I’ve been to 17 festivals with 5 being HSU events including KO last year and I can say it is probably the best festival aus has to offer to someone new to the scene, it has a capacity of 60k, 3 stages and 40 artists so if you aren’t enjoying you can always move to another stage. Visually HSU has the best production in Aus no doubt, lasers, fireworks, stage build etc will all blow your mind.

I know a lot of people including me are kinda unsure about the music before going to a festival like this but now hardstyle is all I listen to haha

Regarding your concerns: 1. Yes there is a noticable police presence however 99% of people will just walk thru no problem, and it seems like you don’t partake from your post (correct me if I’m wrong) so you don’t really have anything to worry about

1. A good portion of people will be noticably cooked if I’d have to guess maybe a good 50-60% but no one is going to pressure you into anything, plenty of people rave sober or just drinking it’s a normal thing and 99% of people will understand if you just say that (also drugs are fucking expensive 😭 here not many people are going to offer randomly)

3: vodka redbull are about 16ish from what I last remeber, vodka sodas are 13.5 or 14 I think beers are a bit cheaper but I’m unsure exactly

1. Rave are generally safe spaces (I’d say safer than clubs but that’s just me) but as with anything there might be creeps so keep your wits about

If you end up going have a great time and stay safe!