NationStates Jolt Archive

'Tis the season, the season for music festivals. I'm off to Leeds Fest next weekend - my first festival ever - shame the weather looks crap. Anyway, what festivals have you been to this year/are going to this year? And any handy tips for a newb? :)

I went to Download this year. There were riots. Three trucks of riot police were called in. And all because Guns N' Roses suck. And I might be going to Get Loaded In The Park this weekend, in London.

Tips for a newb? At Leeds - go to the Concrete Jungle stage, that's where the punk is. And make sure you're right in the middle of the pit for Slayer. Fuck yes.

I went to Download this year. There were riots. Three trucks of riot police were called in. And all because Guns N' Roses suck. And I might be going to Get Loaded In The Park this weekend, in London.

Tips for a newb? At Leeds - go to the Concrete Jungle stage, that's where the punk is. And make sure you're right in the middle of the pit for Slayer. Fuck yes.
That is sound advice. Oh yes.

Outdoor music festivals often have lovely mud. :)

I went to Download this year. There were riots. Three trucks of riot police were called in. And all because Guns N' Roses suck. And I might be going to Get Loaded In The Park this weekend, in London.

I was passed out (too much sun :() in the disabled camp during the riots. Did not appreciate being woken up at godknowswhen because some idiots were throwing burning things over the hedge at us :\

Tips for a newb? At Leeds - go to the Concrete Jungle stage, that's where the punk is. And make sure you're right in the middle of the pit for Slayer. Fuck yes.
And to the OP, ^^ thats the only advice you need. Oh, except for don't camp near the toilets. Ever. Not because they smell, but because people make them explode on the last night ;)

I was passed out (too much sun :() in the disabled camp during the riots. Did not appreciate being woken up at godknowswhen because some idiots were throwing burning things over the hedge at us :\


And to the OP, ^^ thats the only advice you need. Oh, except for don't camp near the toilets. Ever. Not because they smell, but because people make them explode on the last night ;)
I believe my first words when I woke up on the Monday morning were 'Dude, that tree's on fire'.

I don't remember what the toilets were like at Leeds when I went (2004), because I didn't use them. Pissed up against a wall and didn't take a crap all weekend. However, if they're like the drop bog there was at Download, here's some good advice - take your own toilet roll, practice holding your breath for a few minutes at a time, and really, really, really don't camp near them.

Outdoor music festivals often have lovely mud. :)
*takes notes*

Outdoor music festivals often have lovely mud. :)
Sadly, Download didn't. The result of a week of temperatures in excess of 30 Celsius, and no clouds, let alone rain.

Outdoor music festivals often have lovely mud. :)
http://www.virgin.net/music/picturegalleries/postglastonbury2004/pix/01_main.jpg
*nods*

No festivals for me, because my summer classes forced me to miss out. But I did see a great concert last week; Bela Fleck and the Flecktones with Adrian Belew opening. That was a great show. They're both getting old, but neither of them has lost it yet.

Meh. Concrete Jungle stage at Reading was cool, and the campsite raucously fun, however the Carling line up this year is awful.

I went to V, since I only live 5 minutes down the road from Chelmsford. It pissed it down all weekend, but it didn't get muddy at all. Really odd.

I believe my first words when I woke up on the Monday morning were 'Dude, that tree's on fire'.
I got woken up very early monday by the security guard, who was absolutely shitting himself. Reassuring :\

I don't remember what the toilets were like at Leeds when I went (2004), because I didn't use them. Pissed up against a wall and didn't take a crap all weekend. However, if they're like the drop bog there was at Download, here's some good advice - take your own toilet roll, practice holding your breath for a few minutes at a time, and really, really, really don't camp near them.

When I went there were long drop ones (which after friday you really really don't wanna use unless there is absolutely no other possible choice) and chemical ones (which burn well). Don't camp near either ;)

And take suncream. Lots of it. I still have sunburn from Download, and that was ages ago.

Festival season's almost over here dude; Leeds/Reading and Creamfields used to be the last festivals of summer (not sure now). I'm off to Leeds too, this being my 4th year. Tips? Um...

