Search:

MetroWize summer highlight

I’m privileged and honored to report for MetroWize about some of the great summer music festivals happening around the country. Having a job that takes me around the world, reporting on nightlife, parties, and events can only partially be considered “work”. With that, here’s some advice on one of my favorite festivals around, High Sierra Music Festival.

High Sierra Music Festival happens each year in Quincy, California, about an hour north of the Lake Tahoe/Reno area, and attendance is consistently at about 7,000-10,000 people. If your musical taste ranges from bluegrass to a little electronica, don't stress about the line-up, just get your friends together and go. However, this year’s lineup has been announced and it’s looking good: Tea Leaf Green, Yonder Mountain String Band, Bassnectar and ALO are among the featured artists.

You’re in for a 4 day camp-out festival with multiple stages and shows running throughout the night. Keep in mind that this non-stop party is in the beautiful Northern Sierras with rivers, lakes, and plenty of sun. I spend my days with a schedule in my back pocket, a beer in my hand, and maybe a frisbee if I'm feeling athletic.

There are keys to survival at any festival, and HSMF is no exception. If you follow these 10 tips, don’t worry about a thing, and you can thank us later.

Top 10 Tips for enjoying HSMF

1. Arrive early. Good camping spots are limited, and sun is your enemy when it turns your tent into a miniature oven. The aptly named Shady Grove is a camping haven, as is the big circus tent tops provided by the Big Meadow Stage. If you can't get there early, bring a shade structure.

2. Take a day trip away from the festival to the river at least once. The clear, ice-cold water can serve as your shower for the day.

3. Don't bring too much food. Some might disagree, but I think keeping something cold in 100 degree heat for 4 days isn't worth it. I'll invariably see somebody eating some soggy crap from their cooler, while I'm enjoying my delicious $6 Mango Lassi and Chicken Tikka Masala. Just buy some good vending food and bring snacks.

4. Don't be stupid with drugs. Do what you want, as I'm no preacher, but past years have had run-ins with law enforcement. The cops ranged between being complete dicks, to apologizing, to basically saying "just don't be a idiot and we'll leave you alone.” That's a pretty good mantra for life actually; just don't be a idiot.

5. Buy your beer at Safeway down the street. Quincy is a legitimate small town and they have lots of food there. I forgot that the first year, but now I load up in town. Don’t make extra work for yourself by loading up at home, just keep things simple.

6. If you've got it in you, and if you can play hooky one extra day, stay for Sunday night. It wasn't until year three that I stayed for Monday, but I have ever since. I always thought people went home Sunday. Not true. The party endures till the wee hours on Monday morning.

7. Save some energy and hit the late night shows. Use the money you saved from my SafeWay advice and buy late night passes. The shows are well worth it and other people’s energy will keep you up anyway. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, and, besides, the late night shows are good. The party kicks back up a notch past 1 a.m., so purchase those tickets ahead of time before the good ones are gone.

8. Hit some of the musician workshops. One of the coolest aspects of HSMF is these collaborations between the artists and the sit-in's. The workshops are a rare opportunity to get to know the artist on a personal level, and it’s indoors so they’re a great way to beat the heat.

9. Use the pool. First of all, it's just so damn hot in Quincy, but the pool is worth it even more because you get to use the showers. And over the course of 4 days of partying, you start to stink real good, so it’s definitely worth the price of admission.

10. Be prepared for some drastic temperature changes. By day, it's 90-100 degrees and blazing sun. By night, it might get all the way down to the 40's so bring fleeces, wool hats, etc.

Ahh, High Sierra! See you there.

Don't forget to sign up for the Weekly Wize Guide where MetroWize gives away full packages to the best parties around the world. It's free and delivered once a week to your inbox. Sign up here