Before the festival began we posted a few helpful hints to get the most out of the marathon weekend that is Lollapalooza…tips and tricks we compiled after countless road trips, concerts, late nights, early mornings, hangovers, injuries, lost cars, lost people, and all-around debauchery. The notes that follow are a recap (in no particular order) of our observations and adventures in and around Grant Park last weekend.

1. Chicago cab drivers are remarkably talented. We met one who sang to us; one who danced; several that told us we were beautiful in a foreign language; a drummer; a gymnast; and one that made the best McDonald’s French fries e-v-e-r  appear out of nowhere, sharing them with us. Admittedly, that last one was at 3 AM after Lolla After-party stop #4, but who wouldn’t have the munchies then?

2. A crowd of thousands can be evacuated rather quickly and orderly when impending doom (aka Lollapocolypse)  descends upon you. We may chuckle about it now, but when torrential rain, 80-mph wind gusts and water spouts join the party, it’s time to take cover, and quick! [Note: this is also the best time for a private guided tour through the art museum. After all, it’s all about culture! Thanks Angel!]

     

3. Perry Ferrell and crew know how to run an organization. Not only did they keep us festival-goers safe, but rumor has it Perry himself handed out free 3-day passes for next year to make up for missed sets caused by the storm. That, along with a top-notch app, friendly & helpful staff, reasonably-priced food/drinks/merch, environmentally-friendly initiatives, and really listening to consumer feedback each year to make the next one better than ever, are just a few of the many reasons this event is so successful.

4a. Leaving the festival early, with the sole purpose of cleaning up and getting in line at one of the more popular after-parties 90 minutes early, with a confirmed RSVP, does not guarantee you won’t be 2344^th in line at a venue with 800 max capacity. Lesson learned.

4b. Sometimes the best of nights happen after you don’t make it to your first choice event. While we may not have made  it in to see Passion Pit, we did enjoy a tasty margarita or two at an out-of-the way neighborhood Mexican restaurant, were treated to a surprise round of drinks from the manager at Debonair Social Club, danced the night away at Angels & Kings, and still managed to catch the last half of Cee Lo Green’s performance at the Hard Rock Hotel. Unforgettable!

5. Pillow fights, no matter how old you are, are fun!

6. Girls from Buffalo, NY are particularly fond of turtles.

7. Maurice’s sunglasses really get around…

 

8. Thankfully, not every hotel has a leak on the 7^th floor.

9. So many artists, both seasoned and emerging, to keep on our radar in the coming months. A few highlights here…points to our readers that guess correctly.

10. #Lolla2013 already in the works…hope to see you there!

Every August, the city of Chicago is descended upon by thousands of people looking for fun, music and the ultimate festival experience that is Lollapalooza. We have put together this little survival guide to help you squeeze as much out of your experience at the festival, whether it be for one day or all three.

 This summer is on track to be one of the hottest to date. Being outside for 10+ hours can have serious implications if you aren’t careful. One of the most important tips we can provide is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Did we mention that you should drink a lot of water? This year the festival guidelines stipulate that you may bring in 2 factory sealed 1 liter water bottles and an empty Camel Bak. Refilling stations are located throughout Grant Park.

 Make sure you use the one to one ratio with alcohol. One bottle of water for each beer or other tasty beverage you consume. A great rule of thumb is to save the heaviest drinking for after sundown. Remember this is a marathon not a sprint. You want to be able to enjoy all that is Lolla, including the full day of music and after parties. Remember Sun + Tequila = Hot mess. Passing out on the lawn after two hours, not only insures that you will hate that you spent a fortune on tickets and didn’t see anyone but the openers, but also will likely result in a killer sunburn. Which brings us to the next tip:

 

Sunscreen. Non-aerosol can. Most people aren’t prepared to spend 20 hours in the sun over two/three days. I say two days, because it never fails to rain at least one day at this festival. Being prepared for both intense sun and rain can be tricky. Small hand held umbrellas are allowed, but we recommend a small poncho. You can pick one up cheap at a dollar store. You wont be blocking the view of others, and if you get muddy/ messy you can throw it away with less guilt.

 A small bottle of hand sanitizer/ travel pack of baby wipes to wash your hands before you eat. We always try to schedule trips to the food areas before/after lunch and dinner rushes.

 Familiarize yourself with the lay out of the grounds early. Scope out areas to rest in the shade. We always bring a small sheet or blanket to lay on. Take a breath during the festival and take it all in (and rest your feet)! Dress according to the weather. Function over fashion as far as footwear is concerned ladies. (Flip-flops or Toms, just no heels or platforms.)

 

Remember when you were in kindergarten and you had to line up to go anywhere, holding a rope with knots, counting off each person every couple of feet making sure no one got left behind? While this may be effective, (and entertaining to those of us around you) it simply isn’t practical. You should map out a meet up place just in case you should get separated from the group. Maybe pick someplace other than the fountain or a stage area where there are 30,000 other people. Cell phone towers always get backed up at Lolla, making it impossible to get texts in a timely fashion. Unless you make your friends wear leashes or ‘If Found Return To’ Tshirts… mapping a meeting spot isn’t a bad idea.

 Lolla is an experience that only happens once a year. Make sure you take lots of pictures to document the memories. Have a great and safe weekend.