A Love Letter to My Rave Baby Self: How to Survive Goldrush Arizona

Alright, rookie, grab a water bottle, or better yet, a hydropack, and let me walk you through surviving and thriving at Goldrush: The Return to the West this weekend. I’ve been chasing beats and basslines across the U.S. since 2016, hit 18 festivals and over 50 shows, and I’ve learned that preparation makes the difference between a weekend you barely survive and one you’ll remember forever. First thing: hydration is your best friend. A hydropack will save your life, but if that feels like too much, bring a bag that can fit a water bottle. Trust me, you’ll want to dance all night, not shuffle around feeling like your body’s about to melt in the triple-digit Arizona heat or track down the water bottle you spent $9.00 on in the crowd. Sunscreen is mandatory. Slather it on your shoulders, arms, and top of your head if you aren’t wearing a hat. The sun doesn’t mess around, and once dehydration hits, no amount of prayers to the rave gods will save you. Also, for the love of all things PLUR, do not forget your headphones, whether it’s for lining up your crew, zoning in between sets, or pre-gaming your vibes; they’re essential for your hearing health.

VIP parking? Honestly, don’t stress. Roll in about 30 minutes before gates open, and you’ll find a solid spot without paying extra. Heading home? If you slip out roughly 15 minutes before the last set, you’re essentially cheating the traffic gods. Hours spent in a post-festival jam are no joke, so plan accordingly. The same 15-minute rule works for movement between sets if you want a closer look at the stage. 

Festival essentials aren’t just practical, they’re life-changing. Wet wipes are your secret weapon for bathroom visits, sticky hands, or random face dust. Hand sanitizer keeps things feeling fresh, gum keeps your energy up, and eye drops are a must for the inevitable dust storm stirred up by dancing thousands. A mask is optional but highly recommended if you want to avoid black snot…yes, it’s a real thing. Dust is part of the experience, but taking care of yourself allows you to fully enjoy the music.

Now let’s talk about vibes. Bring trinkets, trade kandi, and spread love wherever you go. The energy you give is the energy you get, and when everyone around you is on the same page, the festival becomes magical. Keep an open mind, be kind to strangers, and dance like everyone’s watching because your joy is contagious!

Merch is another story. Bring a tote or plastic bag and a few carabiners. The bag can then attach to your hydro or fanny pack for hands-free dancing and movement. Lockers are a great investment, but splitting one between 3 to 4 friends is cheaper and doubles as a meeting point if someone disappears in the crowd. Don’t procrastinate; the lockers sell out fast. Plan meet-ups because cell service will likely be nonexistent. Pick a totem always, pick several throughout the grounds. Our inflatable Cobra from Decadence 2024 became legendary. Our inside joke for 2025 has been “MEET AT THE COBRA,” any time we want to see each other. Be respectful to your friends, stick to pre-decided meeting times. It saves hours of wandering in frustration.

Once you’ve met up with your crew, try to enter the grounds early, before the sets you want to see start, so you can get a lay of the land. Walking the festival before sunset makes it much easier to navigate once the crowd fills in. Otherwise, the landscape changes after dark, and finding stages, food, or friends becomes way trickier.

If you do end up texting people, add a timestamp to your messages so your crew knows exactly when it was sent. Messages often get delivered late or out of order when the festival gets crowded and service is patchy. Small detail, big difference.

Extra survival tips that make all the difference: pack a mini first-aid kit with band-aids and blister pads, small snacks like granola bars or trail mix, a lightweight poncho or jacket if the dust picks up or it gets cold. Glow sticks are fun to trade, just vibe with, or mark your dance area in the dark. Chargers and cords are non-negotiable. Your phone dies faster than you think, and someone in your group will definitely need juice for photos or coordination. 

If you’re planning to Uber, schedule it smart. Once you arrive and meet up with your friends, it’s ideal to line up your ride early. And if you’re the type to roll in after 10 PM, schedule that Uber earlier in the day. You don’t want to spend an hour hunting for a ride when you’re exhausted. Super pro tip: Have two friends schedule the Uber; sometimes drivers like to cancel scheduled rides, and it is great to have a backup.

Finally, respect your neighbors, your space, and the flow of the crowd. The more love and good energy you put into the event, the better everyone’s experience will be. Remember, this isn’t just a festival, it’s a full-on adventure, a temporary home for connection, dance, and joy. Keep hydrated, keep your wits about you, pack smart, and don’t forget to soak in every second. 

Goldrush 2025 is going to be hot, dusty, and loud, but with a little preparation and a lot of heart, it will be nothing short of unforgettable. Bring your love, your energy, your glow, and get ready to dance like nobody’s watching, you’ve got this.