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How Glow Sticks Work
Ever wondered how glow sticks work?
Glow sticks contain hydrogen peroxide, which is kept separately from phenyl oxalate ester and a colored fluorescent dye.
When you snap a glowstick, it causes the chemicals to mix, which releases enough energy to excite electrons in the colored fluorescent dye. The color of the dye determines the color the stick will glow. This excitement of the electrons causes them to jump to a higher energy level and then fall back down, releasing light. So that’s how glow sticks work.
The final solution may be carcinogenic, so you should not get it on your skin, or be ingest it. Side effects of exposure include skin irritation, swelling, vomiting and nausea. So be careful when using them!
By: Lindsey
@festobsessed
Bunk Police Test Kit: music festival safety
FestObsessed is all about safety awareness. No matter what decisions any music festival goer makes, we hope they protect themselves by putting their psychological and physical safety first.
Unless they’re a chemist, anyone picking up substances (that are in pill, powder, crystal or liquid form) at a festival, does not know what they have. Maybe using some ritual of sight, smell, touch and taste; they think they know what it is. Even if the seller thinks they know, they may be incorrect or lying for profit. However, chemically testing it is the only way anyone can truly know what that substance is.
Thankfully, a wonderful company, the Bunk Police provides a reliable test kit to ensure safety. The kit is only $20, testing for 100 substances, and providing 50 uses.
Here’s how to use it:
Fake drugs can cost money, a night, or even a trip to the ER. Buy a piece of mind, and insure safety using a test kit.
By: Lindsey
@festobsessed
Hooping Videos for Inspiration
After fire hooping for the first time (!!!) at the Snow Riders Winter Break Festival at Sunday River in Maine, I have decided to focus more on my hooping. One of my favorite ways to learn new tricks is to watch other hoopers. Here are some videos that I’ve been watching for hoop inspiration.
By: Lindsey
@festobsessed
The Snow Riders Winter Break Festival
From January 6-10, 2013; Steve and I were at the Snow Riders Winter Break Festival. This was the 5th annual event at Sunday River in Maine. It was the gem of the larger ‘College Week’ event at Sunday River.
Highlights included:
- Handle of Deep Eddy Vodka per room
- Hot tub village by Vitamin Water
- 2 nights skiing and accomidations for less than a 2-day ski pass (1-night, 3-night, and 5-night packages were also available and for just as good of a deal)
- Awesome music till 3AM every night
- Good vibes
- Free snacks and drinks curtesy of Vitamin Water, Unreal Candy, and KIND bars.
- Free AeroShot energy
- Open trails, untouched powder
- I got to fire hoop for the first time!
One of my favorite things about this fest is, like FestObsessed, this Winter Break Fest is by the people, for the people. The guys who organized the event are good people. They made an effort to talk to everyone on the trip, more than 200 people, so that was impressive and appreciated. While we were there, we handed off one of our favorite products – a Moldabowl - to one of the organizers, Chris.
This great mini-festival is one event of many by The Snow Riders, which is an entertainment and promotion company lead by a group of brothers. In addition to the Winter Break Festival, they also host Snow Trips throughout the year – where they will bus you from Boston to various New England mountains for less than the face value of a life ticket. They also host film events, as well as Urban Sessions at local bars:
By: Lindsey
@festobsessed
Where We’ve Been
Steve and I (Lindsey) have taken a hiatus from festobsessed since the height of festival season ’12. Between our 9 to 5 jobs, organizing Reddaroo (the biggest ‘groop camp’ at Bonnaroo), and working on festobsessed.com, we felt like we didn’t have enough time to also enjoy ourselves. So we took a break and made up for lack of articles with a lot of fun. Here are some highlights from our summer, fall, and winter of ’12.
Festival: Bonnaroo XI. Manchester, TN. June 7-10, 2012
All in all, hosting such an enormous groop camp (108 campers from all over the U.S. including campers from Hawaii, Canada, and France) was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. This experience enabled us to get closer to some old friends, and meet a lot of new friends. We hit Bonnaroo by storm with 6 cases of Monster, 1000 glowsticks, 1 100×40 foot tarp, and good vibes.
About half of our 108 Reddarooers
Camp Reddaroo – so big you can see our tarp from the helicopter photos.
This is what $4,000 in parking passes looks like
Hiking: Mount Whiteface, New Hampshire
We love the challenge of a good hike. This one, despite being low-mileage, was arduous! We had to climb up some sheer rock faces, and got stranded in the middle of a lightning storm!
