Festival Essentials
Girls
(Boys, skip down to yours – you really don’t want to read some of this)
Packing
Don't be one of those girls you see teetering in platform heels across the field, wheeling their huge suitcases behind them. Your festival wardrobe should consist of a flexible outfit that incorporates hot weather wear and rainwear.
Looking Good
Get thee to a stationery shop and buy a waterproof zip-lock plastic bag to put all your bits in.
Forget the usual make up bag. Take:
1. One waterproof eyeliner pencil – sharpened down to fit in a purse
2. One waterproof mascara
3. One lip liner pencil: this doubles as lipstick and cream blusher when mixed with Vaseline
4. Small bottle of tinted sun cream – three in one, foundation, moisturiser and sun cream
5. Vaseline: for use as lip balm and removing mascara
6. Book of Powder paper (try Body Shop): use instead of powder or use to blot lipstick (the powder keeps it on too)
Tips
– If possible, get foundation samples etc from boots.
– Keep your make up as cool as possible – melted make up pencils are useless.
– Forget those expensive Face Cleansing Wipes. Get Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes from your local supermarket.
Washing
Freshen up by the running water taps, or give yourself a wipe over with those trusty Baby Wipes.
You really don’t need to wash your hair – it’s two days, for crying out loud – you're at a festival and should be spending your day doing something more interesting.
If The Worst Comes To The Worst...
Mmm…. It's all a bit messy really, coping with periods at festivals. Three rules:
1. Wash hands before and after going to the toilet
2. Take ample supplies even if you think you don't need them
3. Take your Unfragranced Baby Wipes with you into the loo – if they're good enough for baby's bum…
Smooth Moves
Unless you regularly wax, you're bound to be a bit hairy over the weekend. But so is everyone else – don’t worry about it.
Important!
If you’re a whiney female, stay at home – the idea is to have FUN!
Boys
(Girls, skip this bit – boys are gruesome)
Preparation
Packing – the best advice is to take as little as possible. Unless you are jammy you will have a longer walk to your campsite than Hannibal, but without the benefit of elephants, and you should plan to make only one trip with your gear. Top tip: it’s best to arrange to meet up with any female members of your posse at the site itself –otherwise you will inevitably end up as their mule.
Clothing – Unless there's been a heat wave for the preceding two weeks, there is a high chance of mud. Wear boots and you’ll be covered. One complete change of clothing is advised, and don't forget that at the end of the day it’s likely to be cold.
On Site
Washing – Bottom line, pack a toothbrush and have a splash under one of the taps if you need to. Deodorant is probably a good idea too.
Everybody
General Rules
– Water. Drink some, fairly often, you’ll have more energy if you’re properly hydrated
– Loos – So they stink. No problem: just chew gum while you’re in there (it helps) and NEVER look down!
– Sex – If you’re lucky enough to find someone to share your tent with, use protection. You’ll thank us.
– Even when you're desperate, avoid the Scrumpy. You’ll thank us for that, too.
– Don't arrange to meet people by the mixing desks (you’ll lose them).
– Don't take a mud bath (you'll regret it).
– Don’t let your mates set fire to your shoes while you’re wearing them – trust us.
– Watch the sunrise at least once.
Pack light! You’ll need:
Tent – the bigger the better
Sleeping Bag
Torch
Penknife – for opening cans, bottles, etc.
Loo Roll – you don't want to have to trudge for half an hour to get one
Matches/Lighter
Water Container – fill it up from the taps and it could save you a long queue in the morning
Sun Lotion – never believe the forecasts
Rain Proof Anorak – same again
Hefty Boots/Trainers – and again
One Complete Change of Clothing – a reminder from those of us who have had to pull on soaking wet clothes in the morning. Yuck
Toiletries – soap, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste and a small towel.
Medication – if you might need them then don't forget them.
Money – you'll need some. There are often cash machines on site at the bigger events, but usually accompanied by monstrous queues. Remember to keep enough to get home.
Condoms – you never know your luck. And they make great water bombs (apparently)
Wellies – if you haven't got a decent pair of waterproof boots then wellies are a must.