1. Use the portaloos inside the arena in preference to the cubicle-pit things outside. They're cleaner, more likely to have bog roll and you can't see the stream of urine from the person opposite through your toilet bowl.

2. Get an official guide/band times neck thing. You can plan your day around the bands you want to see and possibly notice bands you didn't know were there/wouldn't normally watch/are going to be massive.

3. Get there early on the Thursday. There're two queues into leeds; the driving one and the getting a lift/bus one. Both have large queues very early that build quickly...how can I demostrate this? The first year I drove, I set off from Preston at 11:30 and got to the M1 south of Leeds by 1pm. I got into the site at 4:30pm. The second year I drove, we set off at 9 in the morning and got fully set up in the site by 1pm, including the repeated long slogs to and from the car.

4. The camp site fills quickly. Don't expect that just because you camp in a set spot, you'll have any space there. We woke up on a friday morning once with a tent pitched right outside our doorway. Don't expect to form a ring of tents either; people will camp there. Also, Leeds campsite has a lot of hilly bits. Try and get a flat bit, it makes the world of difference.

5. Watch Slayer. I don't fucking care if you like them or not, it's an experience which MUST NOT BE MISSED.

6. If you want to be in the pit on the main stage all day, get as far forwards as possible. You'll get crushed, sure, but you'll also be able to reach the cups of water they hand out. Lifesaver, literally.

7. If there's riots or minor unrest, join in. It's fun and festival goers don't generally attack each other. Unless you're an emo, in which case there's usually some psycho punk kids who may want to kick your arse. Then again, they'd do that without the rioting, so who cares? Just avoid the rentacops like the plague.

8. Take portable bbqs. Food's expensive, soft drinks are expensive, alcohol is expensive. The vendors have you by the balls and they're going to squeeze. Also, avoid the supermarket (it's shit and the queue is huge). Also take crates of cheap beer - that carling cold beer amnesty is a godsend.

9. Take only cash and one card, and hide that card somewhere off your person along with some money. We found a load of stashed wallets under a corner of our tent one year, all without cash or credit/debit cards. At least if your wallet gets nicked with all your money, you can get more from the onsite ATM (another huge queue).

10. As. Many. Bands. As. Possible. There's only so much stoned bollocks talk you can take, and it's a fucking festival, for christ's sake :D

Most of that's just basic stuff like. The toilets stink, the food's overpriced, you'll be dirty a lot. But who gives a fuck? You're at a goddamn festival mate, it's the one of the best experiences ever!

I went to Download this year. There were riots. Three trucks of riot police were called in. And all because Guns N' Roses suck. And I might be going to Get Loaded In The Park this weekend, in London.

Tips for a newb? At Leeds - go to the Concrete Jungle stage, that's where the punk is. And make sure you're right in the middle of the pit for Slayer. Fuck yes.

I went to a Forward Russia gig a few weeks ago, and there was a riot. The band were fine and all. It's just, I live in Manchester..

Meh. Concrete Jungle stage at Reading was cool, and the campsite raucously fun, however the Carling line up this year is awful.
Muse, Slayer, Placebo, My Chemical Romance, Less Than Jake, Floggin Molly, Panic! At the Disco, Killswitch Engage and that's just the main stage. I would have said it's pretty good, myself.

11. Steal the bar sign.

Just wondering, how many people here are from the UK? It seems like everyone's gone to Leeds except for me.

Oh, and don't take a bag into the pit or I'll kick your face in. People with bags in pits are the most annoying thing. Even crowdsurfers are more fun, because at least they're getting into the spirit.

Muse, Slayer, Placebo, My Chemical Romance, Less Than Jake, Floggin Molly, Panic! At the Disco, Killswitch Engage and that's just the main stage. I would have said it's pretty good, myself.
Maybe he means the Carling stage for small bands.

I went to V, since I only live 5 minutes down the road from Chelmsford. It pissed it down all weekend, but it didn't get muddy at all. Really odd.
Oh, god. I worked in the car park there two years ago (to pay for Leeds, actually), and it was a fucking mud bath. Cars were getting stuck in the mud every 5 minutes. And would the drivers listen to our advice? No. Because of course they knew better than a group of people who'd been getting cars out of the mud all fucking weekend.

