1. TAMPONS (or whatever you prefer): Yeah, I’m going straight here, but for good reason.  Chances are, you’re going to be at that festival all day and night, and that means at least one trip to the porta potty.  This is one place you do NOT want to be unprepared.  Even if it’s not your time of the month, I can almost guarantee you that it’ll be someone else’s and she will be begging the line for help.  Help a fellow music loving gal out, it’ll create a better experience for all of us.  Tampax Pearl is the way to go.  Oh, and Midol couldn’t hurt either.

2. LIP BALM.  Long, hot, and dry days in the sun will have your lips shriveling up faster than you’d imagine.  When you’ve run out of money for overpriced water, it’s best to keep those smoochers hydrated with some balm!  When you finally squeeze your way into the front row, you’ll be all smiles when your favorite singer makes eye contact with you.  Smith’s Rosebud Salve is a godsend!

3. FACE TOWELETTES.  Festivals are dirty.  Like, really dirty.  It’s fun to embrace the grime, and you sort of need to in order to have any fun at all, but that doesn’t mean you need a mud mask.  A pack of face towelettes will help refresh you and your skin.  It’s best to go minimal with makeup anyway, so you shouldn’t have to worry about wiping off a layer of face.  Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes are gentle, yet effective, and I highly recommend sticking some in your bag.

4. WATERPROOF MASCARA.  I know, I just said to go minimal with makeup, but I didn’t say you had to go completely bare!  If you’re comfortable with a blank canvas, more power to you, but I know most ladies need at least a little paint to feel comfortable.  Waterproof mascara can be a pain for daily wear, but for festivals, it’s definitely an essential.  We’re going to keep it drugstore price-friendly here with Maybelline’s Volum’Express Waterproof Mascara, which will keep the raccoon eyes away and give you a fierce gaze.  Falsies is my fave!

5. A GOOD BRA (or bikini top):  Festivals = lots of dancing, jumping, slipping, and sliding.  You don’t want to be held back for fear of too much jiggle or a wardrobe malfunction!  A sturdy bra is absolutely vital to a flaw-free festival experience.  You may also choose to wear a bikini top (there is a decent chance you will get sprayed with a hose at some point), and in that case, make sure your ties are tight!  Bra-wise, Playtex Secrets Perfect Flex Underwire Bra is a great choice.  It’s comfortable without sacrificing shape or low-cut tops, and perfect for your next fest.

6. HAIR TIES: It might be seem obvious, but if extra hair ties aren’t on your checklist, you’ll be sorry later on.  You may lose your morals in a big crowd, but you definitely do not want to lose your one and only hair tie.  Keep an extra few in your bag or back pocket, your neck (or your friends) will thank you later.  I swear by Scünci No Damage hair ties.

7. DRY SHAMPOO:  This one’s especially important if you’re going to a festival like Bonnaroo (which ended yesterday, but next year you’ll be ready), where you may be camping out for a few days.  If you’re not going to have access to a shower, dry shampoo will keep the bounce in your locks and the grease to a minimum.  Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo not only works great, but it smells amazing too.

8. COMFORTABLE SHOES:  Strappy sandals are cute, but they’re not going to be so cute with broken and bloody toes.  Unless you’re planning on picnicking the whole time with your $9 nachos, you’re going to need a good pair of sneakers (or boots) to get by.  You don’t have to wear clunky mom shoes; Vans Lo Pros are sleek and don’t even need any breaking in.  They also come in, like, a bazillion different colors and styles.

9. CHANGE PURSE:  You’re probably going to need something to carry all of the mini must-haves with you, and a change purse is the easiest way to go.  You can fold up your bills and stick them right next to your tampons, hair ties, and whatever download cards you pick up throughout the day.  Might as well go with Blue Q’s cat butts one (though there are plenty of other designs too, I GUESS).

10. DISPOSABLE CAMERA:  You don’t want to have your expensive digital camera knocked out of your hand when a mosh pit suddenly opens up next to you and limbs start flying.  It may be the 21st century, but disposable cameras are still out there and the underexposed pictures still look kind of awesome, especially when they’re taken at a music festival.  Take photos of the bands, your friends, and whatever weird people/things you come across, and hang them in your room so the memories last forever.  Awww.  Fujifilm to the rescue!

There you have it, ladies.  You’re good to go for festival season, so have the most fun for me, okay?  And keep an eye out in the coming weeks for MORE festival essentials!

The post 10 Must-Have Music Festival Essentials for Girls appeared first on JamSpreader.