Ghetto blaster – for the nights around the fire and for the footy commentary.
Repair kit – plasters, headache pills and the like can be helpful
Things not to take
A mallet – use your boots, there’s music to be moshed to.
Food or cooking equipment – why spend ages cooking your own when you can get food poisoning just as cheaply from the stalls.
Mattresses – we've never had a problem getting to sleep.
Anything you are afraid to lose.
And finally…
Drink, drugs, etc.
It’s a festival. A chance to go ballistic for a few days. Fair enough: you make your own choices. But bear these things in mind…
- Underage drinking and illegal drugs are just that: illegal. You can still be arrested, even in the middle of a field – which is going to seriously cut into your band time
- Festivals are big and confusing, and maybe not the place to try anything mind-altering for the first time. Wandering crowds with your brain doing somersaults can be a nasty experience, not to mention a potentially dangerous one
- If you choose to take things, or drink loads, be aware of the risks. Look out for your friends, drink plenty of water, and we really, really mean it about the Scrumpy. Evil stuff. Oh, the headaches…
Comments
(All comments will need to be approved before they will be shown on this page)
| Author: Stevie G | Date: 9th, July 2008 |
| T IN THE PARK 2008!!! BRING IT ON!!! | |
| Author: Rose | Date: 12th, July 2008 |
| Go Go BIIIIIIG CHIIIIILLLLL FESTIVAL 08 yo you guys forgot about bringing BIG ARMY PONCHOS and BOLD SUNGLASSES! you won't regret it baby! | |
| Author: Drew | Date: 17th, July 2008 |
| And for the Saddo's take a wind up torch some double as a phone charger so no long ques and waiting at the charge tens lol....have a great festival 2008 here we come.glasto-Done V-Staffs next....Chill guys & Gals | |
| Author: 40yr old funky fest man | Date: 17th, July 2008 |
| Top Tip - To stop your wellies rubbing put a thin - i said thin application of good old vaseline around the top edge inner and hey presto no more red rings LOL.....Happy Many Fests | |
| Author: Ben | Date: 25th, July 2008 |
| Cheers guys, great advice, a foam roll up sheet/ matress thing is propa useful, and they are small. Get them from millets or Blacks or summat. Bloody usefull if u end up puttin ur tent on a group of stones. Reading 08 - can't wait!!! | |
| Author: C | Date: 9th, August 2008 |
| v festival in a week!!!! then leeds festival WEEEEEEEEEEE! | |
| Author: scotty | Date: 12th, August 2008 |
| woop woop | |
| Author: Rob Wood | Date: 13th, August 2008 |
| Roll on tomorrow!!! V Staffs is only 10 mins from my house and we plan to be one of the first in tomorrow for 4 days of festival fun!!! | |
| Author: Katy | Date: 10th, May 2008 |
| GO LATITUDE!!! | |
| Author: legend | Date: 15th, May 2008 |
| bring on rockness!! am gonna be sorted now :) | |
| Author: Hannah | Date: 18th, May 2008 |
| The gum in the toilets is genius... And the disposable cameras mate! Thanks! xxx. | |
| Author: George | Date: 27th, May 2008 |
| thank you, you've saved me thinking of everything and making a list he he he, happy camping people xx | |
| Author: Jerusha | Date: 16th, June 2008 |
| Glad I'm too old for all that!! | |
| Author: Claire | Date: 17th, June 2008 |
| Girls who are prone to greasy hair should take a can of dry shampoo. its cheap and works! e.g. batiste | |
| Author: Jude | Date: 19th, June 2008 |
| Don't forget batteries for the torch. A torch is an absolute life-saver! As are wet-wipes (even better if bio-degradable) - they can be cooling on a hot day, and cleansing on a muddy one. Take extra pairs of socks, so your feet are comfortable and dry. Boots chemists sell excellent pressure pad stuff for the feet - a pen-knife or scissors will be needed to cut it up. Luxury: Spare item(s) of clothing for the journey home(leave in the car, van, or wrapped up in a plastic bag to keep dry). Sometimes just a clean hoodie or t-shirt can make all the difference to that trek. | |
