There are certain things I want to like for a wide variety of reasons. Reasons such as, it’s fun or it’s good for me or even it’s just a way to pass the time. In my advanced age, I have realized, some shit just isn’t my jam. The latest addition to my ever-growing list is music festivals.
I have long contemplated the appeal and weighed the pros and cons of music festivals. Two or more days with thousands of people, listening to a wide variety of good music, whilst drinking and singing like you know how. This seems like a good time, right? After two days of sitting on the ground for 10 hours, mixed with standing in the pouring rain and trekking through the mud to get to gross port-a-potties with no toilet paper, I can say with a resounding, “No!” this is not my idea of a good time.
To be fair, the music was great. The headliner was also one of my very favorite performers, Chris Stapleton. He did not disappoint. The man is perfection.
It should be noted his talent is so vast he even made me (and everyone around me) sound good. I can’t carry a tune to save my life, but I have never sounded better as I belted out the words to Nobody to Blame and Cold. I was on fire. Luckily the rain had stopped, because Mother Nature also knew, Chris deserved it.
The real crux of me and music festivals is I need order. Music Festivals are chaotic. I need a seat that is all mine and I would also like to be home, in bed by 11 p.m. However, more important than both of those things, I need to be dry. This is crucial. I was none of these things for 48 hours. What I was, was very uncomfortable.
Luckily, we had friends attending this musical extravaganza and they were great company. They also helped me take my mind off how miserable I was. Chatting with them in between acts was great. Thank goodness they were there. Had it been just Brett and me, I would have bitched the whole time. Yes. I’m honest.
Also on the upside, the food and drinks were good, though outrageously expensive. Here’s a fun fact: A club wrap will get very slimy in the pouring rain. The shell basically turns into snot. Yum.
Festivals are also a major viewing challenge for all five feet one inch of me. I never get a good view. It never fails the tallest person at the whole damn show will stand in front of me. Every. Damn. Time. It is a phenomenon that has fascinated my husband for 30 years.
I know lots of festival people. They live for it. I have never really asked them what they think of the downside (as I see it) of festivals—rain, prices, sitting on the ground, bad views, etc. I guess for them the music outweighs everything. I don’t think I can say that. I wish I could.
I do enjoy live music and want more of it in my life. However, I’m going to need a roof over my head and dry underwear. I don’t think that is too much to ask. So, for now, I will file music festivals next to yoga on the things I want to like but are not my jam.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
