It’s time for that metro-Atlanta, school’s-almost-out, I-need-to-party right of passage once again, folks: that’s right, Music Midtown weekend is bearing down on us quickly, and it’s time to get ready. This year’s lineup includes some of the world’s most popular artists, including Lil’ John and the Eastside Boyz, Foo Fighters, Puddle of Mudd, the Strokes, and half of Outkast (the Big Boi half, which is, arguably, the lesser half of Outkast, but that’s neither here nor there).

Never been to Midtown? Well, congratulations. All four of you. But guess what! This year is a great year to start. To get you off on the right foot, here are some starter tips:

1. Don’t try to park at the actual event. Parking doesn’t abound in midtown on your average day, and certainly not when there are tens of thousands of extra people in the area. The nearest Marta (it’s smarta’!) station (North Springs) is just a few exits down 400 (trust me, you can’t miss it), and from there you simply take the train to either the Civic Center or my personal preference North Avenue stations and follow the crowds. Scared to leave your dad’s Beemer and ride Marta? Don’t worry; Music Midtown is public transportation’s most suburban-friendly weekend.

2. If you’re going to “use the facilities” at Music Midtown, use the Port-a-Potties early in the day. Better yet, go before you leave the house, because…eww.

3. If you’re going to do a full 8- or 10- hour day at Midtown, don’t leave the sunscreen at home (as my best friend and I did so tragically two years ago). Just because there’s no warm sand and sparkling ocean doesn’t mean the sun won’t burn you just as badly in Midtown Atlanta as it will in Destin.

4. Bring a map to with you, especially if you’re a first-timer, so you can find the stages and won’t miss anything while wandering around lost. Also, pay careful attention to where there may be autograph tables. Usually it’s a bunch of B-listers, but every now and then the Midtown folks come through with a truly amazing band willing to sign things and say hi.

5. Flip flops are not appropriate mosh pit attire.

Ok, so now you know what to do in order to stay comfortable, but with a schedule so vast, who do you see? Not everyone is a music aficionado, but for the sonically challenged, we’re here for you. On Friday night, the V103 stage is the festival’s best bet, even if you’re not a huge rap fan. Youngbloodz and Lil’ John and the Eastside Boyz are up back-to-back, and even the biggest hipster won’t be able to resist singing (we know you know the words) and dancing if the mood is right. After all, with the biggest competition coming from Puddle of Mudd, who wouldn’t give Lil’ John a shot? On Saturday, head on over to the 99x stage for Damien Rice, the Offspring, and the Foo Fighters, but I’d suggest splitting time between the Foo Fighters and Big Boi, who play simultaneously. As for Sunday, go see the Fire Theft if you are a fan of Sunny Day Real Estate’s older stuff, but if that’s not your cup of tea, stay home and sleep off the other two days of partying, because the schedule isn’t good enough to get most reasonable people out of bed. So have a great time, bring plenty of cash for $2 Cokes, and don’t buy too many band t-shirts, because I promise you won’t ever wear most of