Music Festivals

Heading off to music festivals this summer? If so, you're in for a wild time. Some of my best experiences ever have happened at music festivals. The atmosphere. The music. The lights. The fun and sense of community. Seeing some of your idols in the flesh.

What an experience!

However, there are a number of preparations you should make to fully enjoy the music festival you are going to.

Firstly, if it is a multi-day festival (as so many are these days) are you going for the whole thing? If the answer is yes, then the next question is where you are going to sleep? Most festival goers, if they are allowed, camp on site. It is the cheapest and most fun option. You are surrounded by other festival goers and is the ultimate experience. In this case you will of course need to own (or borrow) a tent together with a sleeping bag and something to lie on.

There are also downsides to camping though which leads other people to either stay in hotels or only visit for a single day. Camp sites are understandably prone to petty crime as things get stolen or damaged by overzealous (and drunk!) festival goers. Also, the inevitable mud that accompanies such a camping field. With thousands of people trudging around a field for a weekend - often during rain - the camp sites can often turn into a swamp. Take Wellies and at least one more change of clothes than you think you will need just incase.

Also kep in mind the noise. This is a music festival after all - a field full of drunk fun-lovers listening to loud music. If you are a light sleeper either take ear plugs or consider alternative accommodation. The last thing to consider are the "facilities". Festival toilets and showers are notoriously bad. The clean-freaks among us have difficulties coping with such conditions and make the thought of a comfy hotel room just that little bit more welcoming.

The long and short of it is this. If you want the full experience and you don't mind roughing it (to put it mildly) then consider camping at the festival. In contrast, you you like your home comforts (even just a little bit!) then I would recommend finding alternative accommodation. Then you can lie in your clean, peaceful hotel room after a lovely hot shower and think about everyone else lying in the mud trying to sleep with rock music pumping through the air just next door!