Summer Gear Guide: Seasonal Essentials for Music and Festival Lovers

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The post Summer Gear Guide: Seasonal Essentials for Music and Festival Lovers appeared first on Consequence.

The warm weather is back from its winter hibernation, which means we’re back with a guide to the essential gear you’ll want this summer. It’s the season of backyard hangs, beach hangs, and live music excursions, so we’ve gathered together some must-have items you’ll want with you all summer long.

Whether you’re looking for the best in audio, the festival essentials, or the envy-inducing tech, this list has something for everyone. Check out the complete guide below.

And of course, you can find even more summer fun at the Consequence Shop, including our CBD lines like Flower Lab, Rome & Duddy’s Good Times (with select items on BOGO sale now!), and GWAR’s Bud of Gods, including the freshly launched New Dank Ages collection. You can also snag a range of apparel and accessories in our Summer and Festival merch collections.


Live Music Essentials

$25 All-In Concert Tickets for Concert Week

summer 2023 tours live nation concert week
summer 2023 tours live nation concert week

National Concert Week

Summer is the season of live music, with outdoor venues opened wide and artists mapping out massive tours. With so many shows to choose from, Live Nation is helping fill your concert calendar without emptying your wallet with its annual Concert Week $25 all-in tickets promo. From May 10th-16th, over 3,800 shows will be on sale for just $25 flat. Just some of the tours available during the sale include Fleet Foxes, Fall Out Boy, Janet Jackson, Beck and Phoenix, LL Cool J, The National, My Morning Jacket, Wu-Tang Clan and Nas, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley, Jimmy Eat World and Manchester Orchestra, The All-American Rejects, Danny Elfman, and literally hundreds more.

Tickets go on sale May 10th and you can see the full list of qualifying events here.

Get $25 All-In Tickets Here

Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs ($26.95):

Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs summer gear guide
Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs summer gear guide

There’s nothing better than enjoying live music outside. Whether you’re out on a bar patio listening to local bands, standing in a giant field watching a megastar with thousands of other fans, or filling the aisles of your favorite amphitheater, summer is built for live music.

So let’s make sure your ears can tolerate how loud all those good times can be. Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs are the perfect concert companion. More comfortable than disposable foam earplugs and specifically designed to lower the volume without turning down the sound quality, these discrete earplugs come in three sizes. Sure to feel good, keep the sound clear, and stay plugged in no matter how hard you headbang, you can grab yours via Amazon.

Fujifilm — Mini Link 2 ($99.95, $149.99 for kit):

fujifilm printer summer gear guide
fujifilm printer summer gear guide

So you’re at the show of the summer and you’ve shot dozens of photos and captured all those videos on your cellphone. Now what? Those images and clips just live in your photo gallery, maybe to be shared once and then long forgotten. Wouldn’t it be great to have a physical keepsake of all those fond memories?

That’s where the Instax Mini Link 2 comes in. This compact Bluetooth printer lets you print physical photos right from your phone. The companion app even lets you get creative by adding frames, stickers, emojis, and even your own drawings to your prints. Plus, there’s the INSTAXAir Function, letting you draw bubbles, petals, neon, glitter, and spray paint in the air by using the Mini Link 2 – and even capture the video of your drawing and have it play back from a QR code printed on the image. Get it in white, pink, or blue via Amazon, or get the kit that includes 40 photo sheets and a carrying case.

Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger ($25.99):

We’ve all had that experience: After a full festival day, your favorite headliner is about to take the stage. You pull out your phone to get ready to snap that entrance shot and… your battery’s dead. That’s why you need to battery pack like the Anker PowerCore 10000. While even the Ultra-Compact version is larger than your standard, cheap “lipstick” cylinder charger, the extra weight is worth it for the multiple charges it holds. A life-saving accessory that easily fits into your fanny pack or bag, it’s available in multiple colors over on Amazon.

Outdoor Essentials

WEKAPO Inflatable Lounger ($38.95):

air wekapo
air wekapo

There’s a reason WEKAPO’s inflatable lounger is the best selling air sofa on Amazon. Not only is it easy to inflate by using the wind or running to catch the air (or fan, air bump, or even leaf blower), but the unique anti-deflation technology ensures up to 6 hours inflation. There’s also the unique pillow headrest, adding an extra level of comfort you won’t see on imitators. The lounger folds up into an easy-to-carry pouch, and a pair of pockets on the side give you quick-access storage options. Great for the festival field, beach, or pool-side, get yours in a variety of colors at Amazon.

The Ukiah Tailgater II ($599.99): 

ukiah summer gear guide
ukiah summer gear guide

We can’t lie, we still love the The Ukiah Tailgater II. Thanks to the patented “reactive flame technology” and Beat to Music Mode, the flames dance to whatever’s playing through the built-in Bluetooth sound system, creating a truly hypnotic party centerpiece. Plus, with a killer 12V, 100 watt sound system with two 3.5-inch marine grade speakers and a subwoofer, it actually sounds as great as it looks.

