5 Signs You’ve Found Your Festival Squad

There’s a curious affection that blossoms between friends when they go through the combined struggle and elation of attending a festival together. Whether it’s the bliss of seeing the rock gods of our time live or the creative inspiration at the bottom of this melting pot of good intentions, few can argue with the simple fact that music brings us together.

With each moment together, friends grow closer, but somewhere around the time when the third and fourth members join the group, the laws of squad dynamics take over and something tremendously special is born. More like a family than a friendship, the squad is the core component of music culture and the cement that keeps its foundation strong.

The process of affirming your members can be difficult. Some find the experience both tragic and beautiful at the same time, but that’s the magic in evolving from super friends to festival squad. A good squad will help you be a better (or more hilarious) version of yourself, but many wonder, “How do I know if I’ve found my squad?” It’s a valid question. After all, the beauty of festivals is that friends can be found all over, but to unleash their true power, sometimes it helps to have a circle of people to count on.

Still looking for your fest fam? Don’t fret! We’ve put together this handy guide covering the five signs you’ve found your squad.

Do You Have Matching Costumes?
There’s nothing quite like gallivanting through a crowd in matching wigs and parasols. Have you ever dressed up as bees for an orchestrated swarming? Sometimes you just need a bath in a onesie-clad cudd pudd to know it’s real. One of the hallmarks of a good team is a coordinated outfit. If you and your crew have already dyed your hair together or rocked matching accessories, that’s a strong sign you’ve got a squad in the making.

Are You Caught Up in Long Hugs Every Time You Meet?
In a wonderland where hugs replace handshakes, it doesn’t take long to realize that embraces are happening with more openness and frequency. Hugs are a sort of communication here. We say hello, goodbye and thank you, all with a quick squeeze. We even resolve conflicts this way, but when public embraces happen “just because,” that’s a good sign you’re fully squadding. Another giveaway is when your hugs typically involve six or more arms.

Do You Regularly Share Water or Snacks?
We’ve all been there. You’re running low on water, and the evening hunger starts becoming more persistent as the sun begins to set. That’s when a squad mate shows up with extra water, some snacks, and just enough hope to get you through the next three sets. This is quality squadding at its finest—because, at its core, it’s really all about taking care of ourselves and each other.

Are Carpooling Sing-Alongs a Regular Occurrence?
Participation in generally goofish antics and other shenanigans are an extremely reliable signal you’re among your squad. If you’re attending a festival together, chances are you’ll have some common music interests. To explore those in the ride together, put on some of your most anticipated performers from the lineup and start singing. If it’s a friend, they’ll get a solid chuckle and a few moments of entertainment. If it’s your squad, you’ll be harmonizing the highs and lows within a few beats.

Can you carry a whole conversation in song lyrics?
Going even a step further, one surefire sign you’ve found squad-rate buds is that you can carry on whole conversations in song lyrics.

“Where are you now that I need you?” —Jack Ü

“You’re already gone.” —Zeds Dead

“We could all fall in love together.” —Kiesza

“It’s always easy to say I love you when I’m naked.” —Alison Wonderland

“What about a hit of your love?” —Hayden James

“The only risk is that you go insane.” —Flume

This takes time to master for some; for others, it comes instinctively. But if in typical discussion more than half the words exchanged come from your favorite tracks, there can be little doubt: You’re home.

How do you know if you’ve found your squad? Tell us in the comments!