| Author: Seany Badger | Date: 2nd, July 2008 |
| Ruisrock 2008!!!!! if your going to a foreign festival a waterproof tight seal bag is a must for your passport and ticketss. | |
| Author: Lynsey | Date: 6th, July 2008 |
| This is great! | |
| Author: Janice | Date: 20th, April 2008 |
| thank you so much!! gr8 help! :) | |
| Author: ami | Date: 27th, April 2008 |
| sounds silly trust me take some rennies or gaviscon. festival food eats thru the gut aswell as the gallons of alcohol u may scoff at me now but im not going to be the one at download with gut rot lolo most ofg all peeps have a f***ing blast!!!!!! | |
| Author: kerrie | Date: 16th, April 2008 |
| oxygennnnn whoop whoop.. noone really gives oxygen the recognition it deserves!! i cant wait=]! some brilliant advice as well.. thanks | |
| Author: Vikki | Date: 11th, September 2007 |
| These are gd tips! lol helped me! xx | |
| Author: loz | Date: 18th, August 2007 |
| take immodium with you, extreme hangovers and come-downs can involve serious toilet use, not v enjoyable in festival cess pits! xxx | |
| Author: Booby | Date: 20th, August 2007 |
| Wooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh | |
| Author: jackie | Date: 21st, August 2007 |
| leeds leeds leeds thanks grabbed the bog roll | |
| Author: Hannah Banana Watson | Date: 22nd, August 2007 |
| Oh my gosh!! wellies rub? i had no idea!! seriously, definatly bringing plasters with me then. i thought they'd be foot comfort... hopefully the old leggins tucked in them will stop the pain. Lost my Festival V to LEEDS fest 2003 and now doin READING (what a traitor!!) FESTIVLA TIME WWWOOOOOOHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!! x | |
| Author: Terence | Date: 5th, August 2007 |
| yo i got myself a fanny pack... | |
| Author: Hannah | Date: 7th, August 2007 |
| This is sound. i getting proper organized for reading this year this has really helpd :] | |
| Author: Samantha | Date: 11th, August 2007 |
| Girls always always bring plasters coz the wellies really rub and it hurts!!! | |
| Author: Macca | Date: 14th, August 2007 |
| good advice! emergency bog roll is an absolute must! you missed out baby wipes! godsend i tells ya! bring on V 2007!! | |
| Author: hee heeee | Date: 16th, August 2007 |
| what about some cheapo disposable cameras, sum of the funniest things are captured on camera and u wont remember them if u get completely wasted! o and some carrier bags so u can tidy up after urself, i.e. the tonn of babywipes used over the duration of the weekend! x x x x | |
| Author: ciaran | Date: 2nd, July 2007 |
| very helpful will make me enjoy gettin mad wiey it even more and being comfortable at the same time at T IN THE PARK 07!!!!!!!!!!! | |
| Author: Graham | Date: 18th, June 2007 |
| BRING ON GLASTONBURY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited,I can not focus on anything, hence the bumps on my forehead. My mouth is so dry an army of sand mites have set up camp on my tongue.... Here is to Glasty 2007. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | |
| Author: Fiona | Date: 25th, June 2007 |
| Woop! Really helpful, i will remember this for the future.. T in the PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRKK '07!!! | |
| Author: Fiona | Date: 25th, June 2007 |
| Woop! Really helpful, i will remember this for the future.. T in the PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRKK '07!!! | |
| Author: Vikki | Date: 23rd, May 2007 |
| Handy! | |
| Author: Summer | Date: 16th, June 2007 |
| Thanks for that! Can't wait till GLASTONBURY!!!!!!!!!! | |
| Author: shamone! | Date: 3rd, July 2007 |
| Thanx... couldn't find a good site yet here it is!!! lifesaver...like the water bomb idea!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | |
| Author: Josh | Date: 18th, July 2007 |
| ahhhhh the joys of the festival | |