Festival: Camp Bisco. Mariaville, NY. July 12-14, 2012
Though the crowd tends to be on the younger, bro-ier side, Camp Bisco is always a good time.
Hiking: Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire
Warrior Dash, Connecticut
Festival: Made in America. Philadelphia, PA. September 1-2, 2012
Despite being a first year fest, Made in America went on without a hitch. There was red, white, and blue swag as far as the eye can see, and guest appearances by Kanye West and Rick Ross. Though the lineup was solid, sound quality and overall production quality high, I will not return for $16 Bud lights or 90-minute food lines.
JayZ
Festival: Wormtown. Greenfield, MA. September 15-16, 2012
This might have been my favorite festival of the season. Wormtown is a local festival, consisting of 2,000 creative people, and music around the clock. There were miles of wooded campgrounds to walk through, a river to swim around in, and a campfire to cozy-up by.
Halloween: Ringmasters
Festival and Skiing: Snow Riders Winter Break Festival. Sunday River, Maine. January 7-10, 2013
Though just a micro-fest (~200 chill people), the Snow Riders Winter Break Festival brought in some solid music for five days of riding, and five nights of fun. Considering we invested less than the face value of a week ski pass, we felt like we were living in luxury in ski dorms thanks to a hot tub village and free vitamin water.
By: Lindsey
@festobsessed
Mike’s Bonnaroo XI (2012) Review
This year’s Bonnaroo marked my fifth Bonnaroo in as many years, and my second year as a VIP (evidently they have a loose definition of a very important person). I have to say that while this may not have been my all-time favorite Bonnaroo, it certainly did not disappoint.
As far as I can remember, I saw The Kooks, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gary Clark Jr., The Devil Makes Three, Young the Giant, Phish, The Shins, The Civil Wars, Santigold, Needtobreathe, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Dumpstaphunk, The Avett Brothers, Dawes, Foster the People, The Temper Trap, The Roots, Alice Cooper, The Beach Boys, Ben Folds Five, and the Joy Formidable. Granted I didn’t see the entire set of each and every band, but I at least stayed for three or four songs.
The headliners played as well as expected, but the real value of going to Bonnaroo is to discover new music. Santigold stole the show when she invited about hundred fans to come up on stage and dance with her. Foster the People delivered an entertaining set right before Radiohead on Friday night, which caught many people (including myself) by surprise. Phish played two sets back to back just as the weather finally fell through on an ominous Sunday night.
The Devil Makes Three are a folk-rock trio from California, and they were the find of the festival for me. Their lyrics were clever and songs were energetic, especially for a three-piece band. Young the Giant impressed a clearly worn out Sunday crowd, and they even played some new songs that will be on their next record. The Avett Brothers played a passionate set, highlighted by an electric version of “Kick Drum Heart” that apparently was one of the first times they included a kick-ass solo (or so they say).
Overall the experience was a very positive one. The weather certainly helped (mid-80’s and sunny three days and overcast another), which was a big detractor the past couple of years. The main complaint people had were that the late-night acts were highly questionable (Van Halen cover band? Who okayed this?). I don’t usually have the energy to make it out that late, but there certainly was a drop off in the quality of acts this year than from previous years. This problem was exacerbated by the numerous conflicts of acts playing the same time slot peppered throughout the weekend. Hopefully they get their act together for next year.
From my perspective, the Bonnaroo staff and safety were all top-notch and on top of their game. Most of the time they were helpful and didn’t get in anyone’s way. Dealing with 80,000 people is no easy feat, and the staff did the best they could given the overwhelming responsibility. However, there were some malfunctions with the RFID readers, which meant that some people had a difficult time gaining access to Centeroo on occasion. The work that the staff put in during the months in between was highly appreciated. More shade, less dust, and easier access to water were needs that Bonnaroo addressed perfectly.
- Mike (@mrmikerayner)
My Run-in with Passion Pit
We were standing within a few feet of one another as we waited to be seated for an early dinner at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The expansive marble and glass room was bright, formal, and cold. There were whisperings of chatter, until a lull in the band’s conversation left the room eerily quiet. ’I have to say something,’ I thought to myself.
“Great show!” I muttered meekly to Passion Pit frontman, Michael Angelakos.
“Thanks,” he sarcastically retorts, as he rolls his eyes.
I had seen Passion Pit’s intimate 4-song set in the museum, less than a half hour before, as part of WFNX’s MFA sessions. I was super excited to be one of only 50 people at this event, after having been a fan for years. I know every word and every beat to every one of their songs. I’ve listened to their work – the old stuff, the new stuff, covers and acoustic renditions. Musically I am a huge fan. They really are a great band in the studio, and as I saw today, live as well.
