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Sheryl Crow

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11 Songs To Celebrate The Summer Solstice sheryl-crow-snoop-dogg-11-summer-solstice-songs-start-season

Sheryl Crow To Snoop Dogg: 11 Summer Solstice Songs To Start The Season

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Spend the longest day of the year bumping this playlist of solstice-friendly summer songs
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Jun 21, 2018 - 5:59 am

Whether you're living it up in the sun or waiting out the sweaty dog days of summer, the daylight lasts longer on June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere than any other day of the year. We know this day as the summer solstice, and it marks the official start of the season of beaches, vacations and camping, a reason for celebration if there ever was one.

The sun has served as a consistent muse for songwriters through the centuries, and it continues to shine its way into the lyrics, videos and festivals that shape today's music. From infectious sunny pop hits to the moody music that makes summer love so bittersweet, many of the world's greatest songs are solar powered.

With this in mind and in honor of the summer solstice, we've compiled a playlist to keep your long day burning bright and take you into the year's shortest night.

Sheryl Crow, "Soak Up The Sun"

Released in April 2002 on Sheryl Crow's C'mon, C'mon, which went on to be nominated for Best Rock Album at the 45th GRAMMY Awards. The song "Soak Up The Sun," our summer focus here, was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Crow won that year for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for "Steve McQueen," but by July "Soak Up The Sun" had reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped to define maximum summer with its discipline of appreciating the rays. No matter how bad things are, enjoy the sunlight, as her lyric says, "While it's still free."  — Phillip Merrill

Joseph Arthur, "In The Sun"

Immediately catchy, accessible and cool, Joseph Arthur scored his biggest hit with "In The Sun," the lead-off track from his third album, 2000's Come To Where I'm From. Produced by GRAMMY winner T Bone Burnett, the song announced Arthur's unique songwriting talent to a much wider audience. Right from the opening line of "I picture you in the sun wondering what went wrong," it's a redemptive story — the kind Arthur tells best — of forgiveness revolving around the idea that no matter what, the sun will rise again.  — Nate Hertweck

Katy Perry Featuring Snoop Dogg, "California Gurls"

Who could forget the bubblegum pop of Katy Perry circa 2010? Enter "California Gurls," an homage to the Golden Coast that featured Snoop Dogg. The hit earned a GRAMMY nod for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals at the 53rd GRAMMY Awards, and with lyrics that call out summer icons such as palm trees, bikinis, martinis, sun-kissed skin, the beach, and popsicles, it rightfully earned a "summer anthem" designation. As Snoop Dogg raps, "Summertime is everything," and who knows that better than California gurls? — Renée Fabian

Cream, "Sunshine Of Your Love"

Their 1967 sophmore album, Disraeli Gears, took Cream to a pinnacle of psychedelic acid rock and brought the band a Best New Artist Of The Year nomination at the 11th GRAMMY Awards. In 1999 the album was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, and the band went on to receive the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. The classic riff  in "Sunshine Of Your Love" was inspired by Jimi Hendrix, who later covered the hit himself. It's said that the lyric, "It's getting near dawn and lights close their tired eyes," began it all, written while waiting for the sun to rise. — P.M.

Lana Del Rey, "Summertime Sadness"

Sometimes there's a lot of pressure to be bright and happy all summer long, but let's face it. That's just not realistic. For those times when you're feeling a little morose even as the sun shines high overhead, Lana Del Rey has you covered with her 2012 hit, "Summertime Sadness." But don't be fooled. Despite the song's title and down tempo there's also a deep electricity to the track: "I feel it in the air/Telephone wires above/Are sizzlin' like a snare/Honey I'm on fire, I feel it everywhere/Nothin' scares me anymore." If we catch you driving down the highway at 99 like Del Rey in a dramatic, arms spread pose, we'll know exactly what you're listening too. — R.F.

