Music festivals offer grand getaway for music lovers of all walks of life

If the chance to attend a musical festival presents itself, take it.

Music festival season is right around the corner, which means some may begin to debate if attending a festival is worth the cost. With the growing popularity of music festivals, one may wonder if these events live up to the huge hype that surrounds them — which they do.

Attending a music festival isn’t only a fantastic way to discover new music, and maybe even see some of the best performers, but also a new way to spend time with friends and meet new people.

Anyone that has attended a music festival will say there’s an enormous feeling of community with other festival goers. A great festival experience consists of meeting people you normally never would.

From my experiences at festivals, I’ve met the likes of artists, DJs and even Danny Devito. One never knows whom they might run into at these events.

Attending a festival could also have a huge effect on one’s overall mood. “Examined Existence,” a website that explores the issues surrounding personal development, has reported on a variety of studies that show what music does to the brain.

Music has been shown to have an effect on the mind and overall health of those listening. Music releases dopamine in our brains, which is a hormone that results in happy feelings — that’s why our mood uplifts when we hear a favorite song. Going to a festival surrounded by music, and sharing this feeling with others, could especially enhance the mood.

The trickiest part about wanting to attend a festival is choosing the right one. The first thing to do is check the line-up. Find a festival that contains well-known acts, but also includes a variety of other performers.

Next, realize what type of venue in which the festival takes place. For example, Bonnaroo, a festival located in Tennessee, takes place on an old farm. Attendees camp out for four days while at the festival, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Instead, one may want to attend an event where he or she can commute from a hotel.

Make sure to do plenty of research before committing to an event. The weather could play a huge part in the experience, so remember to check what the area is like during the festival.

Lastly, make sure to have a great group of people to journey alongside. Sometimes, the road trip turns out to be the best part.