Just wondering, how many people here are from the UK? It seems like everyone's gone to Leeds except for me.

I am, and I haven't been either.

Muse, Slayer, Placebo, My Chemical Romance, Less Than Jake, Floggin Molly, Panic! At the Disco, Killswitch Engage and that's just the main stage. I would have said it's pretty good, myself.
Good, good, good, shite, meh, good, utter shite, meh...

Erm...you forgot to list PEARL JAM! How?!

Muse, Slayer, Placebo, My Chemical Romance, Less Than Jake, Floggin Molly, Panic! At the Disco, Killswitch Engage and that's just the main stage. I would have said it's pretty good, myself.

I listen to three of thoe bands. Thats it.

Oh, and don't take a bag into the pit or I'll kick your face in. People with bags in pits are the most annoying thing. Even crowdsurfers are more fun, because at least they're getting into the spirit.

The worst people are fat. They sweat awfully, fart, and refuse to move.

3. Get there early on the Thursday. There're two queues into leeds; the driving one and the getting a lift/bus one. Both have large queues very early that build quickly...how can I demostrate this? The first year I drove, I set off from Preston at 11:30 and got to the M1 south of Leeds by 1pm. I got into the site at 4:30pm. The second year I drove, we set off at 9 in the morning and got fully set up in the site by 1pm, including the repeated long slogs to and from the car.


Most of that's just basic stuff like. The toilets stink, the food's overpriced, you'll be dirty a lot. But who gives a fuck? You're at a goddamn festival mate, it's the one of the best experiences ever!


I live in Leeds. It's just off the ring road. :D We shall be there early. And BBQs - genius idea!

Good, good, good, shite, meh, good, utter shite, meh...

Erm...you forgot to list PEARL JAM! How?!
My bad. >.>

2. Get an official guide/band times neck thing. You can plan your day around the bands you want to see and possibly notice bands you didn't know were there/wouldn't normally watch/are going to be massive.
Can you not print one off the festival website? It'll just be paper, but it works just as well. You can get every stage for every day on the same page as well that way.

3. Get there early on the Thursday. There're two queues into leeds; the driving one and the getting a lift/bus one. Both have large queues very early that build quickly...how can I demostrate this? The first year I drove, I set off from Preston at 11:30 and got to the M1 south of Leeds by 1pm. I got into the site at 4:30pm. The second year I drove, we set off at 9 in the morning and got fully set up in the site by 1pm, including the repeated long slogs to and from the car.
Hell, yes. Also, if you're coming from the south, don't get suckered into believin that the long queue for the M1 exit is necessarily the one you want. Sure, it's the one signposted for the festival, but if you take the next one you come onto the right road almost straight away. Problem then is that you can't turn into the site from the side of the road you're on, so just do a 180 in the middle of the road and force your way into the queue.

5. Watch Slayer. I don't fucking care if you like them or not, it's an experience which MUST NOT BE MISSED.
Seconded.

6. If you want to be in the pit on the main stage all day, get as far forwards as possible. You'll get crushed, sure, but you'll also be able to reach the cups of water they hand out. Lifesaver, literally.
Seconded. Take the water even if you don't need it - you might not get the chance later.

7. If there's riots or minor unrest, join in. It's fun and festival goers don't generally attack each other. Unless you're an emo, in which case there's usually some psycho punk kids who may want to kick your arse. Then again, they'd do that without the rioting, so who cares? Just avoid the rentacops like the plague.
Heh, yep. :p

9. Take only cash and one card, and hide that card somewhere off your person along with some money. We found a load of stashed wallets under a corner of our tent one year, all without cash or credit/debit cards. At least if your wallet gets nicked with all your money, you can get more from the onsite ATM (another huge queue).
If you're lucky (as I was) the cash machine won't even register the fact you've taken money out. £70 for free! :D

I listen to three of thoe bands. Thats it.
Yeah, but you're an emo. So your taste in music can safely be ignored. ;)

Yeah, but you're an emo. So your taste in music can safely be ignored. ;)

MCR, getting beyond the screaming grily thing, are good. Flogging Molly are just cool, and Placebo are also cool.