Lucinda Williams, "Big Red Sun Blues"

Lucinda Williams not only has a way with words, but also an abundance of love and pain in her twangy, gravel-road voice that goes beyond words. Long before Time Magazine called her "America's best songwriter," Williams'1988 self-titled third album announced her arrival in a new space beyond country where Americana would put down its roots. The album also earned Williams her first GRAMMY win for Best Country Song for "Passionate Kisses," but it was the slide-guitar lament "Big Red Sun Blues" that had us howlin' at the sun with lines like, "The sun is hangin' in the sky/Sinkin' low and so am I," and still wondering, "How'm I gonna lose these big red sun blues," 30 years later. — N.H.

Donovan, "Sunshine Superman"

The No. 1 Hot 100 hit at the end of summer 1966, Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" presented an upbeat "you're going to be mine" anticipation, inspired by the morning sunshine. This positive attitude combined with its bouncy U.K. pop-rock joy was contagious. Some of the excellence of its original recording was contributed by John Paul Jones on bass and Jimmy Page on one of the song's electric guitars, both of whom went on to GRAMMY wins. May your sunshine make you feel just as good as Superman, too. — P.M.

Snoop Dogg Featuring Pharrell Williams, "Drop It Like It's Hot"

Ah yes, the perfect song, if you will, for when the sand is hot and the beer is cold. Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams took the common phrase (and dance move) and codified it in hip-hop history with their 2004 single "Drop It Like It's Hot." The track turned out to be a smash hit and it earned two GRAMMY nominations at the 47th GRAMMY Awards: Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group and Best Rap Song. In 2009 Billboard named the track the most popular rap song of the decade, which is a great reason to add it to your summer solstice playlist this year. — R.F.

Neurosis, "A Sun That Never Sets"

Oakland, Calif.'s legendary experimental heavyweights Neurosis have a rich — and complicated — history with the sun. Early in their career they chose to never perform underneath it, preferring the cloak of night for their epic, visually enhanced live set. They even released a brilliantly brutal album titled Enemy Of The Sun in 1993. All that changed when they faced the sun onstage for the first time at Ozzfest in 1996, and five years later, they'd made their solar amends and delivered "A Sun That Never Sets." Recorded by recent World Series of Poker seven-card stud champ and engineering wizard Steve Albini, the song's stark, haunting intro builds into a massive, sun-blazed sonic catharsis tailor-made for the celebrating solstice. — N.H.

Richie Havens, "Here Comes The Sun"

A song of benediction, "Here Comes The Sun" was one of George Harrison's transcendental contributions to the Beatles' 1969 album, Abbey Road. At a sensational opening performance made famous by the film Woodstock, shot at the 1969 festival and released the following year, Richie Havens and his acoustic strumming set the scene with the songs "Handsome Johnny" and "Freedom." Then his cover of Harrison's hit on his 1971 album Alarm Clock reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, spreading good feelings everywhere it was heard. An evergreen classic covered by many great artists, Haven's folk authenticity made the song uniquely his own. — P.M.

Björk, "Solstice"

The title track of this year's big day, "Solstice", sees Björk trade in her usual — and usually very unusual — brilliant sonic production in favor of a simple, sparse, poetic hymn. Taken from her 2011 album Biophilia, which Pitchfork claimed, "May be her most ambitious yet." This is really saying something when referencing one of our generations' most daring artists. In "Solstice," the Icelandic GRAMMY nominee reminds us, "You are a light bearer, a light bearer/Receiving radiance from others'/Flickering sun flame." Happy solstice, everybody! — N.H.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

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Photo: Photofusion/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

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How To Make The Perfect Playlist making-perfect-playlist-grammy-u-members

Making The Perfect Playlist With GRAMMY U Members

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From setting the mood to choosing the right artists, we ask college students around the country how they create their perfect playlist
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Nov 1, 2018 - 9:19 am

Making the perfect playlist is an art. The mood has to be right, the songs have to flow and the name has to encapsulate it all. After all, a playlist is the soundtrack before a test, during a gym session or a on cross-country trip. Song to song, it needs to keep you in the moment.

But what makes a perfect playlist? How to pick from so many artists to capture one kind of feeling? It's clear music streaming companies have also put some thought into how to make the perfect playlist. As Spotify puts it, "Playlists are no longer just simple collections of songs. They’ve grown to become cultural epicenters, complete with their own communities."

