Ten ways to rock a music festival from the founders of Gidi Fest, Africa’s largest beach party

‘Summer summer summertiiiiimeeee!’

It is officially summer y’all! Time to get the legs out, the drinks on and music LOUD. The weather here in London isn’t quite providing us with the sun we so desperately yearn, but that doesn’t stop the summer feeling had by all and music festival season has kicked off from Glastonbury in the UK to Afropunk in Paris, Sonar in Barcelona, Coachella in California to AfrikaBurn in South Africa and not forgetting the legend that is Burning Man in the Nevada Desert.

See the #GidiFest16 Aftermovie..Massive #ThrowbackThursday.
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— Gidi Culture Fest (@GidiFest) May 26, 2016

We have not all experienced the ‘vibes’ of a music festival so who better to get the dos and don’t from than the founders of Africa’s biggest beach festival – Gidi Culture. Chin Okeke and Teme Banigo are the two dreamers who founded the arts and music festival as an outlet for the growing Nigerian youth culture. Their aim is to focus on channelling the negative energy in Nigeria’s young population who, unlike the rest of the world, really don’t have much was a way to entertain themselves.

The guys wanted to repaint the picture the world has of Africa and tell the African story the African way via music, food, fun, sun and laughter.

The guys wanted to repaint the picture the world has of Africa and tell the African story the African way via music, food, fun, sun and laughter. The movement in music is the driving force for them and it has evolved into something that represents some sort of youth artistic revolution. In the three years since Gidi Fest’s inception, there has been a growing community around the event. The number of people attending gets larger and the acts more famous.

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Teme Banigo and Chin Okeke

So I had a chat with the guys to find out what us ‘virgins’ need to survive and enjoy a music festival. Here are their top tips:

1.

Plan in advance

This is when our OCD/over-planning friends come in handy! Get that ticket asap, book your accommodation WELL in advance or suffer at the hands of the dreaded tent or car backseat… Lord have mercy!

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2.

'You go chop my money'

SAVE YOUR MONEEEEY. Festivals ain’t cheap and those outfits, food and drinks are gonna hit your wallets, hard.

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3.

Wear comfortable shoes

Girls, this is not the place to bring your heels and wedges. You can look cute and rock those sneakers or boots. Boys, unless you want those suede loafers destroyed I’d leave them at home. The advice given was wear something on your feet you can wear for… 48 hours. Pick wisely, but always ALWAYS fashionably. (Where are my Yeezys?)

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4.

Take a charger for your phone

Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. The number of numptys who kill their battery life after five hours of snapchat will astound you, and it is only day one! Keep your phone juiced up.

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5.

#sunglassesandadvil

Absolute essentials in order to survive past day (and night) one.

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6.

Choose your crew

Like an episode of FRIENDS, have a posse that caters to every emotional need – the designated ‘parent’ figure (Monica); the joker (Chandler) the ‘the party animal’ (Joey), the boho/hippie at one with the world (Phoebe); the hot friend with all the outfits and accessories (Rachel) and the one that will make sure you call it a night at a decent hour..or else (Ross).

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7.

Make new friends

Nothing is more fun than an experienced shared. Dance with stranger and giggle with new friends.

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8.

Leave your drama at home

POSITIVE VIBES ONLY. No negative Nancys or stressed out stoves allowed. Enjoy yourself, try everything once and get turrrrnt UP.

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Happy festivaling all!

Find out more gidiculturefestival.com