Top products from r/OutsideLands

This. With proper ear plugs, you can protect your hearing and enjoy the music all the same. Here's a sample graph of how high-fidelity ear plugs compare to the standard foam counterparts. What you're looking for is an even attenuation for all frequencies. If you've used foam ear plugs in the past, you're probably familiar with the "muddy" sound these can create, a result of losing your mid- to high- frequency ranges. Hi-Fi plugs will retain these frequencies more evenly, allowing for a much more "true" sound at a reduced decibel level.

You can get the Etymotic plugs fairly cheap on Amazon. At $15, you won't be breaking the bank, and you'll have a much more enjoyable experience over foam or no ear plugs at all (tinnitus is no fun, and is a sign of permanent damage).

Alternatively, if you're a concert junkie and want to make a serious investment, there are companies that manufacture custom-molded ear plugs (example here). These range upwards of $200, and they involve visiting an audiologist to get molds of your ear canals, which are then sent to the manufacturer to craft them to your personal specification (color, style, etc). The result is similar to the Etymotic plugs in terms of attenuation, but are far superior in terms of comfort and longevity. Plus, you can swap out attenuators to suit your environment. For example, I typically use 15dB for concerts, but I could bump it up to 25dB if I'm going to be working in a machine shop or other excessively loud environment.

No matter your budget, hearing protection should be your #1 priority at concerts. Even if you can't afford to spend a dime, the health clinic within the festival grounds will provide foam ear plugs (with a suggested donation). Take care of your ears, and you'll be enjoying concerts for decades!

Pro tip: buy something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Label-Premium-Plastic/dp/B00VF874PU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493845319&sr=8-2&keywords=byob+flask

Since it's soft it's super easy to sneak through security and you can bring your own delicious whiskey and spend less money on crazy expensive beers. But I'd also recommend hitting up beer lands once or twice. They've got dope shit.

wow this policy kind of sucks. although I guess it will be quicker to get into the festival. anyways, amazon has a decent looking cheap option for anyone in need of a clear backpack.

only $12

I got these "Shark Skinz" flasks at BevMo last year- good alternative to the ziploc bag of booze cause you still have a pour spout. They hide easily with no leaks in your backpack or against your skin. I will probably be buying a few more of these for this year.

Shark Skinz on Amazon

I found some cute clear/holographic kind but kinda pricey at $26

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010Q2U2ZE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A18VEQ1VT9CT1A&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Concealable-Reusable-Cruise-Flask-Anywhere/dp/B00O84199K/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=clear+plastic+flask&qid=1564779733&s=gateway&sr=8-3

If you invest in one of those waist bands that you can find on Amazon, you’ll guaranteed feel better, at least about your valuables. I tried this one this year and it was nice not worry about my pockets. We had a fanny pack strap get cut while at Coachella and thankfully they didn’t get it, but that woke me up to how brazen these bastards can be. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZS3DC4U

Buy these, the fact that they are soft-sided means they're more comfortable when jammed down your pants. Wear boxer-briefs so they don't fall out the bottom, wrap them in a large ziplock bag so they're not rubbing on your taint/balls, and then hide them in the front or back. The 32 oz may seem too big, but with a little adjustment they fit no problem. Just wrap a hoodie or flannel around your waist to conceal if you put down the back.

Alcohol

because i have a massive dislike for kenny loggins.

EDIT: a number of friends of mine had their studying for finals disrupted by the sound check and tests for https://www.amazon.com/Outside-Redwoods-Kenny-Loggins/dp/B0000029BV . had he done it merely a few days later, there would have been no issue --- but between him and whoever at UCSC authorized it, a number of people I know were hurt by it.

I've avoided doing anything which might remotely give him money, ever since.