Bamboozle Survival Guide

The Bamboozle festival is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year for most. I have been going to bamboozle for every year since 2006, you can say I kinda grew up with it. This year I wasn't really expecting to go, breaking my long streak of going to this festival. But as luck would have it, I'll be coving the festival for Buzznet with one of my friends, Becca (aka, GirlInTheRadioWaves). She's never been to Bamboozle before and we decided to do a little interview type thing for others who haven't been to Bamboozle either. 

Becca: First question is - do you have anything to say before I ask any questions?

Brittany: Be prepared.

Becca: Alright. Be prepared, how? Like how would you prepare to go to Bamboozle.

Brittany: Check the weather ahead of time. Check the times to figure out which bands you wanna see if you have to pick between two bands. Be warned that sometimes they might change the times of the band, but you can sign up for updates, I think. Does Bamboozle do that, too?

Becca: I’m not sure.  That might be something to look into, though.

Brittany: Write down the times for each of the bands and what stage they’re going to be on. And print out a map of the place before going so you have a good view, so you know where everything is.

Becca: Alright, so in terms of the weather, what happens if it rains? Could you bring an umbrella or a poncho should you need to?

Brittany: You can bring a poncho, I’m not sure about umbrellas.

Becca: Okay

Brittany: It rained, was it last year? I dunno.

Becca: How’d you handle that?

Brittany: It was cold but if it stops raining make sure to take off your jacket to let it dry, because that’s going to make you colder if you keep it on.

Becca: Are you allowed to bring sunscreen in?

Brittany: Always bring sunscreen!

Becca: Do they not allow any kinds of sunscreen? Because I know some places are like “well, you can’t bring aerosol.”

Brittany: Well, they sell little packets of sunscreen that’s like, it’s not in a tube - well I think they have tube ones, too - but they sell little packets at CVS and stuff, traveling sunscreen. I would get that. Don’t get spray sunscreen so that you can use it on your arms and on your face.  Make sure that the sunscreen you put on your face won’t make your eyes tear because you will be sweating and you might sweat off the sunscreen. Always keep extra sunscreen with you so you can reapply.  First Aid usually has sunscreen if you’re in really dire need.

(One of the types of sunscreen you can get)

Becca: Alright, in terms of packing - the difference between overpacking, underpacking, and packing just perfect.  Like when do you know that you’ve packed too many little gizmos and gadgets and little stuff that you think you might need?

Brittany: See it depends, because I usually don’t bring a bag, but you don’t really need your ipod. Just stick to the basics like a cellphone, money, wallet, if you wanna carry your wallet, ID, make sure you have your tickets, sunscreen, small camera, set times, and a map. I mean, you don’t really need to carry that much. Maybe sunglasses.

Becca: Would if be a good idea, if you needed to, bring a pen and paper maybe?

Brittany: Yeah, people in bands walk around all the time, if you wanna get autographs, it’s a quick way.

Becca: So that means maybe you should bring a sharpie, too?

Brittany: Yeah, a sharpie. I mean, most people carry sharpies if you don’t have one, so if you really want to get signatures, bring a sharpie. Bag wise, I wouldn’t bring too big of a bag.  The drawstring sports bags are usually a good bet. They’re cheap and easy to fold up.  And fanny packs are making a comeback because they’re easy.

Becca: That’s what she said.

Brittany: Purses, go with one that can go across you. I know people that have had their backpacks stolen off their backs.  Don’t know how that worked but you just have to be careful.  If you gonna go into the crowd, don’t bring that big of a bag.

Becca: How much money should you bring?  How much is a good amount, do you think?

Brittany: It depends, because food is kind of expensive, if you plan on eating, which most likely you will. Make sure you have enough money to be able to cover yourself all day.  Drinks, you really need to be hydrated.  If you wanna buy stuff bring extra money.  Always bring extra money because you never know when you’re going to need it. Fifty dollars, for the whole weekend maybe.

Becca: Fifty for a whole weekend?

Brittany: Maybe.

Becca: That’s not including merch?

Brittany: Yeah, not including merch. Fifty for three days maybe? I don’t know. I don’t really buy that much when I’m there.

Becca: In terms of the crowds there, what are the crowds like?

Brittany: Smaller stages, it’s rough. It’s like Warped tour, it’s rough. Smaller stages, I means if the band is bigger, like a big band on a small stage the crowd will be packed. If it’s a very unknown band, you might not have to worry. [It] might just be a couple of people, not that many.  Towards the end of the night when the headliners are on, there are, the crowds are really bad because everyone’s at the main stages.

Becca: So, when you’re tired and you just want to take a break, what are the best ways to go about finding a place to sit down and chill?  Do you just sit down in the middle of everything - well not the middle, but are there grassy plains to sit down in?