Maybe I should say he really is great, rather than they are really great. At least that is what frontman, Michael Angelakos would probably prefer. During the set and during the Q&A session that followed, Angelakos referred to the music as ‘his,’ rather than theirs. He also used the word ‘I’ exclusively, where we would have been much more appropriate. ”When I wrote this.” ”When I preformed.” ”My song.” He clearly thinks that this is a one man band, despite the four other band members. Even if he is the sole creative contributor (which I doubt), he does not play every instrument at every show. We do not buy Michael Angelakos CDs, we buy Passion Pit CDs. It’s a shame that the frontman doesn’t realize that.
Undermining his band wasn’t Angelakos’ only shortfall as a musician. He forgot the words. More than once. He joked about how this wasn’t the first time, and how his only job as a singer was to remember the lyrics, and he was failing miserably. While the oddly self-aware comment relieved some tension, it did not make it untrue. He insisted on completely starting over two songs. Two of the four songs that they played. How can you be a professional, well-known, talented musician and fuck up 50% of your performance? That being said, when they did get get rolling, the performance was inspired and beautiful.
Less beautiful, however, was Angelakos personality. Early into the set, he asked how many of us were going to their arena show tonight. Only about 10 of the 50 people cheered, which seemed to really piss Angelakos off. He brought it up sarcastically several times throughout the performance in a trying to be funny, but transparently angry, kind of a way. To make matters worse, my run-in with him after the show only reinforced my poor impressions of him. Not only was he slightly rude to me, he was incredibly rude to the waitstaff. He demanded to have a large group seated at the museum’s swankiest eatery, immediately. He made it be known who he was, as if he were King of Boston, managing to upset waitstaff who deal with the richest and rudest clientele daily.
I would be lying if I said that I had not previously heard rumors of how terrible Angelakos’ behavior is. However, after the disappointing scenes I witnessed today, I would not stop short of calling Angelakos a Bostonian version Noel Gallagher. He is conceited. He is rude. His personality makes it difficult to appreciate his music, which is too bad. The music is amazing. We all want to look up to the people whose music we most connect with. We want them to be that wonderful, insightful human being, when in reality they are just that guy with the really cool voice, or the dude who sat in his basement playing his guitar for thousands of hours.
Update: Angelakos had to take time off in August 2012 for his mental health. I wish him the best with whatever he goes through, and can’t imagine how much pressure performing live is. In September 2012 I saw a lackluster Passion Pit performance at JayZ’s Made in America Fest in Philly. They were however, able to make it through each song without restarting.
By: Lindsey, @festobsessed
Featured Find: The Limousines
With the release of another Passion Pit single I am reminded of an album with a similar sound that I personally played to death. The Limousines’ (Eric Victorino and Giovanni Giusti) Get Sharp is 40 minutes of indie electro fun that you just can’t get enough of. This West Coast duo produces all these hooky beats in their basement studio, you may have even heard them in the background of Jersey Shore. They starting working together after Eric heard Giovanni’s Jay-Z remixes, an artist they both attribute as an inspiration. Distance being an issue, they produced their first few songs “Postal Service” style by sending bits of lyrics and samples back and forth. The first time they met was actually in a recording studio to lay down some tracks.
To be honest, what first really caught me was the lyrics to “The Future”, their atheist ideology is unmistakable and appreciated. In the US where catering to the masses with the mention of some holy sky father is all but required, these two couldn’t give a shit. Eric has called this his favorite song “because it’s true”, couldn’t have said it better.
“And when we die our empty bodies turn to dust
Ther’ll be no pit of fire
No angels singing songs for us
There’s nothing we can say that people won’t forget someday
There’s nothing we can do that matters
That’s okay”
Their lyrics also poke fun at our constant preoccupation with all that is unimportant in “Very Busy People”. With everyone running around from dawn to dusk working to live, Chris points out we are missing the most important things.
“We’ll end up numb from playing video games and we’ll get sick of having sex.
And we’ll get fat from eating candy as we drink ourselves to death.v
We’ll stay up late making mix tapes, photoshoping pictures of ourselves
while we masturbate to these pixelated videos of strangers fucking themselves.”
The Perfect Festival Top!
Right now, I just need to show a little love for a very talented crocheter, Georgia. About a month ago, I was lucky enough to stumble upon her etsy shop, and decided that I absolutely had to have one of her creations. ”Look as tripped out as you feel,” she proclaims. Yes, please! She crochets jewelry, hats, head wraps and trees (yes, literally trees). She custom-makes bright and bold halter tops based on your size, and color choices. She never makes two exactly the same, so you know that yours is one of a kind. Needless to say I have been very excited to see how mine would turn out!
