Liv Smith

Introductions are always a little awkward, so let’s try to limit any cringe-worthy material. My full name is Olivia Smith, which shouldn’t be too hard to remember. Outside of my time studying at the University of Tampa, I have attended numerous music festivals across the country. My fascination with the culture surrounding music festivals began when I was just a freshman in high school (no, my parents were not happy with it at the time). In 2012, I attended the Made in America music festival in Philadelphia, featuring artists like Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Calvin Harris, and Skrillex. While I obviously loved the music, I was more infatuated with the ability to be free from reality and the overall positive vibe everyone seemed to share.Since then, in the last seven years, I’ve attended over 20 music festivals and concerts. From Moonrise in Baltimore to Okeechobee and EDC Orlando in Florida, and everything in between, I have developed a deep passion for music festivals. I even started my own festival clothing line inspired by the many unique expressions and details of multiple festivals. All of the hard work and attention to detail that goes into the production of festivals will continue to inspire the way I conceptualize the importance of design and aesthetic. However, music festivals inevitably throw some curveballs-- most of which are out of our control-- that you should always be prepared for.Camping in the rain with mud, not showering for days, large crowds, heat, blisters and scary encounters with drugs and alcohol are all highly anticipated when attending festivals, and even small concerts. While I may not have had any advice prior to buying my tickets to these events, I want to share my tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years to ensure everyone has a groovy time. I think everyone deserves a chance to adventure into the culture of love and positivity that music festivals promote... and that means doing it the right way.