As a group who engages with music the most, we asked some GRAMMY U members from different colleges across the country to figure out what constitutes a good playlist and how they put it all together.

"Playlists are able to tell the world what collection of music defines your reality," Chicago GRAMMY U Representative, Becca Zagorski, shares. "This becomes an artistic expression because it promotes expression through self-reflection for the creator and intrigue and discovery from the listener."

For Becca, it's all about capturing a mood. Her "Fallish" playlist mood is a mix of pop hits and more obscure tracks that fit her theme. From Travis Scott's "SICKO MODE" to Parquet Courts' "Tenderness," her playlist captures her own personal musical touch for songs with mass appeal at the time that she can eventually look back nostalgically.  

"I create a playlist for each season that has songs that fit the mood of the time period combined with current popular songs," she said. "That way when I go back and listen to those playlists, I can reminisce on the music that encapsulated that period of time in my life."

Florida GRAMMY U Rep Melanie McGrath uses artists from the past and present in her playlist, {h o w t o b e a woman}, to make a soundtrack that inspires her to be better in the present and future. Songs on her playlist include Maggie Rogers' "Alaska," Lorde's "Greenlight" and girl band The Aces' "Stuck."

"It’s a playlist full of indie women artists who inspire me to be the best version of myself!" says Melanie. "Anytime I find an indie pop/folk/electronic song that makes me feel empowered as a young woman and a young songwriter, I add it."

To create her perfect playlist, GRAMMY U Rep Tristin from New Orleans, La., whose playlist includes everything from Kurt Vile's "Pretty Pimpin" to Fleetwood Mac's classic "Rhiannon," envisions herself in the mood she wants to capture.

"Once I got into that frame of mind, I was able to create what I feel like matched the mood and the setting of that scene, which for me is filled with folk, indie and alternative music," Tristin says. "In order to make it more of an artistic expression, you have to really know what type of feeling you want the playlist to convey."

Whatever your goal, combining nostalgic songs with current viral favorites or bringing together specific artists before and during your time, or by focusing your thoughts on the feeling you want to create, your perfect playlist can be something that is truly only yours.

Which Women Musicians Do You Think Are The Most Influential Of This Century?

Andra Day
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Meet The Recording Academy Diversity Task Force recording-academy-names-diversity-and-inclusion-task-force-members

Recording Academy Names Diversity And Inclusion Task Force Members

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Meet the 18 members who will join task force chair Tina Tchen to examine barriers and biases affecting women and other underrepresented voices in the music industry
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
May 9, 2018 - 6:30 am

Tina Tchen, Chair of the Recording Academy's newly formed task force on diversity and inclusion, announced the names of the 18 members joining her in examining barriers and biases affecting women and other underrepresented voices in the music industry and, specifically, the Recording Academy.

Since her appointment, Tchen has spent weeks meeting with and listening to constituents across the music community, using that feedback to assemble a task force that is balanced in perspectives and interests to ensure that the group is independent and focused on making progress in the industry. All members will volunteer their time and expertise, and none are employed by the Recording Academy or hold any position on its Board. The task force includes the following music creators, executives, academic scholars, and thought leaders in gender equality and diversity:

GRAMMYs
Recording Academy Diversity And Inclusion Task Force Members
  • Stephanie Alexa, vice president of finance and licensing administration, ATO Records
  • Michele Anthony, executive vice president and executive management board member, Universal Music Group
  • Cam, GRAMMY-nominated artist
  • Common, GRAMMY-winning artist
  • Sheryl Crow, GRAMMY-winning artist
  • Andra Day, GRAMMY-nominated artist
  • Giselle Fernandez, award-winning television journalist
  • Jimmy Jam, GRAMMY-winning artist
  • Beth Laird, CEO and co-owner, Creative Nation
  • Debra Lee, chairman and CEO, BET Networks
  • Rebeca Leon, co-founder and CEO, Lionfish Entertainment
  • Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP
  • Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder and director, USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
  • Trakgirl, music producer, songwriter and entrepreneur
  • Ty Stiklorius, founder and CEO, Friends At Work
  • Julie Swidler, executive vice president of business affairs and general counsel, Sony Music
  • Dean Wilson, CEO, SEVEN20
  • Terri Winston, founder & executive director of Women’s Audio Mission

"I'm honored to lead such an esteemed group of visionaries who possess the experience and passion needed to drive real change in building a more inclusive and equitable music community," said Tchen. "This is an important first step made possible by the Recording Academy's leadership, which recognizes the benefit of examining these issues with fresh eyes."

