How To Plan For a Music Festival: 5 Things to Do

Excited for a weekend party with your favourite artists? Ahead of RedFextDXB, we take a look at some of the best ways to prepare and plan for a music festival in Dubai

Posted on

27 January 2020

| Last updated on 27 January 2020

5 Things to Do Before Going to a Music Festival

Planning on heading to a music festival in the UAE? There are some pre-festival things you need to know

Going to a music festival in Dubai takes some planning. Though a concert or large-scale music event is fun for the most part, be prepared to endure the crowds, brave long hours on your feet, and anticipate unforeseen events.

But it's all well worth it for a weekend of music and experiences you'll never forget. This February 6 - 7 at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, the UAE's #1 hot music festival is returning for its 7th run with a star-studded lineup of some of the biggest names in music right now.

RedFestDXB is back for another two-day weekend party, and here are some of our tried-and-true music festival tips, including what to pack, what to do if you lose your friends, things to consider, and more.

1. Pack the essentials

Bring an external charger

You don't want to spend your time at a music festival searching high and low through the venue for a working outlet. Missing a stellar show from singers and bands you love can be quite the mood-killer, so it's recommended you invest in an external charger so you can extend your phone's battery life without worrying about FOMO.

Carry easy-to-eat foods

If you're allowed to bring a few snacks inside the venue, bring your own things to nibble on, such as energy bars, chips, or trail mix. Stock up on water at the festival or your favorite sports drink before the shows start.

What to bring to a music festival in Dubai

Sanitary products

The bathroom situation at music festivals can be unpredictable. Think - long queues to the women's toilets or it could be located far from where you're standing. You'll want to have on you some hand sanitizer, gums, bandages, and tissues or wet wipes.

2. Work out your festival plan

Music festivals like RedFestDXB feature a lineup of many artists. To make the most of your weekend, decide which artists you want to watch, check if their scheduled performance matches your plans, and book your tickets ahead. Knowing the festival schedule will also help you strategize your bathroom, water, and food breaks so you can avoid stressing if whether or not you will miss your favourite singer.

If you really want to make your festival experience a smooth one, take a photo of the venue layout and use it as a reference. There may be times when you can't spot a staff member who is available so you can ask for assistance. Work out where you can go for help - a reception area, information desk, the entrance, security post, etc.

3. Watch your wardrobe

It's fun to plan your concert wardrobe. In fact, it's a fantastic time to be playful with how you dress. But there are a few festival outfit tips that can make your night an enjoyable one. Here a few key outfit items where you might want to prioritise comfort over fashion:

Don't underestimate the fanny pack

While your shoulder bag or backpack might pair well with your festival wardrobe, you will wish you had a crossbody, bum bag, or fanny pack with you. The convenience, practicality, and compact size will pay off throughout the night. Preferably, pick one with internal pockets to store your cash, cards, keys, NOL card, valet parking ticket, or concert pass - this helps provide you with some peace of mind on the safety of your valuables

Switch out for sneakers

If you're not used to dancing or standing in heels, you'll want to wear sneakers or boots at your next music festival. Your feet will stay comfortable throughout the night as you walk, dance, jump, and run. If it's a standing event, know that it's inevitable that crowds will step on your gladiator sandals or open-toe shoes, and it will hurt.

4. Plan with your friends

If you're going with some friends to the festival, decide which acts you all want to see, which performances the others may want to leave the crowd and relax from, as well as the go-to spot where you will wait for everyone else to show up.

You may lose track of your friends, so it's best to assign a dedicated meet-up spot at the venue if communication becomes difficult.

5. Know your transportation

Now that you've gotten your tickets, confirmed with your crew, know what to pack and what to do, you'll need to know your route heading to the venue. Thankfully, Dubai's public transport system can connect you to a wide range of popular concert venues. Check Dubai metro timings for the day of the festival as well as RTA public bus routes.

If you're going with friends, see if you all can carpool together heading to the festival and going home, as these events can run well into the early morning. RedFestDXB will be closing its 2020 run with Dany Neville, Virgin Radio's master of The Fix and one of the UAE's favourite DJs.

Tickets now on sale

RedFestDXB tickets are now on sale starting from AED 395 per person, available at Virgin Megastore online, Virgin Megastores across the UAE, Platinumlist, 800 Tickets, and Book My Show.

The festival has no age limit, however, children 12 years old and below must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more details, visit: https://www.redfestdxb.com/