Festival Essentials You Need for a Rad Season

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It’s music festival season in Scandinavia and we’re lucky that for a small region, we get some serious festivals coming our way. NorthSide and Roskilde in Denmark, Way out West and Into the Valley in Sweden, Flow in Finland, ØYAFESTIVALEN in Norway and Secret Solstice in Iceland. To name a fragment of the selection.

So besides a ticket and a few days to recover afterwards, what do you actually need to bring with you to make your festival season rock (harder)? We’ve put together some of our must-haves; the stuff that we’d be a helluva lot dirtier and unhappier without.

Whether you’re camping, glamping (do people still do that?), or staying in an actual house, here’s what to drag along to all your music festivals this summer:

A Solid Raincoat

An obvious choice, because most Scandinavian festivals include at least a little bit of rain. Or a lot of rain. Our favorite coat is the classic Stutterheim Stockholm, which not only keeps you dry but thanks to its bonded cotton, keeps you warm at night as well. These coats last for years, so they’re an excellent investment for festival seasons (and, you know, life) to come.

Outdoor Speakers

If you’re camping or plan to spend any time lounging during your festival of choice, a portable outdoor speaker is wonderful. Enjoy (more) music as you crack open a few beers and hang with friends. The Libratone ONE is meant to mimic the shape of a book, while the TOO mimics the shape of a water bottle, so that they’re ultra movable. They’re both splash-proof, so don’t worry about having them near a dock or on a boat, and they work on bluetooth so you can play from any streaming service you like.

Sunscreen

Not to be your mom, but DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN! The sunshine may be rare in Scandinavia but it is harsh! Coola has a great selection of strong sunscreens, including a great make-up setting mist in SPF30 for people who don’t like a heavier face cream. Other beauty items we throw in our bags include Maria Nila Dry Shampoo (because who has time to shower?) and Salty Mist, both of which give easy-to-manage texture to hair.

Backpack or Bum Bag

A shoulder or messenger bag during a festival? No thanks! Have something that is hands-free and won’t hurt your back. We love the bum bags from Eastpak and the backpacks from Swedish brands Fjallravn and Sandqvist.

Heavy Duty Boots

In-line with our raincoat recommendation, boots are necessary. If it rains, you need them for the mud. If it’s dry, you need them for the dust. Yeah, your feet might get a little sweaty, but that’s better than getting stepped on by every Tom, Dick and Harry while you’re moshing. Classic Hunters, Timberlands and Dr. Martens are all excellent choices.

Portable Charger

Well this one seems obvious. If you want to keep instagramming your festival experience, or need to stay in touch with your kids’ babysitter, or just love taking selfies in front of port-a-potties, you’ll need your phone to stay charged. The Mophie external battery is super slim and has a 500% charge, so you’ll be set for the whole day, and then some.