The task force is set to meet shortly to begin its work with a review of Recording Academy operations and policies across the areas of corporate governance, hiring and promotion, membership, awards, and the GRAMMY Awards telecast. As Chair, Tchen will develop an operational roadmap for the task force and update the Recording Academy on the group's progress on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

"This is an extremely important initiative for us," said John Poppo, Chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees. "The Board takes seriously any role the Recording Academy can play in serving our music community, and certainly one that could facilitate increased diversity and inclusion. We are inspired by the prospect of what this task force might accomplish, and we're grateful to Tina and the group's esteemed members for graciously agreeing to partner with us in this effort."

As one of its first orders of business, the task force has established a feedback tool to collect public input and suggestions for the group's review and consideration. Anyone interested in providing suggestions for the task force can do so by visiting www.grammy.com/taskforcefeedback.

"The Recording Academy prides itself on being a thoughtful organization, and is committed to being responsive to those we represent in the creative community," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "Today, there's an opportunity for us to effect historic change in attitudes and practices within our industry. We embrace that opportunity in full. With a leader like Tina at the helm and a group of such high caliber, this task force is primed to have a meaningful impact on building a music community that is inclusive, welcoming, and open to all."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Festivalgoers at Stagecoach 2017

Festivalgoers at Stagecoach 2017

Photo: Matt Cowan/Getty Images

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7 Ways To Enjoy Festival Season Without Drinking music-festivals-2018-7-ways-enjoy-festival-season-without-drinking

Music Festivals 2018: 7 Ways To Enjoy Festival Season Without Drinking

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From having an escape route to engaging in on-site 12-step recovery programs, learn how to plan an unforgettable festival experience without the booze
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Apr 12, 2018 - 3:12 pm

Picture this. You've landed in the California desert and are stoked to pitch that tent. You've got the lineup pulled up on your phone and you're arguing with your travel companions about whether you'll catch Beyoncé's must-see headlining set or catch a one-of-a-kind performance from Japanese rockers X Japan, who play at the same time. And you still haven't worked out if you'll see Portugal. The Man or Kamasi Washington. Mid-argument, out comes the six-pack and now there's a tougher choice to make.

Adam Clayton's MusiCares speech: Life In Recovery

While they offer life-changing experiences and the chance to get up close and personal with music of all genres, music festivals also include lots of alcohol consumption and drug use. In fact, this darker music fest culture comes with some cold, hard facts that would sober anyone up. A 2016 Canadian study found that 13 percent of reported festival deaths between 1999 and 2014 were the result of alcohol or drug abuse.

The studies may be new, but music festivals and substance abuse have been nearly inseparable since their inception. However, what's starting to change today is a focus on sobriety and recovery for those who want to attend music festivals without imbibing in the chemical party atmosphere.

"I went to Woodstock in 1969 and all I did was get loaded with everybody else. That's never really changed," shares Dr. Howard Samuels, founder/CEO of The Hills Treatment Center in Los Angeles who has 33 years of sobriety under his belt. "The thing that has changed though is that there are more young people that are sober."

While festivals may be a highly charged space for maintaining sobriety, those in recovery can enjoy music festivals without drinking. So bust out your fanny packs, signature shades and water bottles, because you're headed to your favorite festival armed with these seven tips to maintain sobriety.

1. Make The Trip With Other Friends In Recovery

Rule number one: Don't go alone. Plan to attend a music festival with other community members who support sobriety.

