Going to a festival really can make a summer break that one summer you’ll remember for years to come. You’ll meet loads of new people, experience loads of new things, and just have loads of fun. Here’s the definitive guide to Summer Festivals 2010.
. Biggest and the best:
The music and line-up you can expect from the following festivals will showcase the moment’s hottest talent across the board. Expect the biggest and best names in music, and lots of them. Experience everything from golden oldies, to un-signed acts, and everything in between. Head to one of these if you want the full festival experience.
Glastonbury: Wednesday 23rd-Sunday 27th June at Worthy farm, Glastonbury, Somerset. Cost: £185.
Don’t Miss: Staying up all night and watching the sun-rise from the Stone Circle – a magical moment! Check out the circus, freak show, drag club, Biker Bar from Hell, and smaller areas. Head to Green field or the Healing field for a massage or a spot of meditation.
Reading and Leeds: Friday 27th- Sunday 29th August. Reading: Little John’s Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire. Leeds: Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire. Cost: Around £180
Don’t Miss: Taking a moment out of the music and chilling out at the Alternative stage. Discover some great comedy, and some oddities such as a hypnotising dog.
Bestival: Thursday 9th-Sunday 12th September at Robin Hill Country Park, Downend, Isle Of Wight. Cost: £150
Don’t Miss: Taking part in the fancy dress theme (Bestival broke the world record for the largest fancy dress party in the world), seeing the festival parade, picking up the festival newspaper, and entering the dance competitions!
Isle of Wight: Friday 11th- Sunday 13th June at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle Of Wight. Cost: £150
Don’t Miss: The Big Festival Bike Ride – see more of the Isle Of Wight!
Latitude: Thursday 15th-Sunday 18th July at Henham Park, Southwold. Cost: £160
Don’t Miss: The coloured sheep, the artwork on the art bus, the tree of lost things, the list of brilliant things, the poets, and the opera singers.
V Festival: Saturday 21st-Sunday 22nd August at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, near Birmingham. Cost: Weekend w/camping £165
Don’t Miss: Chilling out in ‘V Healthy’. Explore the tipi tents, crash on the sofas, and maybe even get a massage or hair cut.
T in the park: Friday 9th- Sunday 11th July at Balado, Kinross Shire, Scotland. Cost: £180
Don’t Miss: The global food village with celebrity chefs, and the traffic lights which appear at the festival.
. Pop-tastic:
You can expect a more pop-based line-up for these festivals. So if you’re not into your rock or indie, head to one of these!
T4 at the beach: Sunday 4th July at Weston-Super-Mare Beach
Don’t Miss: Getting there a couple of days early and experiencing the massive parties at the campsite and the beach.
Wireless: Friday 2nd-Sunday 4th July at Hyde Park, London. Cost: £47.50 per day
Don’t Miss: The fact that you’re in the centre London and don’t have to get all ‘festival-ed’ up, if that’s not really your thing.
. Dance:
You can definitely expect the biggest DJ’s and dance acts at these festivals. Prepare yourself for no-sleep and constant raving.
Creamfields: Saturday 28th-Sunday 29th August at Daresbury Estate, Halton, Cheshire. Cost: Weekend £100
Don’t Miss: Some of the awesome sets on at ridiculous times in the morning. Stay up all night and dance the night away.
Global Gathering: Friday 30th-Saturday 31st July near Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire. Cost: Weekend £120, Saturday £62.50
Don’t Miss: Wandering around in the day and discovering what you want to dance the night away to!
Rock Ness: Friday 11th-Sunday 13th June at Loch Ness, Scotland. Cost: £149 for three days w/camping
Don’t Miss: The Loch Ness cruises, or your chance at seeing the Loch Ness monster!
. Metal/Rock:
For the more resilient and hardcore of you out there, head to one of these festivals for line-ups comprising of the world’s biggest names in Rock.
Download: Friday 11th-Sunday 13th June at Donington Park, Leicestershire. Cost: £140 weekend (+£30 w/camping)
Don’t Miss: The extreme sports shows and motorbike death cages.
Sonisphere:
Friday 30th July-Sunday 1st August at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire. Cost: £157.50 w/campingDon’t Miss: Checking out the Bohemia area with its Rock Karaoke, stunt shows, and cinema.
. Student budget/Student friendly:
If you don’t want to head to one of the bigger festivals, or just don’t have the budget, try one of these festivals! The line-up and music will still be great, and there’ll be loads of students around.
Beach Break: Monday 14th- Friday 18th June at Pembrey Country Park (Carmarthenshire, South West Wales). Cost: £89
Don’t Miss: The fact that this is a student only festival so everyone should be pretty laid back and friendly! There are loads of activities and games to get involved in and meet new people, chilled out places, and, it’s on a beach.