MCR, getting beyond the screaming grily thing, are good. Flogging Molly are just cool, and Placebo are also cool.
Damn. While I can't stand MCR, I do like Flogging Molly's Drunken Lullabies. And Placebo do rock. I'll be seeing them in London in December.

Damn. While I can't stand MCR, I do like Flogging Molly's Drunken Lullabies. And Placebo do rock. I'll be seeing them in London in December.
Saw them in Newcastle in april, very good. Shame I got stuck behing a fat sweaty asshole.:mad:

Damn. While I can't stand MCR, I do like Flogging Molly's Drunken Lullabies. And Placebo do rock. I'll be seeing them in London in December.

Flogging Molly at Colchester Arts Centre were unbelievable two years ago. Fucking brilliant.

The worst people are fat. They sweat awfully, fart, and refuse to move.
Nah, because fat people can't help it in the short term and their padding can help. You're going to get sweaty with other people's sweat anyway, what's wrong with a fat persons? Although getting crushed by a falling behemoth is no fun.

A bag (especially the sort sported by your average 'I'm going to take a bag into a pit' retard) will always have pointy bits, or hard bits, or bits that stick in your knackers. Anything that can't be safely carried in pockets shouldn't be taken in, it's that simple.

@I V - yeah, you can get the times of the site, but those neck things aren't that expensive, they're laminated (they don't die!) and you get a magazine with it that's mildly entertaining during the shite band/run out of cold beer periods.

@I V - yeah, you can get the times of the site, but those neck things aren't that expensive, they're laminated (they don't die!) and you get a magazine with it that's mildly entertaining during the shite band/run out of cold beer periods.
I know - I still have the one I nicked off a friend at Leeds, and I got one free at Download.

I know - I still have the one I nicked off a friend at Leeds, and I got one free at Download.
Every year I've managed to find an intact one on the floor :D

Usually just after my mate's bought his...

Every year I've managed to find an intact one on the floor :D

Usually just after my mate's bought his...
If you're looking for one, you'll find one.

I just remembered, I went to another festival earlier this month. It was an all-day electronica/dub festival at a park in Leicester. All I remember is that my negative perception of dub was almost entirely enforced (though I will now grudgingly admit that when done well it's not too bad), that the Splitters are poo, and that there was a bald fat man who is a fucking genius when it comes to electronica.

Nah, because fat people can't help it in the short term and their padding can help. You're going to get sweaty with other people's sweat anyway, what's wrong with a fat persons? Although getting crushed by a falling behemoth is no fun.

A bag (especially the sort sported by your average 'I'm going to take a bag into a pit' retard) will always have pointy bits, or hard bits, or bits that stick in your knackers. Anything that can't be safely carried in pockets shouldn't be taken in, it's that simple.

@I V - yeah, you can get the times of the site, but those neck things aren't that expensive, they're laminated (they don't die!) and you get a magazine with it that's mildly entertaining during the shite band/run out of cold beer periods.

No its bloody not. It hurt.:(

I do have a passing dislike for people who fight to get to the front, and five minutes later faint.

No its bloody not. It hurt.:(

I do have a passing dislike for people who fight to get to the front, and five minutes later faint.
Yeah. I haven't seen much of that, but I reckon someone's going to break something when slayer come on :p

Yeah. I haven't seen much of that, but I reckon someone's going to break something when slayer come on :p

A friend of mine broke his nose at Reading two years ago. The crowd divided and charged at each other.....:D

I'm still a festival virgin BUT I've already statred saving for V and hopefull Glastonbury will be on next year cos I'm saving for that too. As you can see I'm alrready plannign the best summer I can before going to Uni.

I'm still a festival virgin BUT I've already statred saving for V and hopefull Glastonbury will be on next year cos I'm saving for that too. As you can see I'm alrready plannign the best summer I can before going to Uni.

Don't go to V. Do Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

I'll add that to the list. Now I'm saving for 3 festivals:p

I'll add that to the list. Now I'm saving for 3 festivals:p

I've just got back from Durham open day, having sold my Reading ticket to go.......:(

I went to a Forward Russia gig a few weeks ago, and there was a riot. The band were fine and all. It's just, I live in Manchester..