It’s that time of year again: FESTIVAL SEASON! For those of you lucky enough to attend a summer music festival, the best way to have an unforgettable time is to be prepared, and we thought we’d make your lives easier by listing out the essentials! So snatch these must-haves up and have an amazing time!

1) SUNGLASSES: It may seem like a given, but you’d be surprised at just how many people forget these, and complain for the rest of the day about how “it’s too bright” and how they “can’t even see anything!” Don’t be “that guy.”  My personal suggestion? Urban Boundaries Eyewear Aviators. Affordable and functional, offer the darkest and biggest protection from the sun, so you won’t be squinting into the light anytime soon.

2) SUNSCREEN: This probably seems like even more of a given than the last one, but if the past has taught me anything, it’s that you will always almost forget sunscreen and end up regretting it the next day when you look (and feel) like a lobster.  Avoid the burn with Banana Boat Sport Spray, which is easy to apply AND prank-proof for those friends who like to leave spots uncovered on your back.

3) WATER: Music festivals are notorious for overcharging for literally everything, so stick it to the man in style with an adorable BPA-Free Bobble water bottle!  It comes in a rainbow of colors and is promised to keep you both hydrated AND rich.

4) HAND SANITIZER: Since the dawn of time (okay, fine, maybe since like…the 60’s…) festivals have been a gathering place for dirty hippies, earth muffins, and just plain old music lovers to come together in peace. Stay happy, healthy, and smelling fresh with a Bath & Body Works “PocketBac,” which comes in countless different scents AND a holder to latch onto any backpack or beltloop you deem fit!

5) BUG SPRAY: No one likes creepy-crawlies, especially when they’re feeling particularly “bite-y.” Save yourself from the itch and sting of pests with some scented “Off!” bug spray – you’ll be smelling like a rose but not attracting bugs like one!

6) TOILET PAPER: Now, I consider us all friends here, so I think a little potty talk is acceptable, don’t you? Great. Take it from me: if you’re going to a music festival, bring some extra TP. There is nothing – I repeat, NOTHING worse than finally getting to the John after an hour long wait only to find that you can’t even wipe. Now, if you don’t want to let everyone know just how much you love to “squeeze the Charmin,” try a to-go pack!

7) PORTABLE CELL PHONE CHARGER: It’s a fact of life – when you’re at a festival, your phone WILL die, and it WILL piss you off for the rest of the day.  Why not just avoid that altogether with a portable cell phone charger – one that’s cheetah print, nonetheless?!

8) FIRST AID KIT: Let’s face it – if you’re having as much fun as you SHOULD be having at a music festival, you’re going to need a first aid kit.  Best to keep a little tiny one in you’re pocket, because really, nothing is more of a buzzkill than a hospital visit, hamiright?

9) LIGHTERS: Not for that, man! (Okay, fine…maybe a little bit for that…) but mainly, always have a lighter for a concert so you can hold it up during the inevitable cover of “Freebird” that a band or fellow drunken concertgoer will serenade you with.  Having a legit lighter is SO much better than those cell phone lighter apps that everyone has nowadays, go oldschool with an actual one, and bring a couple extras!

10) A FLASK: Don’t look at me like that. This is, hands down, the best way to get wastey-pants and you know it. End of story.

So, there ya have it, folks! HAPPY FESTIVAL SEASON!

The post Top 10 Basic Music Festival Essentials appeared first on JamSpreader.

Another music festival proved that it’s time to whip out the big guns this year!  The legendary RockNess music festival has just announced that they have added even MORE big names to this years lineup!  In addition to the already-announced setlist of both indie rock AND EDM artists, RockNess has officially stated that concertgoers will also be treated to performances by Steve Aoki, Fatboy Slim, Madeon, Above & Beyond, Julio Bashmore, and Magnetic Man duo Skream and Benga!  Now, here’s the REAL question: who’s buying me a ticket?!

The post RockNess Adds EDM Legends To 2013 Lineup appeared first on JamSpreader.

Concert season is rapidly approaching, and the people over at the Bottle Rock Music Festival took out the big guns for this spring’s debut show.  The festivals organizers have announced the headliners as The Black Keys, Cake, and The Flaming Lips, with supporting acts of Alabama Shakes, The Shins, Ben Harper and Rodrigo y Gabriella.  The four-day Napa Valley musical extravaganza going from May 9-12 will see the likes of over 40 acts that will be announced at a later date.  Tickets go on sale this Sunday, February 3^rd, so make sure to snatch them up early, because this sounds like an experience that should not be missed!

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