Just portable enough for your next camping or tailgating hang, the Ukiah’s rugged, weather-resistant, powder-coated steel body is surprisingly light. You can even add a cast iron, double-sided griddle and grill cooktop accessory to make it a perfect camping stove. Pick one up (and check out their variety of other models, including fire only, pure audio, and tabletop designs) via Ukiah’s official site.

Tarpestry Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket ($154-$198):

Tapestry's
Tapestry's

The visual appeal and comfort of a cotton tapestry, the versatility of a tarp. That’s Tarpestry’s product mission in a nutshell, leading to the perfect “blanket” for music festivals, camping, or beach trips. With beautiful, silk-screened designs printed by hand onto 100% pre-shrunk cotton, these things look great; but with the water repellent and UV resistant polyester backside, they also keep you safe from damp grass or other surfaces. (Just don’t toss it on a puddle and not expect to get wet, obviously.)

Measuring 7.5′ x 4.5′, they’re large enough for two (laying down) to six (sitting) people, and the various grommet arrangements let you keep it secure on the ground or use it as a pup-tent. There’s also a velcro pocket for additional storage. Sure to last longer and be more useful than your typical tapestry, you can check out Tarpestry’s Classic collection here, or the fade-resistant Epic collection here.

YETI Roadie Wheeled Cooler ($250-$500):

yeti summer gear guide
yeti summer gear guide

Whether you’re tailgating all day at a game or heading to your favorite artist’s stadium show, Yeti has made it easy to bring all your party essentials with you in the Roadie Wheeled Cooler. The smaller footprint and vertical design makes it easier to transport than your typical cooler while allowing for more versatile packing options. Rugged wheels and a periscoping handle mean you won’t struggle to move it to and from your vehicle. Get it in 24-inch, 48-inch, or the absolutely beastly 60-inch size.

Chilling Out Indoors Essentials

South African Popular Music (Genre: A 33 1/3 Series) by Lior Phillips ($19.95):

south african 33 1:3
south african 33 1:3

If you’re looking for your next great music read, check out 33 1/3’s new “Genre” series. Lior Phillips, former Consequence editor and host of the Consequence Podcast Network series This Must Be the Gig, has penned the latest entry in the series, South African Popular Music. The book traces South Africa’s musical history “from the storied ache of mbube harmonies of the ’40s to the electronic boom of kwaito and the amapiano and house explosion of the ’00s.” Along the way, Phillips explores how music had the power to unite a country of 11 official languages in times of sociopolitical unrest and the brutal apartheid era. Get your copy via Amazon in paperback or on Kindle.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless Headphones ($699):

bowers & wilkins
bowers & wilkins

Those looking for the best set of headphones have likely come across every brand under the sun. Well, let us nudge you towards Bowers & Wilkins. These wireless over-ear cans are beautiful every way: sound, style, comfort, and tech. Six (!!) microphones provide unmatched noise cancellation, while the Carbon Cone drive units and painstakingly designed acoustic system deliver sound like you’ve never heard before. The aluminum arms ensure durability, and the Nappa leather and memory foam earpads give you long term comfort. Add in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App to adjust noise cancellation, EQ, and more, and you’ll see what they mean by top of the line. Grab yours now in black or tan at Amazon.

U-Turn Orbit Special Turntable ($199-$499):

U-turn Orbit Special turntable
U-turn Orbit Special turntable

Whether you’re in the market for your first turntable or and upgrade from that hand-me-down spinner your parents gave you, you won’t beat U-Turn’s line of Orbit turntables. These sleek record players offer a premium, audiophile-quality experience without the astronomical price tag. Though their basic model starts as low as $199, we’re a big fan of the Orbit Special. Not only does it look great with its beautiful hardwood base and an acrylic platter, the precise tonearm complete with an adjustable counterweight and cue lever delivers audio quality well beyond its $499 price tag. Available with or without a built-in preamp, check out all of the options on Amazon.

Fender Paramount PD-220E Dreadnought ($663.99):

Fender Paramount PD-220E Dreadnought
Fender Paramount PD-220E Dreadnought

No beach bonfire or backyard summer hang is complete without a little acoustic guitar. Fender’s Paramount PD-220E brings a bit of style to the experience with its blend of vintage and modern aesthetics. A beautifully designed three-color sunburst calls back to classic acoustic guitars of the ’30s and ’40s, but the hardware is state-of-the-art. Instead of ruining the mahogany finish, the volume and blend knobs are tucked discreetly inside the body. And, of course, it sounds great, with a rich and honeyed tone fit for classic rock tunes or giving a nostalgic resonance to modern favorites. Available now at 20% off, you can pick one up on Amazon.

This guide was published in partnership with Live Nation. All other products were independently selected by Consequence editors. Consequence may earn a commission on items purchased via the links in this guide.

Summer Gear Guide: Seasonal Essentials for Music and Festival Lovers
Consequence Staff

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