"I would go with other sober people. And when I say sober, I mean other people that you're in recovery with," says Samuels, who also recommends waiting until at least six months of sobriety to take on a music festival. "Don't go alone or don't go with your old friends."

When surrounded by others who share the same mission, it's much easier to resist the temptation to drink. Not to mention, if a craving gets triggered, you can discuss the moment with someone who understands and supports your decision to remain sober. Alcohol isn't required to have a good time. Being surrounded by the right people, though, can make all the difference.

"My favorite part about festivals are the people I meet," says rapper Kosha Dillz, aka Rami Even-Esh, who has been sober for more than 13 years. "Go with someone you'll have a great time with."

2. Plan Lodging Wisely

During a festival, the stages may go dark at a reasonable hour, but the partying continues long into the wee hours of the morning. Instead of dealing with the pressures of other drunken attendees, plan to have a safe space to go at night or anytime a break is needed.

"Don't be cheap," advises Even-Esh. "If you have to get your own place and it means being able to sleep in a room versus all of the room partying until 7 a.m., it might be worth it to spend the money."

Also look into sober housing options at music festivals. As the recovery movement grows, so too do the sober safe spaces at events. Organizations such as Camp Traction offer sober areas at a handful of festivals each year, and check other festivals' websites because they may offer their own clean and sober camping options.

3. Devise An Escape Plan

If the atmosphere becomes too overwhelming or tempting, have an escape plan figured out ahead of time. This could mean driving separately so there's always a way out without being dependent on another group member, having a nice quiet place to come back to at any point during the day, or simply hailing an Uber or Lyft.

You may experience some FOMO (fear of missing out) in the moment when leaving friends behind, but you'll be glad you did.

"I make sure I don't take things personally and always have an exit plan if it gets weird," says Even-Esh. "It usually does, and in my experience I don't really miss anything when I leave."

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4. Phone A Friend, Often

For Even-Esh, having a fully charged phone is of paramount importance. Samuels agrees.

"The most important thing is that you have easy access to other recovering people in order to express the feelings of being overwhelmed, of being triggered by seeing people use — by all of it," says Samuels. "You've got to be able to communicate your feelings and your thoughts."

Keep phones charged with some of these portable charger options, and don't be afraid to reach out to your support network as much as needed.

"Once I start feeling anxious, the phone is a great tool to have," says Even-Esh. "Be able to call other people that are sober or even your friends back home. It's always good to call someone not at the festival to bring you back to reality."

5. Find A Local Or On-Site Meeting

As awareness about substance abuse issues and recovery grow, so do the resources for those looking to have a great experience and maintain their sobriety. Enter on-site festival 12-step programs and other resources.

"At most festivals these days, there are 12 steps and all you have to do is ask one of the organizers or the event staff where there's a 12-step meeting," recommends Samuels. "Recovery has gotten to be so in the mainstream these days, which is really positive, that there can be a lot of safe places for recovering people at music festivals."

For example, MusiCares' Safe Harbor Room program will be available at many major festivals throughout the U.S. this year, including Coachella and Stagecoach, which provides 12-step meetings and an information booth for those attending festivals.

#MySupportSystemIs @MusiCares.

Learn more about how #MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need: https://t.co/vXObeYqLwz pic.twitter.com/v8mq1PIBfL

— Recording Academy (@RecordingAcad) February 14, 2018

6. Take Care Of The Basics

In Alcoholics Anonymous parlance, HALT — hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness — mark four pillars of well-being that must be addressed to prevent vulnerabilities to relapse.

In a music festival setting, this means eating nutritious and regular meals and snacks and drinking water. Avoid isolation and loneliness by choosing the right people to have by your side, while using your phone support network to vent anger and frustrations that might arise, say pushy crowds or a rude fan. And finally, do get some sleep. No all-nighters here!

"Sometimes getting something to eat and taking a nap can really change your mentality," says Even-Esh.

7. Set Boundaries For Yourself

Finally, it's important to know your own limits because at the end of the day you're responsible for your health and sobriety.

