NEW YORK – Music festival season has arrived: a time to gather outside with friends, listening to tunes, dancing, and maybe even getting the chance to rub shoulders with musicians you love.
“Live music nourishes your soul and makes you feel truly alive,” says Chris Bro, host of the “Next” radio show in Maryland and a longtime fan of music festivals.
Making the most of the experience also means planning ahead for potential hazards like heat, dehydration, and more, say regular festival-goers and the medical pros who care for them.
The good news is music festivals are safer than ever, thanks to an increased focus on on-site medical staff and equipment, says Matt Friedman, national medical director at CrowdRx, which provides medical care at over 20 major music festivals around the country each year.
Different Festivals, Different Risks
Different types of festivals tend to have different types of medical emergencies, Friedman explains. Much depends on the type of music, the length of the festival, and the heat.
“Jazz music festivals tend to have a low medical-usage rate, whereas a heavy metal event will have more blunt traumas from mosh pits and alcohol-related incidents,” he says.
Electronic dance music festivals often have friendly crowds, but some attendees “occasionally overindulge or make poor decisions regarding stimulant drugs,” Friedman adds. Classical music festivals, meanwhile, tend to see more cardiac events, given the older average age of attendees.
Staying Safe at Festivals
“You want to have fun, but it’s really important to stay aware,” says Armelle Gloaguen, a musician who attended classic festivals like Clearwater, founded by Pete Seeger, and Woodstock ’94.
“Be there for the music, not the drugs and alcohol, if you want to remember any of it. Don’t accept food or drinks from strangers, and be aware of your limits,” advises Gloaguen, who owns “Armelle for Kids,” which seeks to bridge cultures through music.
Know the Rules, and Download the App
Festivals’ rules vary, so before you head out, check the parking situation and the list of what you can bring.
For example, Coachella, the annual festival in Indio, California, doesn’t allow chairs, outside food, or umbrellas. At Tanglewood, in western Massachusetts, attendees are welcome to bring chairs and picnics, and umbrellas are fine; they just can’t be over 6 feet across.
Download a festival’s app and bring a portable phone charger.
Once there, scope out the terrain. Keep an eye out for the nearest cooling station and medical tent as you figure out where to sit.
Handling the Heat
“First and foremost, we see a lot of heat-related illnesses, since temperatures in the desert can get pretty high and rise quickly,” says Julie Puzzo, assistant medical director of the emergency department at JFK Memorial Hospital, near Coachella.
“We see everything from heat cramps to heat stroke, which can be life-threatening,” she adds.
Hydrate consistently with electrolyte-containing beverages, she advises.
Wear layers, a hat, and other protective clothing, and avoid excessive alcohol. Opt for non-aerosol sunscreen, since many festival venues ban aerosol sprays.
Festivals where heat is an issue are sometimes equipped with mobile cold-water immersion tanks to cool people down quickly, Friedman says.
At multiday festivals, malnutrition can also be an issue. “People are running on adrenaline for the first two days, but by day three they realize they are dehydrated and exhausted and haven’t eaten nutritious food since they arrived, and this exacerbates any other conditions they might have,” he explains.
His top safety tip: Stick with your friends so you can watch out for one another.
Dress Wisely
Both doctors urge attendees to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, since attending a festival can involve more walking than you might expect. Plus, it’s easy to happen upon small stones or other sharp objects on the grounds.
“Trips and falls are common, and we see a lot of sprains and foot contusions,” warns Friedman.
Protect Your Senses
For anyone susceptible to respiratory problems, it’s wise to bring a backup inhaler, as dust-filled wind gusts can exacerbate breathing issues, says Puzzo.
Eye problems like corneal abrasions are not uncommon at festivals, according to Friedman, who recommends bringing large sunglasses or even goggles if it’s likely to be dusty.
Outdoor venues can get buggy, so consider insect repellent.