Yea, you'll probably find the riot occurred because the rest of the audience realised they were at a Forward Russia gig instead of the good band they thought they were going to see...





Anyway, screw British festivals. European ones are where it's at. I was at Rock Werchter in Belgium (in Leuven, for all you Stella drinkers) and for the four days it cost £100, camping all in. The lineup was awesome (I saw Death Cab for Cutie, Chilis, Deftones Tool, Editors, Muse, The Who, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Elbow, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, The Raconteurs, Wolfmother, Placebo, Eels, Robert Plant, Depeche Mode) and you meet a much more diverse crowd of people...and the weed's cheaper.

I've just got back from Durham open day, having sold my Reading ticket to go.......:(

What why? Isn't Reading the weekend coming up?

I've just got back from Durham open day, having sold my Reading ticket to go.......:(

Everybody I know at Durham says the nightlife is complete bollocks, and you have to go to Newcastle to do anything.

Everybody I know at Durham says the nightlife is complete bollocks, and you have to go to Newcastle to do anything.

I found that out. I'm going to York or kings. Much more fun.

Anyway, screw British festivals. European ones are where it's at. I was at Rock Werchter in Belgium (in Leuven, for all you Stella drinkers) and for the four days it cost £100, camping all in. The lineup was awesome (I saw Death Cab for Cutie, Chilis, Deftones Tool, Editors, Muse, The Who, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Elbow, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, The Raconteurs, Wolfmother, Placebo, Eels, Robert Plant, Depeche Mode) and you meet a much more diverse crowd of people...and the weed's cheaper.
Yeah, at some point in the future I intend to go to Roskilde, Rock Am Ring, and there are metal festivals in Lithuania, Serbia and France that I have my eye on. Oh, and Wacken (sp?).

I'm actually going to see four of those bands in the next few months - Mogwai, Muse, Tool and Placebo, and I saw Deftones at Download. And I would kill to see Sigur Ros, Eels, and Death Cab for Cutie.

'Tis the season, the season for music festivals. I'm off to Leeds Fest next weekend - my first festival ever - shame the weather looks crap. Anyway, what festivals have you been to this year/are going to this year? And any handy tips for a newb? :)


Bring clean underwear! And use a water proof tent. Dunnes Stores are selling non water proof tents and a friends sister was stupid enough to buy one and use it at Oxygen. Anyone going to the electric picnic?

Oh. My. God.

Muse.

Oh. My. God.

Muse.

Indeed.

Bring clean underwear! And use a water proof tent. Dunnes Stores are selling non water proof tents and a friends sister was stupid enough to buy one and use it at Oxygen. Anyone going to the electric picnic?

Wait. A tent? Thats not. Waterproof.


?


*beep* Does not compute *implodes*


Ahem. Anyway, Now that I've made my monosyllablic expression of wonder at Muse (and man oh man did they deserve it) time for a more detailed rundown. Despite the weather on sunday night, and being camped 30 miles away from the arena, I've got to say that was sodding amazing! So many good bands, but special mention goes to Less than Jake, Gogol Bordello, Flogging Molly, Pearl Jam (never heard a single track of theirs before but they were excellent) and I was impressed by Franz Ferdinand, who I didn't think would be as good as they were. My only regret was missing Reel Big Fish and Milliencolin, but Muse beckoned. Oh, and kudos to the kid we dubbed 'Cameraman', who took his digital SLR into the pit during Pearl Jam, and emerged unscathed. For a first festival, that was really really good, roll on next year.

Ah, I went to Reading Festival on Saturday. My first festival ever. :) Being covered in dirt and other people's sweat was worth it for getting to see MUSE! *cue lots and lots of exclamation marks and fangirling because I can't describe how amazing they really were*
Also, Flogging Molly and Reel Big Fish.

Wait. A tent? Thats not. Waterproof.


?


