Spring is here, and with it comes the unofficial kick off of music festival season. Last week, thousands of music fans traveled to Austin for SXSW 2012 Music Week to see more than 2,000 artists perform all over the city. The streets are shut down, and every bar, hotel and street corner is filled with musicians and fans discovering new acts and checking out some of their favorite bands for free.

While you may think of SX as home to indie rock bands, we actually saw a ton of DJs and electronic music at this year’s festival, with people especially excited about Skrillex, Neon Indianand Miike Snow. With the electro genre becoming more and more mainstream, we weren’t surprised to see this year’s three-day Ultra Music Festival in Miami sell out months in advance. With headliners including Tiesto, Justice and David Guetta and dozens of other artists, demand is soaring – more than 2,500 tickets have been purchased on StubHub so far. This is a massive jump from last year, when less than 600 tickets were purchased. Compare that to 2010, when we saw less than 100 buyers on StubHub for this event.

(Skrillex at SXSW 2012 via: http://www.elektrodaily.com/news/2012/03/elektros-sxsw-recap/)

It’s clear that demand for this genre is growing exponentially, and not just here in the U.S. – it’s a trend spanning from Dubai to Hong Kong, the Philippines and beyond. Everyone loves electro! Check out our festival tips as you head out to UMF this weekend, and get your tickets here if you haven’t already. If you’re not the festival type, but are looking to join the fun, there are a ton ofafter parties you can grab tickets for instead. Either way, better get your dancing pants on!

I’m back with Part II of my Q&A with Michael Pingel. Today we’ve got some great suggestions for those of you who are heading out to camping festivals this year. We know you’re already brave enough to sleep in the elements for a few days, but why risk forgetting anything when these tips could make your weekend great!

Michael hanging out at his fully-stocked campsite during Wakarusa 2010 in Arkansas.

JF: You’ve already shared some great tips for daytime festivals – but what about the ones where fans will camp overnight?

MP: For the most part, these festivals are held in remote locations, and unless you want to become a scavenger by the last day you’d better be overly prepared. If you think you’ll go through a case of bottled water, pack two. If you think you’ll change your socks and drawers once a day, pack another pair just in case. There are also questions you must ask yourself before departing:

1. Where will I sleep? Tent camping is most common, but also the least comfortable, and chances of sleeping in are slim to none. Most festivals include tent camping in the admission fee, and some offer a VIP upgrade to a location that may offer more relief from the elements. Most also offer limited RV camping, but passes sell out quickly. RV is the way to go if you want to enjoy comfort while you’re there.
2. How will I feed myself? Vending options tend to resemble a local county fair. If bringing your own food, check the festival website to ensure small grills are allowed – most do not allow open fire pits. Also, make sure you have a plan to keep your perishable goods fresh. Ice is typically available in the campgrounds, but melts fast. A quick trip to a dry ice factory will save your bacon and eggs come Sunday morning.
3. Will I be camping near my car? If the festival doesn’t allow you to park near your campsite you’ll want to bring something with wheels (wagon, wheel barrel, dolly, etc.) to move your gear. If you can park and camp in the same location, be careful that your car doesn’t get blocked in. You never know when an emergency trip to the nearest Wal-Mart or 7-11 will be necessary.
4. Where’s the nearest convenience store? If I was a betting man, I’d bet more than 75% of festival attendees will make at least one run to the store for something they ran out of or forgot. Use your favorite online mapping application to locate these spots. 
5. How will I recharge my electronics? You’ll be in the middle of nowhere, so will you really need to stay in touch with anyone not at the festival? If you absolutely need to connect with the outside world, consider portable charging devices that use batteries, and buy a lot of batteries. Car chargers work, but the last thing you want is to drain your car battery charging a cell phone.

JF: Those are definitely helpfully things to keep in mind! Are there any other things you’d recommend for the overnighters?

MP: Absolutely! Other very important things to remember:

1. A campsite identifier – There is nothing that will turn a great day of music into a miserable night of wandering if you can’t locate your tent. Take some time to build a 10-12-foot pole and attach a unique flag to it. The most important part is to remember what flag you put on the pole.  Make sure yours is unique!
2. Potable and non-potable water – Most festivals offer showers or bathing options for campers.  There is usually a small fee for these facilities and lines can be very long. Bring a large jug of water to dump on your head so you can avoid the fees and lines. You’re just going to get dirty again, so why bother showering?
3. Flashlight/lantern/head light – It’s going to get dark while at the festival and there are many trip hazards on the grounds. An injury will be the biggest buzz kill at a festival. 
4. Chair/hammock/stool – You probably won’t be able to bring a lounging device into the actual concert area, but you’ll need a place to take a load off at your campsite. Build some rest time into your day so you can make it to the late night shows and dance the night away.

JF: Any last tips you have for those heading out to festivals this year?

