The year is 582 B.C.E and the first Pythian Games are sweeping through Ancient Greece. The sounds of auloi and citharas ring out as Greek musicians compete for the symbolic laurel wreath in the earliest recorded music festival. Fast forward over 2,000 years to 1969 in New York, when half a million concertgoers gather to listen to the sounds of rock ‘n’ roll for three days straight at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, reviving music festivals once more. Now, in 2013, attending music festivals is still a popular summer activity. According to Equipsupply,  a retail distribution company, there was a 27.3 percent increase in average attendance at music festivals from 2010 to 2012. In addition, music festivals around America, including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Country Music Association Music Festival, reported record-high numbers of audience members in 2012.
Senior Rachel Peterson is a veteran music festival attendee, having attended Lollapalooza in Chicago twice and Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN once. She plans on returning to both this summer.
“(The first music festival for me) was pretty mind-blowing. I just remember thinking, ‘This is heaven,’ like there’s no way it could get better than this,” Peterson said via email. “When you experience something amazing alongside the same people for four days, it’s such a bonding experience, even with random people.”
English teacher Michele Satchwell, who grew up during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s when festivals were becoming popular, said she knows that feeling well.
“It was the summer between my sophomore and junior year (of high school) when Woodstock happened,” Satchwell said. “My parents thought I was too young to go, but the local radio station broadcast everything live and I remember just sitting there, mesmerized, wishing with my whole heart that I could’ve gone. This was the summer of peace and love, and rock ‘n’ roll was the expression of our generation.”
However, as the popularity of music festivals increases, the popularity of concerts is decreasing. According to Pollstar concert ticket sales dropped 12 percent in 2010, and promoters have been struggling to increase their sales since then. While the average concert ticket is about $47 and the average music festival ticket is $225, festivals last for three or four days and feature hundreds of different artists, whereas a concert may last two or three hours and only feature one or two artists.
“The vibe (of a music festival) is so different from a concert, much more intimate and family-like,” Peterson said. “Festivals give me the chance to see a ton of bands I love who probably aren’t touring near here. It’s such an experience to see a bunch in the same day.”
While the atmosphere of festivals has stayed fairly constant over the past few decades, still attracting more “free-spirited” people, Satchwell believes that festivals have become more commercial since the daysof Woodstock.
“Back then it was the early days and people just went to experience the music and the culture,” Satchwell said. “Nobody used to sell T-shirts or all of that stuff. Now I think festivals have commercialized to appeal to everyone.”
With the uptick in attendance and a broader range of people drawn to these events, it is important to take some precautions when attending festivals. Social studies teacher Dan Bates, who has attended four music festivals and approximately 50 concerts, advises potential concertgoers to be cautious.
“Make sure you just have fun and enjoy it, but you never know who a police officer is, so be wary of what you’re doing,” Bates said. “Actually, just don’t do
anything bad.”
Bates’ warnings hint at a well-known danger of music festivals. In 2011, police seized $70,000 worth of illicit drugs from the Glastonbury Festival near Pilton, Somerset, England. In addition, according to the Equipsupply infographic, the average festival attendee consumes 30 to 50 servings of alcohol. Reports of rampant drug overdose emerge year after year, and several deaths occurred at festivals across the United States last year.
In addition to these dangers, Peterson said she advises attendees to be prepared to face the elements. Music festivals are almost always outdoors and typically take place in the summer months, so high temperatures can often be a concern.
“It’s usually extremely hot, so make sure you drink lots of water and wear minimal clothing. If you’re expecting the heat, then you’ll be fine,” Peterson said.
Students interested in attending a music festival this summer will need to buy tickets soon, and start saving their money. According to Orbology Travel Blog, tickets to the average popular music festival will sell out in three to 24 hours. Resold tickets may be greatly marked up, but Peterson said she believes that the cost is well worth
the benefits.
“Seeing Radiohead at Bonnaroo last summer changed my life,” Peterson said.  “That was definitely the show of a lifetime, pretty magical. There are so many great memories (from festivals) that I could go on forever.”