*beep* Does not compute *implodes*Strangely enough, the same thing happened to a guy and his gf who we were staying with. They managed to produce enough condensation (*ahem*) on the first night that it rained inside their tent. :eek:Ahem. Anyway, Now that I've made my monosyllablic expression of wonder at Muse (and man oh man did they deserve it) time for a more detailed rundown. Despite the weather on sunday night, and being camped 30 miles away from the arena, I've got to say that was sodding amazing! So many good bands, but special mention goes to Less than Jake, Gogol Bordello, Flogging Molly, Pearl Jam (never heard a single track of theirs before but they were excellent) and I was impressed by Franz Ferdinand, who I didn't think would be as good as they were. My only regret was missing Reel Big Fish and Milliencolin, but Muse beckoned. Oh, and kudos to the kid we dubbed 'Cameraman', who took his digital SLR into the pit during Pearl Jam, and emerged unscathed. For a first festival, that was really really good, roll on next year.Oh my God that fucking rain after Muse! I was camped back in Orange F somewhere and it took me 50 minutes to get back. Luckily, a nice young girl we were with was on hand with a towel and blanket, so I got 45 minutes of being warmed up slowly from my semi-hypothermic state. Couldn't think at one point, but it was all worth it for FUCKING MUSE!!!

As for other bands; Slayer ruled, Pearl Jam were probably the second best band there (AFTER MUUUUUSE!!), Bedouin Soundclash was the closest I felt to both audience and band (we had to sing when the night feels my song for Jay Malinowski because his voice was fucked, but it was amazing seeing the crowd singing along perfectly :) ), and Duels, Metric and Send More Paramedics (Zombie Thrash Metal? Yes please!) were the best random finds for myself. Loads of other bands rocked my cock (Feeder, The Streets Arctic Monkeys, Mastodon, Less than Jake) and some really didn't (Dirty Pretty Things; WHY WERE YOU SO BAAAAD? :( ) but, all in all, that was the best weekend I've had since the last Leeds.

And I've already bought next year's tickets :D

Also, did you see the can man? Creative genius, that was.

Also, did you see the can man? Creative genius, that was.

Nearly took a can man to the face during Muse! :D

To be honest, I thought the crowd during Slayer was rubbish. I mean, I couldn't fault their playing, and their attitude was infinitely more preferable to Killswitch 'we're gonna fuck all your mothers on the ferris wheel' Engage's. It jsut seemed like nobody (apart from the people right at the front) actually gave a damn. Well, I dunno.

Oh, and Orange F? beat Brown B:p
Although we had packed all our stuff up in the morning and after Muse buggered straight off back to a nice warm bed...

I went to the Wacken Open Air this year. It was definitively worth the money.*headbang*

Nearly took a can man to the face during Muse! :D

To be honest, I thought the crowd during Slayer was rubbish. I mean, I couldn't fault their playing, and their attitude was infinitely more preferable to Killswitch 'we're gonna fuck all your mothers on the ferris wheel' Engage's. It jsut seemed like nobody (apart from the people right at the front) actually gave a damn. Well, I dunno.

Oh, and Orange F? beat Brown B:p
Although we had packed all our stuff up in the morning and after Muse buggered straight off back to a nice warm bed...
You weren't the reason that can man lost a leg were you? :eek:

Yeah, I know what you mean about Slayer. Thing is, I've wanted to see them for about 3 years now, so they could have almost fucked up constantly and I still would have thought they were great.

As for getting back to a warm bed after muse - real festival goers were stuck in the car park for over 4 hours :p

Send More Paramedics (Zombie Thrash Metal? Yes please!)
Heh, I saw them at the start of August. They're songs are predictably rather crap, but the gig (and the pit) was immense.

I went to Download this year. There were riots. Three trucks of riot police were called in. And all because Guns N' Roses suck. And I might be going to Get Loaded In The Park this weekend, in London.

Tips for a newb? At Leeds - go to the Concrete Jungle stage, that's where the punk is. And make sure you're right in the middle of the pit for Slayer. Fuck yes.

i wanted to go to Download but meh :(

haven't been to a festival in 2 years now :(



tips would be.... hide the weed well cos festival prices are sick, and bring plenty of beer.

I'll kill those misleading titles!

i wanted to go to Download but meh :(

haven't been to a festival in 2 years now :(
Awwww...:p

Never mind, the London meet will more than make up for it :D

I went to Download this year. There were riots. Three trucks of riot police were called in.


Ah, good times