My Experience Attending My First Festival
As someone who barely goes out, last year, I made myself a promise to be more outgoing, and even though I wouldn’t truly say I kept this promise, I had the opportunity to attend my first ever festival.
How did that happen if you may ask?
Well, a few weeks before Christmas, there were a lot of concerts, festivals, and the likes popping up and I didn’t really have much interest in going to anyone but then, one came up that was tagged “a food and arts festival” and I decided to go with a few friends just for the food and good music.
We quickly made plans and got ourselves the tickets which cost 1000 naira for the three days that it was holding, and that was approximately 2.41 dollars.
At that point, I was absolutely hyped because I had never been to a festival and I has so many expectations of “a party-like event” with good music.
Now, the first day came, and even though as an early bird I wanted to go on time, my friend stalled and we went about two hours late but, we were surprised that on getting there, it hadn’t started.
We began asking questions and it came to our knowledge that the time was shifted due to some sound and technical issues but, they failed to tell anyone.
It was a bit complicated because we had already paid for the ticket and if we left, we wouldn’t be able to come back due to the distance, so we waited for about an hour and had to give up, with a plan that we would probably just attend the last day.
One thing led to another, I had to have a meeting on the second day in the venue, so I was forced to attend and it was bad that I wasn’t with my friend, but shockingly enough, I had so much fun and there was so much good music, dancing, and the food made everything worth it.
The organizers trying to make up for the first day also had free drinks and gifts and who doesn’t like free stuff?, well, I left day two hyping the festival to my friends and we came to the last day with high hopes which kinda tanked.
On the last day, to promote the event, especially for the vendors, it was made free which annoyed everyone because for us that had to pay, we didn’t have the luxury of enjoying it as much due to the crowd.
There were no seats and even when we found seats, there was no shade, so we were practically tanning which wasn’t funny.
Also, the food was being rushed out due to the crowd and most of the things I paid for were not good enough so, we decided to leave early particularly because I started having a panic attack due to the crowd.
For my first festival, I wouldn’t say I had the greatest time, but one thing I can say is that I did enjoy the music which was the highlight of this festival.
I think one thing the organizer did very well was promoting local talent and there were so many great rappers, singers, dancers, and even instrumentalists.
They all put their best into their craft and I was so shocked because I didn't expect some to be that good.
Now, the question is will I be attending another one anytime soon? and the answer is probably not, I don’t think it’s my scene and unless my favorite artist is coming or I am dragged there, I will not be going to any more events with a crowd.
You might think that maybe I should give it another try but, the first experience has scarred me a bit and, I will rather just stay home.
This post was created after reading @mipiano's post, and if you are interested in reading it, you can check here
Everything seems so beautiful and colourful, especially the food. I love your post.
Thank you so much, I am glad you liked it.
It looks fun…but I understand not liking super crowded places, I would definitely wanna try it at least once. I’m mostly excited about the dodo though! 😝
I guess for someone who wouldn't mind the crowd, it could be pretty enjoyable but, for me, I didn't appreciate it
Also, dodo is amazing but that is bole; roasted plantains, with roasted fish and sauce, it is a delicacy for the Southerners and sometimes I'll say I prefer it to normal dodo.
I want to try all the food!!
For me it depends on how crowded. If I have room to move around I’m ok but I hate when I have people on top of me all the time. Still it’s good you tried it!
There are a lot of Nigerian food you should try, some are a bit spicy but totally worth it.
The crowd was a lot, like no space to move on the last day so it was too much but maybe ill try something different again.
I like spicy! As long as it’s not the kind of spicy that stays with you for hours hahaha. There are some chili’s which I can’t believe people eat but I haven’t experienced them so much.
Well, that true, I also like spicy but I don't want to die as a result 😆
Hey @khaleesii
Let's look at the festival from a positive side :))
Well, the technical issues from the first day are obviously a minus I would give them, but the second day was great. Free drinks and gifts, and you went home hyped!! Is there a better outcome? Hm, the third day - very crowded... maybe not a perfect scenery not having seats and shade, people eating up everything lol but c'mon, forget the third day hahah, and highlight the second day! :)
How did you know we would say toy this? :D
If this kind of festival was not your cup of tea, maybe there will be some different ones you would like. We can never say never again :)))
Thank you for bringing your experience with a festival, we appreciate your honesty and personal opinion 😎
P.S. Do I recognize someone behind the phone in the fourth photo?
