We are just a few short weeks away from Above & Beyond Group Therapy 250! Following its predecessors marking every 50 episodes of Above & Beyond’s radio shows at London’s Alexandra Palace, New York City’s Madison Square Garden, and Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, the 250th episode of Group Therapy will not be like any others.
For the first time ever this event will be held on two days, September 16 and 17 as well as a full camping experience for fans. This year ABGT’s home will be in Washington at the beautiful Gorge Amphitheater.
Today I am sharing my tips on how to have the ultimate ABGT experience and spare you from any possible festival headaches.
Camping/Travel Packages:
ABGT provides you with plenty of lodging options to choose from. You can choose from regular camping or even glamping at The Gorge. If you’re not into camping, they also provide travel packages where you can stay at hotel or even rent a home for the weekend!
I have camped at festivals before and they can be a great and fun experience if you have all the essentials. Here are just some a few things that I put on my list when packing my stuff. If you are camping I recommend you bring the following items:
- Gear: Tent, air mattress, pillows/blankets, folding chairs, duct tape (this will fix anything)
- Food & water: it’s important to keep your body in good shape at a festival so take protein bars, fruits, and nuts to snack on to help you feel energized throughout the day.
- Trash Bags, disposable plates and cups
- Dress for the weather: I was at The Gorge last year for Magnifique during the same time as ABGT is going to be held this year and I recommend you wearing light clothes during the day because it gets warm but also bring a jacket because the night gets chilly.
Transportation:
If you are flying in for the event, they will provide shuttles for you from the airport (one-way or round trip) and if you are staying at one of the hotels they listed on their website you will be able to catch a shuttle from the hotel as well. Take advantage of this opportunity to help alleviate traffic. More information on this can be found here.
Be comfortable:
Along with dressing appropriately for the weather, don’t forget comfortable shoes. When I was at The Gorge last year I was glad I wore comfortable shoes because there are lots of hills and you’ll probably be dancing on the top of one. Dancing for hours on a hill might make you sore too so keep your feet happy by bringing comfortable footwear.
Bring cash:
I hate using ATM’s at festivals because they charge for fees. To avoid this, I make sure to bring cash to the event and save a few dollars that can be used for merchandise, food, etc. Also, you never know if the vendor doesn’t accept cards so be prepared and come with cash.
Portable Charger:
Last year at The Gorge I had terrible service and that along with trying to reach friends can drain your phone’s battery. Camping or not this is an essential item to bring with you.
Vibes:
Last but not least, bring your awesome vibes with you! I went to ABGT 200 last year and the vibes all around were great. You always meet the nicest people at a Group Therapy event and get to meet fans from all over the world. Remember to be kind to anyone you meet and look after one another.
The show will include an 8-hour long broadcast along with a live stream on Saturday, and Sunday will include Sunday brunch with Above & Beyond’s label Anjunabeats’s deeper sister, Anjunadeep.
The two day event includes an amazing lineup for each day. Tickets are still available HERE if you are interested in attending this year’s Group Therapy event.