By setting yourself up to take care of the basics, engaging support networks, acting on escape plans as needed, and picking the right people to travel with, you've got a great head start. From here, rocking out during a weekend of unforgettable music without drinking is definitely attainable. Just keep your goals top of mind.

"Depending on where you are, there can be an absurd amount of drugs available and always large amounts of drinking happening," Even-Esh says. "For everyone else that's OK, but for me that is a problem and I'm the only person who needs to know that."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Festivalgoers at FYF 2017

Festivalgoers at FYF 2017

Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images

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11 Must-Haves Essential For Any Music Festival music-festival-essentials-11-must-haves-apps-packs-more

Music Festival Essentials: 11 Must-Haves, From Apps To Packs & More

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Before you brave your favorite music festival, use our handy checklist to make sure you make the most of your experience
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 11, 2018 - 5:34 pm

With Coachella's two-weekend party in the desert kicking off this weekend, music festival season is officially here. No matter what you're into, it's out there — from the Olympics of dance music at EDC to the hip hop/R&B gumbo at Essence and the hard rock heaven at Aftershock to the big general festivals like Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits that seem to have something for everyone.

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Before you hit the road, the train or the airport for the music celebration(s) of your choice this summer, we're here to tip you off on how to arrive in style, maximize your experience and stay safe and connected. Check out these 11 music festival essentials — don't leave home without 'em!

1. Water, Seriously

As always, safety comes first. You can be sure your festival experience will be a total drag if you get sidelined by dehydration. There are several ways to make sure you stay at 100 percent during a festival, but the easiest and most environmentally friendly way to carry the water you need is to pick up a Camelback pack (starting at $37). The distribution of weight allows you to carry more water more comfortably than in a bottle or container, and a quick sip is always easy to take when the sun starts beating down on you. Plus, Camelbak has started adding hydration stations at various festivals where they'll refill you for free! OK, water … check.

2. Never Skimp On The Sunscreen

Speaking of the sun, sunscreen is a must, otherwise your day two festival selfies will definitely pay the price. Make sure you're using at least 30 SPF, especially on your face. Also, don't forget the tops of your ears (if they're exposed) and the back of your neck. Remember: Even in overcast weather, the sun can get ya. So lather up out there. For tons of great options, check out Bustle's list of festival-friendly sunscreens (staring at $8).

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3. Don't Forget Your Plugs

And please don't forget the ever-important practice of hearing protection. Even a few minutes in front of a massive speaker array at a festival can do damage, so make sure you've got a nice pair of plugs ready. For the true music connoisseur, invest the time and money to get fitted, frequency balanced ear plugs, like these by ACS (generic fit starting at $14, custom fit starting at $185). The custom mold will keep them comfortable all day long, and the frequency balance will ensure you're getting the full range sonic experience of the music, not that muffled, boomy sound with foam plugs, where all the high end disappears. As a bonus, ACS are one of the manufacturers who provide free custom ear molds for music professionals backstage at festivals around the country through MusiCares.

4. Pack A Backup Battery

This next necessity has become even more important than money in some ways — battery life. Because your phone is your other brain, and it will probably be roaming much of the day (not to mention the photos, texts, posts to social) your battery can and will die. Fortunately, there are many options for calling in some backup without resorting to a charging station retreat. The Anker Powercore 10000 ($28) scores well in size and weight. The Morphie Powerstation 5x ($42) is preferred by some for its long-term durability. Jakery also makes the affordable Mini ($13) and reliable Bar ($20) models worth picking up.

For another nifty option, consider this handy Solar Charger ($23), which charges with the sun and can also store enough power to charge most phones twice on a single charge (in case it's cloudy). In addition, this one also has a built-in LED panel on the back, which can be a handy flashlight at the campsite, or when you've dropped your phone in the dark while trying to plug it in.                                                  

5. Shazam It

People, it's 2018! If you're not ready to capture a great song and find out what it is before it's gone, you're living in the past. Not only does the Shazam app (free for the basic app, $3 for premium) allow you to discover the music you're enjoying as you hear it, but it can provide lyrics, connect to YouTube videos, notify you of new releases, and integrate with your Spotify and Apple Music accounts. Shazam also provides the data that helps shape festival trends based on what fans are digging organically, a phenomenon we covered at SXSW. So get the app, and if you hear something you like, hold up your phone up and get the deets.

