Going to a music festival alone might sound daunting, but it can actually be one of the most rewarding ways to experience the music and culture. Riot Fest in Chicago was my first solo festival experience, and it was one of the best weekends of my life. I went to get comfortable enjoying things on my own and to practice making connections while traveling the U.S.
Even though I only knew the headliners, the punk, emo, and alt-rock lineup drew me in. I not only fell in love with the music, but also the incredible festival culture. I met an amazing group of people, and I can’t wait to return next year.
If you’ve been hesitant to go to a festival because you don’t have a crew, I can’t recommend soloing enough. It gives you the freedom to see who you want, go where you want, and do it all on your own schedule. Plus, so many people attend these events alone and are looking to connect with like-minded music lovers.
Prepping for the Pit
For a massive festival like Riot Fest, which can have up to three bands playing at any given time, a little prep goes a long way.
Discover the Music
Since I didn’t know most of the artists in the lineup, I turned to Spotify. Luckily, many fans curate playlists for each day of Riot Fest. I searched for one that included a few songs from every artist on the schedule. Skimming through the playlist during my hour-long commute was the best way to figure out which sets I absolutely had to catch.
Understand the Riot Fest Crowd
The Riot Fest scene is high energy, and the fans are fiercely committed. This culture is what makes the festival stand out! At nearly any set, you’ll find a mosh pit and a steady stream of crowd surfers. If you’re new to the punk festival scene, here are some of the essential ropes I learned in my first experience:
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The Mosh Pit: Riot Fest fans let loose, but they always look out for each other. Don’t step into the mosh pit if you’re not ready to get shoved around a bit. If someone falls, always pick them up. If you find yourself in the pit unexpectedly, don’t panic - just work your way toward the edge and get out.
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Crowd Surfers: During one set I attended, nearly half the crowd surfed over the barrier! People will often shout “I want up!” If you have the means, help them up to surf, but make sure to leave some space between surfers. During the same set, three crowd surfers got tangled up and nearly took out the whole group. Luckily, we got them through, but it was exhausting and I lost my left earring in the process.
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Engage with the Music: The bands feed off the energy of the crowd, and no one cares what you look like. Move your knees, bang your head, and have a good time!
What to Bring
Riot Fest has a pretty loose bag policy, so feel free to stock up!
Stay Hydrated!
Even at the end of summer, Chicago can still get hot. Staying hydrated is the best way to keep your energy up through 12 hours of head-thrashing music. Water Refill Stations are available and any empty water bottle is allowed into the festival. You can bring a good old Nalgene (a 1000ml would nearly get me through the whole day) or even a Camelbak backpack if you’re serious about your hydration.
Avoid the refill lines by hitting the line first thing upon arrival. The festival is pretty light on people during the opening sets from 11am-1pm. The refill line is long but it moves really fast.
Protect Your Ears and Skin
The music is loud (you will feel the bass in your chest) and runs nonstop for nearly 12 hours a day. I highly recommend investing in a pair of nice earplugs that will protect your ears without diminishing the sound quality. The New York Times has a fantastic guide to purchasing earplugs. I used the Loop Experience earplugs; they kept my ears from ringing, fit snugly, and didn’t fall out in the pit.
If you burn easily, sunscreen is essential. Riot Fest does offer some nice shaded areas within listening distance of the stages, but for a set, you’ll need the protection.
Securing Your Essentials
I opted for a small fanny pack swung over my shoulder to hold my essentials (sunscreen, phone, wallet, keys). When you’re in the pit, it’s essential to have something that zips. I learned this the hard way when I lost my phone in the mosh pit, but luckily, someone picked it up and returned it!
Layout
Riot Fest does a great job with its layout, featuring five stages in total: two main stages (Rise and Riot), two rear stages (Radicals and Roots), and the rebel stage, which sits on its own. The paired stages run sequentially, so as one set ends, the other begins. This means there’s nearly never a dull moment at the festival.
If you need to cool down, there are several shaded areas around the festival that are within listening distance of the stages. The festival also features a carnival and a ton of vendors selling merchandise and knick-knacks.
Making Friends
As a solo traveler, I found Riot Fest to be one of the best places I’ve ever been. The community is extremely caring, and most anyone would love to chat and learn more about you. I was happy to stumble onto a guy in a banana suit and his friends who quickly became my festival crew for the weekend.
Making connections at Riot Fest is easy, but here are two ways you can make it even easier:
- Stand Out: I chatted with the guy in the banana suit because he stood out. If you can stand out in some way - wear a fun outfit, a unique hat, or carry a prop - it creates an immediate conversation starter for surrounding people who also want to connect.
- Be Intentional: You may have to put in some effort to find festival buddies. Be intentional by striking up conversations with people around you. A great way to do this is to have something to share. I grabbed an extra bag of free popcorn at the festival and offered it to someone in the crowd. Instant concert companion!
