rest right? and i‘m assuming i could take breaks while acts are on. i know it will be calmer at the back of standing which is where im planning on staying, but are there any major differences between it and a concert? im coming a long way to london and its quite expensive for me so i dont want to come if i wont be able to manage it haha. and generally does anyone have any festival tips? :) thank you!!

Hello!!
I am so excited to be volunteering at the Northlands Music Festival in Nee Hampshire this year! I have never camped before at a festival as I’ve only ever been to Boston Calling and just drove in each day. If anyone has gone or volunteered before what are some tips or any tips for camping at a festival in general that would be greatly appreciated!!