I spy...
1. A festival is like a crowded mall.
I’m not one for festivals and this may be the reason why. I suffer from something called mall rage – the equivalent of road rage but in malls, stemmed from a hatred of people who walk slowly in malls and block your way as you attempt to navigate the darn place. Osheaga is like a gigantic outdoor version of this. Fine, the fresh air helps but not when I’m fuming with impatience trying to run from one stage to another. Hey, you may not care if you miss a few songs from The National but I want to hear “Fake Empire”! Potential anger management is in my future, I can already see it.
2. Starvation trumps shelving out money for overpriced food.
It’s kind of a given that festival food is pricy but this was just ridiculous. Instead, my plan of action consisted of an unhealthy overdose of breakfast followed by a feast afterwards. Now I’m not condoning starvation, I’m just simply suggesting you save your money and not waste it on a $10 mini burger that you’ll regret half way through the day. If you feel weak or lightheaded though, go grab a burger. Wouldn’t want you to pass out before the headliners take the stage.
3. Two words: buddy system.
It became pretty clear right off the bat that the world of texting/Tweeting/Facebooking/etc. was not going to help me find my friends. Let’s face it, with a crowd this big it really is finding a needle in a haystack. By the end of the night, I lost count of how many times I was told to meet someone by a tree or a lamp post or that guy with the Blue Jays cap. Next time, handcuff yourself to a buddy.
4. What’s better than watching bands? Spotting other musicians watching bands.
Arguably more exciting than watching Beach House on stage on Day 1 was spotting Arcade Fire violinist Sarah Neufeld watching Beach House. It’s always great to see bands check out other bands they admire. They’re music fans too, you know. Emily Haines and Evan Cranley dancing and singing along to the Arcade Fire while Torquil Campbell throws fist pumps in the air – priceless!
5. People watching at its best.
Its one thing to just sit at your local Starbucks and stare at people as they walked by but Osheaga was a people watcher’s dream. The fashionable, the drunk, the awkward couple making out. They’re all there.
6. Hiding flasks in your pants really works.
Not that I did it.
