After years of working behind the scenes at music festivals and events, there are some essentials I absolutely won’t leave home without. Sponsorship means dealing with everything from finicky artists to making sure an activation tent doesn’t blow away. A little preparedness makes the chaos way more manageable! I get asked a lot “where did you get that?” or “those are perfect for on-site, where can I find them?” For the first time ever I’m sharing my best kept secret – my ultimate gear list and where you can find these items!
Pelican Case
My Pelican 1615 Air Case is a lifesaver. It’s pricey, but worth every penny. I can check this baby with luggage, ship it, and it keeps our gear totally safe. You can even customize the inside to perfectly fit all your essentials.
LINK: https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/air/1615?sku=016150-0011-110
Cute and Functional Steel-Toe Shoes
Sometimes the site build calls for steel-toe shoes, but who says you have to sacrifice style? These are the perfect blend of safety and a little bit of “ugly-cute” (and comfy too!).
LINK: https://a.co/d/35iTm8s
Casely Power Pod
Casely Power Pods are my go-to for on-site power. They’re MagSafe for iPhones, come in tons of cool designs, and mean no more dead phones or tangled cords.
Bandana and Tall Socks
Dust, sweat, sun – you name it, a bandana’s got your back. I always keep a pair of tall socks handy too. Learned my lesson about blisters and bug bites the hard way, and these make site life much more bearable.
LINK: https://shop.bombas.com/products/womens-compression-calf-sock-3-pack?variant=white&size=m
Gaffers Tape and Zip Ties
The MVPs of any event setup. We ALWAYS keep extra on hand!
LINK: https://a.co/d/jeQD17a
LINK: https://a.co/d/jjuhKg5
Beis Sport Pack in Black
My obsession with Beis luggage is real, but their Sport Pack is the ideal crossbody for events. Enough room for your stuff and a radio, without being bulky. I even found a cheap radio holster that attaches perfectly.
LINK: https://beistravel.com/products/the-sport-pack-in-black?nosto_source=cmp&nosto=515939830
LINK: https://a.co/d/drTaqVk
Reusable Water Bottle and Travel Cutlery Set
Bring your favorite water bottle, but travel cutlery is a game-changer! Imagine ordering Uber Eats to the room and realizing they didn’t provide utensils, or getting to staff catering late and finding they only have plastic knives. Check out my favorite travel cutlery set that is chic and useful.
LINK: https://a.co/d/6RX4Xb7
Leather Work Gloves
Sponsorships can mean a little toolbox time. Protect those hands with good gloves! These have lasted us years.
LINK: https://buybearknuckles.com/collections/work-gloves/products/d357
Bloody Knuckle Hand Lotion and Beekman Chapstick
Dry climates are brutal on your hands. Bloody Knuckles is my go-to for its thick, scent-free moisture. Beekman 1802 makes the best chapstick around in my option! I usually pack at least three whenever I’m on the road for fear of losing one! Lavender is my favorite, but it comes in a wide range of flavors and scents.
LINK: https://beekman1802.com/collections/lip-care/products/glacial-mint-eucalyptus-lip-balm
My Med Pack
This $7 pill organizer is my on-the-go medicine cabinet. I label each compartment, so I’ve always got pain meds, allergy relief, etc., without carrying a ton of bottles.
LINK: https://a.co/d/0zWwt0m
These are my tried-and-true essentials for keeping me sane and successful during event season. With a little prep work, you can handle anything that comes your way!
Do you have any event must-haves I didn’t mention? Please shoot us an email at [email protected]! I want to know.