Water, food access concerns prompt Hinterland music festival policy change
Some Hinterland Music Festival visitors are voicing safety concerns as hot weather and large crowds impact the weekend event.
Since the festival began Friday, festival-goers have posted on social media and reached out to vlog about issues with water access, long food lines, and other accommodation problems.
Attendees described the festival's first-day conditions as “a little crazy” and “very hot.” One visitor reported waiting 20 minutes to refill their water bottle, while others struggled with long food lines, leading to missed meals.
vlog reached out to the event about the concerns. The festival provided the following statement in response. It did not provide specific information about how many people are expected to attend the festival.
Given the summer timing of Hinterland, the heat and sun are always a big part of our planning for the year to ensure we have plenty of water stations and medical personnel on hand to assist if needed. With that in mind, attendees are able to bring in their own bottle filled with water, or a factory-sealed water bottle, along with encouraging them to continue to refill those at the 17 water stations, each with multiple spigots, throughout the festival grounds and campgrounds.
We also have crews driving around the entirety of the grounds and campgrounds handing out water to help people stay hydrated throughout the weekend. We’re looking forward to having an incredible night tonight with the lineup we have, including a headline set from Vampire Weekend.
As of day two of the festival, free water is being distributed throughout the event grounds, and a new policy allows attendees to bring their own water in refillable jugs or sealed bottles. Previously, visitors were required to refill empty bottles once inside the festival.
Hinterland posted on social media about the change reads:
We’ve heard your feedback and wanted to give you an update on changes for this weekend, as our team is continuously working to make the festival a great experience for everyone.
Outside water IS allowed inside the festival grounds the rest of the weekend.
Bring your own bottle filled with water, or a factory-sealed water bottle, and keep refilling at water stations throughout the grounds (swipe for updated map).
We’re still expecting prolonged peak travel times this weekend, and our teams are continuously making adjustments to keep lines moving and to get everyone into the festival safely and quickly. Leave early to give yourself plenty of time to get to the festival and onto the grounds.
Sunday, even higher temperatures are expected on a day featuring a star studded line-up of artists like Ethel Cain, Chappel Roan and Noah Kahan. Some festival-goers say they are anxious about the festival’s ability to managing the heat and crowds during acts that anticipate a large turnout.