When it arrived today, I, of course, immediately changed into it. I am pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it is. I love how it is covered enough that I do not feel half-naked wearing it, but it is uncovered enough to bear the summer heat. It really is perfect for festival season. So much so, that after prancing around in my new top for a few minutes, I starting thinking about which colors I would order next. I guess that’s how you know you really love something. Or maybe I just need to appreciate what I have a little more.
I will be wearing this sucker to Bonnaroo, so if you see me in it (or if you see me in general), be sure to say hey!
By: Lindsey
@festobsessed
Graffiti Stencil Tutorial
It isn’t un-common at festivals for there to be a wall, or many, that are open to people who want to spray some paint upon them. For those who want to join the fun but aren’t that experienced or artistic in general (like myself) stencils are a great way to get your ideas up on a wall quick and clean. Here is a basic tutorial to get your first stencil up. You will need a printer, PosteRazor, tape, and an X-Acto Knife. Also, black roof paper (or another material) and 3M Adhesive are recommended.
1) The first thing you will need to do is pick an image.
Oooooo. Nice choice, edgy.
2) I like to take Paint’s bucket tool and get rid of as much black as possible to save printer ink.
3) I prefer to make stencils that are larger than 8×11. PosteRazor is great help with this.
It is different for every printer, and you will need to do some trial and error, but I set all the margins etc. to 0.
4) Here is the fun part, where you get to choose the size of your stencil based on page Width or Height (it auto-adjusts the other).
5) PosteRazor saves, exports, and opens a PDF document for you to print.
Again, the settings will be different for every printer. I just turned Scaling Type to none and set it to grayscale.
6) Here we are all printed out, first lay out and line up your image. You will most likely see that the ink isn’t right up to the edge of the paper, this is a limitation of almost every printer. My current printer seems to compensate in some way, you may need to work with PosteRazor’s margin and overlap settings or your printer’s margin settings.
7) Here is where the precision work really starts. Take scotch tape and join the paper. I like to start on the outside, make sure two paper edges are lined up on the outer edge, corners perfectly kissing, tape near the edge. Now follow that seam to the center, keeping the paper edges kissing, make sure the inner corners are aligned and tape again. Repeat for all the edges, then add more tape as needed. Try if you can not to tape over the black lines that you will need to cut. The tape will interfere with the smooth cutting and might clog/dull your blades faster.
8 ) Because regular printer paper is light and flimsy I use another material to make my stencils more sturdy and re-usable. This here is a large roll of black roof paper I found at Home Depot. Seems like a good balance of heavy, cut-able, water proof, and cheap. Make sure to leave a decent sized border around your stencil, this will catch your over spray. You can use more tape to attach but the middle can sometimes bunch. I spray a bit of 3M adhesive, also useful when it comes to getting your stencil on a wall. Kind of turns the whole surface into a post-it, careful not to use to much, you wont be able to remove the white paper from the black.
9) One last step before cutting. Make sure your original image is nearby (on your screen or printed out separately on one 8×11 page) and link any gaps between the pages with a marker.
10) When you cut out a removable piece be very careful. Dont just try to yank it up. Slowly peel it up from one side, using your Exacto to re-cut any corners that need it.
11) Here it looked to me like the stencil might get a little to thin, and delicate. You can see where a small strip of paper is going to have to hold a much larger piece. Easy remedy is just cut “inside” the stencil in order to make the paper thicker and stronger. Notice I really only added a millimeter or so in a very small slice, but it will make a world of difference.
12) Keep cutting. Take it slowly, think of it as a surgical process. The more time you spend preparing your stencil, the better the finished product.
13) Tada! Only step left is to slowly remove the printer paper. Start on the outside and kind of roll and peel it up. Dont feel the need to take it all off as one chunk, and take extra time on the thin areas.
14) When you go to spray it on a wall, first make sure the surface is clean-ish, wipe it off with a dry rag. Next put a long strip of duct tape (sometimes I double-up the tape strip so it’s 2 pieces of tape high and grabs more wall) along the top of the stencil, tape your stencil to the wall. While it is only attached at the top and flapping, lift it up and give it a spray with the adhesive on the back. Kind of roll/lay it onto the wall from the top down, making sure it is even and smooth. Now just spray evenly from at least a few inches away, you don’t want the can’s spray to disturb the paper. Hold down small parts with a gloved hand. You may need a second coat depending on the color of paint and background.
By: Steve
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