Despite all our attempts back in October, we weren't lucky enough to get tickets to Glastonbury. I was gutted. At least I've got Sziget to look forward to!
If anyone reading this is going to their very first festival, here are some of my tips:
Packing Essentials
1. Torch
Finding your tent at 2am after your fair share of ciders is a lot harder than you think, especially with those pesky guide ropes everywhere!
2. Cowboy Hat
When else can you wear one in public?! It also prevents the dreaded sunburnt scalp so you don't spend the week after looking like a Head & Shoulders before shot.
3. Tissues
There will NEVER be any loo roll - even on the first day. Buy several packets of Kleenex (trust me, there will never be enough to go around otherwise), pop in your bag and share with friends. Toilet roll is a lot more awkward to carry around, and chances are it will get all soggy anyway...
4. Alcohol
It is a well known fact that the drink prices at UK festivals are EXTORTIONATE. A lot of festivals ban alcohol into the arena - even if they let you take it into the campsite, what use is that?! Lucky for you, I have some sneaky tips...
- If your taking spirits, decant into a big plastic bottle. Then once you're in the campsite decant it further into smaller plastic bottles and top up with your mixer. If you are unlucky enough to get a savvy guard to sniff it out at least you haven't lost the whole lot! I've only been 'caught' once - he sniffed the bottle and either was unable to detect the smell of peach schnapps or couldn't be bothered to confiscate it off me. Didn't matter 'cos I had the booze!
- If you do try the previous method, don't confuse the vodka for water!
- Or you can get one of these:
5. Disposable BBQ
These are great on the first day, as you don't have to blow your money on food straight away. Also a lot more sociable, and a good way to mingle with your new neighbours (see below). It's also a good idea to take a few deckchairs so you have somewhere to sit outside of your tent
6. Cheap sunglasses/phone/camera
In fact just buy a cheap version of anything valuable you have to take out there. Chances are it will either get lost or ruined at a festival so save yourself the heartbreak!
General advice:
There will always be clashes between your favourite artists - it's inevitable. You won't be able to see everything. Just enjoy it in the moment rather than fret over how much time you have left at Bastille before you need to run somewhere else to catch the end of Vampire Weekend. If everyone else wants to see a different artist, don't let that stop you seeing an act you really want to, you'll regret it if you don't! Festivals are very sociable events, it's really not a big deal if you go somewhere solo!
Befriend your neighbours. Not only may you find someone who might want to see the artist you want, you're also less likely to get stuff pinched from your tent. There is ALWAYS a hungover dude chilling by the tents, he can watch the stuff.
Don't worry about how you look/smell. Everyone is in the same boat, trust me there are a lot smellier and dirtier people out there! All you need is some baby wipes, deodorant and dry shampoo to maintain a reasonable level of freshness. Don't bother with the showers - they cost money and waste a good few hours of your day, there's music to see!
Expectation:
Reality:
It's not all about the music. A lot of festivals have so much more going on, have an explore round some of the weird and wonderful tents. Glastonbury has loads of different 'villages' to explore - some of my best memories have been from stumbling across something unexpected!
Finally, don't go too hard on day one. Your first festival is exciting and it's easy to get carried away, but remember...It's a marathon not a sprint!
Have a cracking time!
Oh and one more thing. Don't pitch your tent near the portaloos.
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