6. Scheduling Apps To The Rescue

Another valuable app that can be used for festivals is Wunderlist (free). Built to organize our lives, Wunderlist can help you make sure you hit every set on your wishlist by setting up a schedule with reminders. When used in conjunction with locator apps like Find My Friends (free), and Find Your Car With AR (free), your day at a festival will run smoothly, you'll cover more ground, remember to keep your meet-up times with friends, and make sure you aren't wandering the parking field for hours looking for your buddy's jalopy at the end of the night.

7. Make It App-ficial

Another totally indispensable app you should download is the festival's official proprietary app. The big festivals have done this best, including Coachella, Ultra and Lollapalooza (all free), whose apps are shining examples of how tech can enhance the festival experience. All the stage schedules, vendor maps and real-time notifications put you a step ahead of the frenzy surrounding you. Two years ago, this came in very handy when Lollapalooza had to be evacuated due to inclement weather. Their app was able to let tens of thousands of people know immediately when it was time to move, and exactly when the coast was clear and the fun could resume.

8. Style Matters

Getting dressed to impress for a music festival should be fun. You can experiment with style in ways you can't at school, at your job or even a night out. Dig deep into your inner style child and try something you've always wanted to try — here's some inspiration from Elle. And whatever you do, don't forget to accessorize. Hats and sunglasses are very in this year. Lulus online only store offers very boho and modern, perfect for the Chella gal look (dresses starting at $20). For additional current must-have fashion ideas, including this year's freshest batch of Unicorn Dust, check out US Magazine's 2018 Coachella packing list.

9. Let's Talk Shoes

Maybe the most important decision you make while standing in front of your closet before a festival is which shoes to wear. With so many considerations — comfort, color, style, temperature — the choice isn't always easy. Here are a couple crucial keys to keep in mind. First off, your feet will most likely get stepped on, so close toes are recommended. Also, weather plays a huge roll. Will it get chilly? Will it get wet? It might be tempting to go carefree with flip-flops or sandals, but it's really best to stay basic here, with something like these platform sneakers from Steve Madden ($79) or a basic pair of low top Chucks from Converse (starting at $40). Pro tip: It's probably best to leave your newest pair of kicks at home, because they will definitely get wrecked.

10. Merch Me

Let's be honest, merch tents at festivals can be overwhelming. It's not like stopping by the T-shirt table after the encore on your way out the door of a local show — you have dozens of bands and festival branded merch to consider, and typically a huge number of people all pushing in line to buy that last medium-sized limited edition Phoenix tee at the same time. But remember, for a lot of artists — especially those still building their fanbase — merch sales and connecting with fans at festival merch booths can make a huge difference. No one's nailed this better over the past two decades than Warped Tour with their endless rows of tents where fans can pick up merch and, in many cases, meet the artists, who are usually sweaty from being fresh off the stage. Consider supporting the up-and-coming acts you love — or just discovered — at festivals. Also, if you brought the wrong clothes, forgot your sunnys or desperately need a hoodie, merch tents can be a lifesaver.

11. Open Mind For Discovery

Last, but certainly not least, it's easy to overlook the biggest upside of festivals: artist discovery. The tickets probably cost you an arm and a leg, you probably sat in traffic, parked a mile away, and waited in a long line at the gate to get in, but once you make it through the gate there are bands and artists all around you who have devoted their lives to their art. Listen to every band you can, even if just for one song. Sure, you want to make it to the main stage early to get a prime spot for your favorite artist, but remember: that artist wasn't always your jam! You had to discover them somehow.

Think of all your favorite before-they-were-cool stories of being the first of your friends to dig this band or that rapper after seeing them in a tiny club, or opening for a touring headliner no one listens to anymore, or on a festival side stage playing to nine people at 11:45 a.m. before they made it big.  Slow down and give these passionate musicians a chance to blow your mind, and you might be surprised.

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