Keep Selfie Sticks Out of Music Festivals, Ok?
Apart from making news for their wicked list of performers, Coachella and Lollapalooza have stolen 
more headlines after it was revealed that they are both banning selfie sticks from their festival grounds.
In case you’re lucky enough to not know what the hell a selfie stick is, the simplistic explanation is that it’s a stick in which you can attach your smartphone to; hold out at a distance; and remotely snap a broader photo of yourself with.
While it is hard not to appreciate the genius of those who created such a desired product for the me-centric selfie photo takers, what makes this product particularly brutal for most festival attendees is that it serves as yet another annoyance.
Music festivals, when done right, are amazing feats. But, even when they are done right, you’re still going to deal with overpriced food and drink; long bathroom lines that end in grossness; and growing security restrictions like the inability to carry a backpack (a backpack!) into a festival. These – with the addition of substantial alcohol enjoyment, close confines, varying personality types and possibly poor weather – can cause friction amidst the crowd.
As a result, do you really need a few hundred, or thousand people amidst this madness wielding sticks for photo purposes?
Secondarily, if fans and bands are already pissed off by the inability to attend a show and not be obstructed or surrounded by glowing smartphones, do you really think they’ll respond well to a stick in their faces?
Of course, there’s also the safety issue. Some people are uncontrollably clumsy and could accidently cause some damage. Then there are those who won’t like getting their toes stepped on and thus consider using a selfie stick to send a message. The last thing anyone should want is a pit filled with amateur fencers who are six beers into their afternoon.
Lastly, if you need a selfie stick to make your music festival experience more enjoyable, you’re missing the point. Focus should be paid to the stages and not how many new people begin following your Instagram account.
-Adam Grant
Please be sure to follow us on Twitter @riffyou and at Facebook.com/riffyou.