I actually try to highlight the second day but when it's a three days thing, the two bad outshine the one good.
Also, I might try to attend another festival or concert but I don't know, I wouldn't say I like leaving my home especially when it might not be worth it.
I am not in the third picture but you can spot me in the second, if you look :))
Thank you so much for reading, I appreciate it.
Hahaah, yeah I know, two days win over one :D
Of course, I recognized you immediately, in the blue dress, second picture:))
But I was wondering if the girl behind the phone ( or taking a selfie) is Peaq hahaha. Those playful eyes reminded me of her :D
Oh, hehehe, the picture isn't peaq though, she lives in a state away.
The food looks so nice and tempting enough for you to give it another try. Who knows the next one might even be better. I love your genuinity in your post. Thank you for sharing 🧡
Some of the food was worth it so that might be a driving force but I feel like I could get them without going to the festival.
Who knows, I might try again, maybe, this year.
Thank you so much for reading :))
You're welcome love.
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Food is always a plus when going to festivals and these ones look really good.
They look really good and tasted even better.
But really I am glad you did went out as you envisaged this year. And now to a festival with sumptuous meals here and there.
@khaleesii I am sure you enjoyed yourself to the fullest..😀... You know if we remove the shade, crowd etc
I don't think it's possible to remove all that 😆 I am glad I tried but never again.
Food (and art): Three days! Darn: I wish we had that in my country. Oops, am lying, we have them, but not too often. We even have one food festival that goes on for a whole week. yummy :)
Your conclusion: I urge you to give a festival another try. Maybe try one with music as the main theme, one without all the food. Sure, some food would be nice, but this one seems to be a food festival with some music. A hint: try and get 'backstage' treatment :) I attended many many music festivals in my life. While at first, I was super ok with packed crowds, for the last decade or two, I tend to not be in the crowd most of the time. Either by spending my time at the less crowded stages/areas and from time to time receive special treatment with the allowance to be on the other side of the fences inside the event location. I do agree with you: Best is when the music is something you really like. I donno how many of these events are held in your 'area'; I urge you to experiment a little. And would be great when some friends join in as well :) When can we expect your next HIVE blog post in which you write about your next festival experience?
For a week? How do they keep people interested for that long?
Maybe I will try again, just because everyone keeps saying I should, and if I am going for just music, I doubt there are festivals for that, instead, it will be a concert.
Backstage passes, maybe, it might be expensive though but let's see.
The post might come soon, there aren't any right now though.
Backstage: don't buy them... arrange it :) Enlarge your friends circle with peeps that can make things happen for you :)
Week festival: Well the food one of a week, is without an entrance fee and visited by different peeps each day, except a few that will join in more than once. Once a year I go to a music festival that lasts for 6 days. None-stop music minus 1 hrs a day for cleaning purposes. My most favourite festival around (and I've seen many of such events in my life). I wish for this particular festival to last not just for 6 days, but for at least 2 full weeks. Obviously, we stay at the festival, make camp, usually the luxurious style with camper van and all. When having such an amount of time for such a festival, it's like spending a vacation. Nothing is a must. When for a day not interested to stand in the crowd at some music stage, one can just chill at 'home' or whatever without feeling the need to have to enjoy the music and festival since many days left for that still.
Repeat: Ok, we'll be reading about your next adventure soon {LOL}
This seems like a lot of planning, and I don't know how to Make friends but, I guess I have to push myself and try.
Also, I feel like the festival with a camp might be a better fit for me but there is none here so maybe if I ever travel to somewhere that happens, I'll surely rush to go.
Hopefully, I can push myself to go to something soon and remember to write.
You don't have to remind to write. We'll remind you at some stage :)
Just remind to get to your next festival event, that's mucho more important than a HIVE blog post :)
Thank you so much, I loved having this conversation with you.
🙇🎶
I attended my first music festival when I was 18 and it changed my life - I've been hooked on music festivals ever since! Sorry your experience wasn't great due to the crowd. Music festivals don't have to all be like this, some of them are very spread out and low-key. I hope you have a better experience if you attend another!
That's amazing, maybe ill get a moment that might make me hooked soon, I'll keep trying.