MP: Yes, make sure you have a full tank of gas! Chances are very strong that there will be a line of cars waiting to get into the grounds and you’ll be in traffic for a long time. Fill your tank before you get in this line of traffic. You won’t want to hear your car chugging for gas when you want to leave.  Jumper cables are also handy.

Thanks to Michael for his really helpful tips. Hopefully this will help you find even more enjoyment at your music festival of choice this year.

It’s still pretty darn cold across much of the country, but that isn’t stopping the excitement bubbling up for spring and summer’s most anticipated outdoor music events. Coachella, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands and Life is Good may seem far away – but they’ll be here before you know it! Today I thought I’d get us in the mood for warm weather and great live music by sharing a Q&A I recently did with PJ Perdaems, our manager of Field Operations and Special Events. He’s a seasoned Stubber, who ventured to his first festival last year, Bonnaroo, and his tips may prove helpful if you’re looking forward to attending your first music festival this year!

StubHub’s Manager of Field Operations and Special Events PJ Perdaems

JF: So, we know you made your festival debut at Bonnaroo – was it really the first and only one you’ve been to?

PJ: I was given the opportunity to attend three music festivals last year.  I started with Bonnaroo, then found myself at Outside Lands and finally at Life is Good.  The only other time I went to a “music festival” was Music Midtown in Atlanta when I was in my 20’s, and I went to see two bands and wander around with my friends.  I might as well been going to the mall.  I am now 40 and prefer the club level to the pit any day, so I had no idea what I was in for.

JF: What was your first impression? 

PJ: My first impression was being struck by the realization that I had clearly chosen to start out at the biggest event of the year. Similar to how the Daytona 500 opens up NASCAR’s season, mine was a baptism by fire. I went big right out of the box. With nearly 100,000 fans going four days straight with continuous music in multiple locations, it is a music buffet.  There is truly something for every taste including a pleasant surprise of stand-up comedy.

Tough job: PJ (standing front and center) and fellow Stubbers take a break from the music to hang out at the StubHub Sports Lounge.

JF: Sounds like you had quite the experience at Bonnaroo! Was it your favorite festival of the summer? 

PJ: Outside Lands was my personal favorite – great location, beautiful surroundings, a true enchanted forest.  I enjoyed knowing that by midnight the music would be done, since I don’t have the stamina to keep the music adventure going till 4 a.m. anymore.  I know there are many people who can, but for me I am glad I got to experience my first Girl Talk show at the reasonable hour of 9 p.m.  I know the true festival fan might scoff at this, but I like a few limits in life. Outside Lands is done in three days, the perfect amount of time to get in what you need and still leave you wanting more.  

JF: Sounds like these can run the gamut from partying all night to a more chill environment. In your opinion, are there any festivals that might be ok for families? 

PJ: In my opinion, Life is Good was the place for kids.  If you used to love Bonnaroo when you were wild and single, but now you have a career, a spouse and a 5-year-old, this is the place for you.  It is the friendliest and most inviting of all the events I attended.  There is no chance of being carried away in a sea of humanity, but you still get a very laid-back, fun vibe.  Life is Good was truly family friendly with great music for all ages.

JF: So, now that you’ve got three under your belt, what do you think is the best part of attending a festival? 

PJ: Value! Want to see Coldplay or Adele?  Why see one show of your favorite artist at a stadium, when you can get 20 or 100 more for about the same price or cheaper!

JF: What tips do you have for newbies to the scene? 

PJ: I have five tips for first timers: 

1) Start small. Similar to Music Midtown in Atlanta, there are music festivals in most major cities that you can visit for the day and not make the commitment of living out of your car or a tent for a week.

2) You may be going because you want to see your favorite band, but make sure to throw in a couple of other shows.  Stroll around and sample a song here or there and maybe you might find a sound you like.  I experienced the greatness of Girl Talk by doing this.

3) Make sure you don’t cut it too close between shows. If there are five minutes between the end of one show and the show you want to see on another stage, that is not enough time. Make sure you get value out of your ticket, but like a buffet if you try to eat everything you will get sick – so don’t overdo it!

4) Plan ahead for the weather and the long days. Sunblock, sunglasses, very comfortable shoes, cash, baby wipes, water and something to sit on (blanket, walking stool) are essential.  Most festivals are in warm weather so HYDRATE! (And remember: Beer is not hydrating.)

5) Go with the flow! Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you did not plan for.  A music festival is not the place for bad vibes, so take it in, let it flow over you and roll with it.  You might be surprised how much you enjoy it!  I know I was.

Thanks to PJ for being a good sport and sharing his experiences and tips as a first timer on the scene. For those of you who are seasoned pros when it comes to attending festivals, stay tuned – I’ll be doing a follow-up blog with festival veteran Michael Pingel. You just might learn a new thing about getting the most out of your music experience! In the meantime, what are some of your tips for festival first timers?