Natasha Does TURF

Split-second decisions sometimes yield great things. Last Friday was proof of that.

My sister came across a deal from Blundstone to get day passes for TURF at a discounted cost. We decided right then and there to go, but only picked one day. Friday. My sister could see Explosions in the Sky and I could see James Bay. Done and done.

Turns out, those VIP passes were cheaper than general admission the day of. They also, somehow, got us access to the front of stage area-extra VIP-so I could embarrass myself right smack in front of the performers. (I did NOT cry during James Bay but I screamed a lot and kept getting side-eyed by security. Which was, you know, fair.)

RIP Natasha, died this day the 16th of September due to James Bay exposure

It was a little strange. Having gone to Osheaga, I’m used to having to either camp out for hours at the front of the stage or nearly literally fight someone, or probably both, to get a good spot. When Explosions in the Sky were on, the crowd wasn’t huge. We wandered over to the front of stage area and hung out with maybe a dozen other people. As far as music festivals go, it was bewildering.

Other than the great performances, my sister and I made it our mission to sample from as many food trucks as possible. In the span of a few hours, I ate mac and cheese, an ice pop, vegan ice cream and a beaver tail. There were no regrets until the next day. Then there were a few regrets.

I wore what I consider to be “festival attire” – the mild version. A look that says, “Hey I’m here to listen to some cool music because I too am cool” with a side of “I copied this entire look from Instagram.”

I wore boots because 1) they are the most superior footwear and 2) the most protective when there’s garbage and drunk people around.

It was a disgustingly perfect day for a music fest: warm but not too warm, a gorgeous sunset and a cool evening. I had to steal my sister’s scarf while waiting in line but she came prepared.

TURF was probably one of the most low-key music festivals I have ever been to. If I’m being honest, it was a really nice change from the complete insanity of big-ticket shindigs. Those weekends have their time and place, but so do fests like TURF, where it really is all about listening to some good music. And eating. Obviously.