Nothing screams summer fun like an outdoor music festival. And when you get to rock it out to The Black Keys AND Snoop Dogg, (plus every other musician in between) that’s just a bonus. But will you have everything you need when you finally arrive on the Osheaga grounds? Brace yourself for three days of awesomeness and read on for your comprehensive guide to preparing for Osheaga.

How to look like you’re with the band:

Bring…

A FLOPPY HAT

Shield your virgin, milky skin from the sun, young one. You’re too good for a burn.

A RIDICULOUS PAIR OF SHADES

Duh.

A LEATHER JACKET

Just because cool people in cool bands are always drowning in leather. So you should, too.

A PAIR OF PANTS….NOT

Leave the pants at home. A pair of undies adorned with a selection of studded belts will do just fine.

A KILLER PAIR OF HEELS

You’ll be backstage by this point already, so you won’t have to worry about loosing you balance on uneven grounds during your favourite band’s performance.

A DESIGNER BAG

Because you want people to think you can tote around a $1,500 purse like it don’t mean a thing. And because, how else will the kids look up to you, if you don’t have something they can’t afford? But you knew that already.

For the record, the above style-guide should be taken lightly and taken with a grain of salt. Because you ain’t fooling anyone in those Litas, darling.

What to wear, for real:

Keep your look easy and breezy. While pretty much anything goes at music festivals, even when the decision to “forget” to pack your pants is fair game, in the name of your personal sanity, dress comfortably. That said, don’t feel pressured to dress to impress. For the festival fashion fan, there are comfortable ways to be on trend. For instance, opt for easy-to-breathe-in basics to combat the heat like a skirt and crop top combo, or a sheer maxi. What the hell, throw a floppy hat into the mix and a pair of cool kicks, and voila – you’re getting snapped by our FORA cameras.

How to prepare:

To make the most out of experiencing live music at a weekend festival, give the artists you’re not so familiar with a listen before the date. Not only does this give you an idea of who’s-who on the schedule, but you might also discover something you truly like. It’s all about practicing open mindedness. Give these two mixtapes a listen: Volume 1, Volume 2.

What not to forget at home:

A RIDICULOUS PAIR OF SHADES

Duh.

A TOP, PLEASE

Keep the girls covered because nobody has ever benefitted from a nip-slip. And I was just joking about the pants. Don’t forget those either.

BABY WIPES

These might seem like a waste of space in your bag, but I guarantee you will exhale the most satisfying sigh of relief when you’re actually in need of one. There’s nothing worse than a waterless-sink or a sink-less Port-O-Potty. Yuck.

TISSUES

Actually, I lied. There’s definitely nothing on this planet worse than a Port-O-Potty without toilet paper. Don’t count on your fellow festival goers to save you a strip. They won’t.

BLISTER PADS

Just in case you actually decide to wear those Litas, in which case I say shame on you. Or kudos. I’m not sure.

AN (EMPTY) BOTTLE

Ensure you’re fully stocked on your own water to stay constantly hydrated. I don’t wish upon anyone, not even my worst enemies, to have to pay five bucks for a bottle of Dasani.

A TOWEL

Makes for a lovely barrier between your bum and the mud.

A PONCHO

To keep your hair frizz-free when it rains. Or you can just be spontaneous and ditch the poncho in an effort to embrace your natural waves. Whichever you prefer.

YOUR ID

If you want to enjoy a beer, or two (responsibly!), you’ll need TWO pieces of ID. The French (Canadians) don’t mess around.

CASH

Rely on cash only to pay for that beer and a foot long – not on the vendor to accept your debit. And take it out before you get to the island. Unless you’re really into waiting in excruciatingly long ATM lines.

AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOUR TICKET

So long as you treat this piece of paper as the golden ticket to your salvation, nothing can go wrong. No matter how nice your friends might be, nobody actually wants to trek it back to the hotel with the person who forgets to bring their ticket.