Brittany: No, I think it’s all gravel, because it’s in a parking lot.  But last year, or the year before, the stadium was open.  You could go in. They had food inside.  They had restrooms inside.  I’m not sure about the layout this year so I can’t really say about that, but you could sit in the stadium last year. Just try to find shade, really. If you’re feeling dehydrated, get drinks and sit. 

Becca: And you said you could go to the first aid place...

Brittany: Yeah, I mean, if there’s something really wrong with you, I’d go to first aid. They’ll check you out. If you’re under 18, they’ll have to call your parent, though, before they look at you. 

Becca: Alright, so, you said it’s like Warped Tour. How is it like Warped Tour versus how is it not like Warped Tour?

Brittany: It’s not like Warped Tour in the sense that, it’s the only one, so there’s a lot more people there which means it’s a lot more crowded. I mean, the layout’s bigger than Warped Tour. There’s also carnival rides now!  I think they have games, too - I’m not positive about that.

(Photo of The Starting Line playing Bamboozle 2007, photographer unknown)

Becca: That would explain the clown face that they have!

Brittany: Well the clown face has always been on it, but now they’re having carnival rides and games.

Becca: Have you been on any of the carnival rides?

Brittany: I strictly go for the music. Oh! Walk around to the stands. There’s free stuff all the time.  Lot’s of free stuff. Go to the booths.

Becca: What are some of the sponsors that you’ve seen in previous years?

Brittany: Wonka candy sponsored one year, but that was just for that year. They gave out free candy.  

Becca: Because I know that Trojan sometimes sponsors Warped Tour and they give out free condoms.

Brittany: I can’t think of the sponsors!

(Some of the sponsors this year)

Becca: Alright, well what are some of the charity sponsors? Like Keep-A-Breast.

Brittany: Peta, Keep-A-Breast, the Fuck Cancer ones, I’ve seen that..., To Write Love On Her Arms.

Becca: Speaking of sponsors, what type of street teaming have you seen?  Is that strictly at doors?  How’s that work?

Brittany: You’ll see the typical person walking around to get people to sign up band names.  A lot of bands will come and promote themselves outside the venue.

Becca: Are they not allowed inside the venue to promote?

Brittany: Not unless they have a ticket, I don’t think.  People that are there with bands, they’ll have posters.  I’ve seen stuff written on the pavement. They have a lot of posters up that say the set times for bands because a lot of people advertise. Yeah, people put up signs a lot.

Becca: Now, you said make a list of bands you really want to see, what about “other”?  Are there other things you should check out while you’re there besides bands?

Brittany: The comedy tent. The hypnotist guy was so funny!

Becca: Do you think he’ll be back this year?

Brittany: He is!  I think he’s on the list.  The Uncensored Hypnotist.  The comedy tent is actually also a tent so it’s out of the sun - which is awesome. 

(Uncensored Hypnotist last year at Bamboozle, Photo by graceface2010)

Becca: Are there any tents that have air conditioning to draw people inwards, check out their wares?

Brittany: I don’t think there was.  Yeah, I can’t recall any.

Becca: Actually, I just remembered, how should you dress?

Brittany: Comfortable shoes. Something you don’t mind being sweaty in.  You’re going to be in close areas with other people.  It depends on the weather.  A sweatshirt if it’s cold.

Becca: If you were to bring a backpack, should you bring a sweatshirt?

Brittany: Yeah. It get’s cold at night. I, usually when it’s nice out, I’ll wear capris or shorts, sneakers, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt.  If it’s colder, I’ll wear pants. I mean, it really depends on how comfortable you are when you’re in crowds.  If you know you get hot in crowds, wear less.

Becca: How do you dress so that you dress “nice” but are still dressed for a festival?

Brittany: I usually just wear what’s comfortable.  I mean, if you have like a nice tank top, that’s fine.  I don’t know. I guess it’s your own style, really.  Just be you!

Becca: Alright! Now we’re at the “do you just have anything else you want to say?”  Anything else you feel we haven’t touched on or you want to cover just a little bit more?

Brittany: If you see someone fall, pick them up.

Becca: So just be kind to your fellow human!

Brittany: Watch your surroundings because people do go down.  

Becca: So you’d be like a hero if you saw someone fall and you picked ‘em up!

Brittany: I’ve been on the ground and it sucks.

Becca: Well that’s a good word of advice! It’s like good karma, too!

Brittany: Yeah, just watch out for other people.

Becca: So you think you’re good?

Brittany: Watch for crowd surfers.

Just be careful, crowd surfing does happen like at any other show, just watch out. Wear something comfortable, it's an all day event. Drink lots of water! Sunscreen is always your friend. Most importantly, have fun, hang out with friends, listen to some good bands. Maybe even check out some bands you haven't heard of, you never know, you might come to find a new band to love!

If you're going to bamboozle and you see me or Becca wondering around, please come say hi! We promise, we are very friendly and love to meet other people on buzznet!