Wakestock: Friday 2nd-Sunday 4th July in Abersoch, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales. Cost: £120 w/camping, £95 without
Don’t Miss: Heading to Abersoch beach for the wakeboarding action.
Under-age: Sunday 1st August at Victoria Park, Hackney, London. Cost: £26.50
Don’t Miss: Going to this before you’re too old to go!
Glastonbudget: Friday 28th-Sunday 30th May at Turnpost Farm, Wymeswold, Leicestershire. Cost: £54.50 (adult) £49.50 (teen 14-18)
Don’t Miss: Checking out some of the best tribute acts.
. Further afield:
If you fancy being a little more adventurous, head off to a different country and have a totally different festival experience. The weather will probably be better, and it’s practically a holiday! You’ll come back tanned and having listened to some great artists.
Benicassim (Barcelona): Thursday 15th-Sunday 18th July near Valencia, Spain. Cost: £160
Don’t Miss: The fact that you’re in Spain and the huge beach parties! Make sure you see the dance, art, theatre, films, and other arty things!
Exit (Serbia): Thursday 8th-Sunday 11th July in Novi Sad, Serbia. Cost: £85
Don’t miss: Watching the sun-rise from inside the moat (the dance arena).
Sonar (Barcelona): Thursday 17th- Saturday 19th June at various places in Barcelona, Spain. Cost: 155 Euros.
Don’t Miss: Being transported by bus at night out of the centre of Barcelona to SonarPark to continue the fun.
Oxegen (Ireland): Thursday 8th-Sunday 11th July at Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Eire. Cost: 224.50 euros
Don’t Miss: The Oxygen bar. Breathe pure oxygen for around fifteen minutes in lots of yummy flavours, which apparently leaves you feeling relaxed and invigorated.
. Lesser-known:
How about trying something a little unknown? Showcasing some of the smaller and upcoming bands from all over, you might discover the next big thing. These festivals will have a great, friendly atmosphere, and are something a little different!
Secret Garden Party: Thursday 22nd-Sunday 25th July at somewhere in East Anglia. Cost: £142
Don’t Miss: Finding out where the festival is... Swimming in the lake, checking out ‘bands in trees’ (self-explanatory), and travelling around the campsite on a train!
The Big Chill: Thursday 5th- Sunday 8th August, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Hertfordshire. Cost: £145
Don’t Miss: Celebrating your life and having a natural high.
WOMAD: Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th July in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Cost: £125
Don’t Miss: The secret gigs, listen out! Go to workshops, get involved in world record attempts and flash mobs. Check out the World Music stage, and get dancing your sleep-deprived hangover away!
Guilfest: Friday 16th-Sunday 18th July in Guildford, Surrey. Cost: £110 w/camping, £100 without.
Don’t Miss: Checking out the 24h Ambient Lounge and joining in a spot of protesting.
So whatever sort of music you’re into, there’s a festival to suit your tastes and budget! Although obviously the music is a pretty key part to any festival, there are so many other things to see and do. Take some time to explore, discover something new, and meet new people.
Essentials!
When packing for a festival make sure you don’t forget the following:
WELLIES! A must have for any festival come rain or shine.
Waterproofs – Sorry guys, it probably will rain, just a little... unless you’re lucky enough to be heading abroad!
A tent/sleeping bag/sleeping mat – You don’t want to be that person, sleeping in a puddle, cold and alone, with a plastic bag for cover and comfort.
A torch – A must for late night peeing/tent finding!
Camera – Disposable or otherwise, to capture all the amazing moments.
Deodorant – You do want to keep your friends, and be able to make new ones.
Loo roll – Multi-functional. For toilet-time... and for simultaneously blocking out the terrible toilet smells of the dreaded long-drop.
Wet Wipes – Your parents will suggest them, as will I. You’re not too cool to take them, and you will use them religiously.
Bin Bags – For the eco-friendly, cleaner festival goers out there. Lots of festivals have a policy: collect a bag of cans, get a free drink. Greener living AND free beverages? Win-win situation.
Solar-powered charger/spare phone – You’re in a field with 100,000 other people, you’re alone, your battery has just died...
Dry shampoo- is a lifesaver! You’ll continue looking non-greasy, it takes thirty seconds, and you won’t have to brave the cold showers with the two hour long queue.
Munchies/Drinks – Don’t fancy paying festival prices? It’s 5am and you’re seriously hungry or parched from the general debauchery and fun of the silent disco or rave tents? Hello- chocolate/cereal bar/crisps/fruit etc. (Remember though, most festivals don’t allow glass bottles!)
A few extra things to think of (not essentials but they’ll make the experience a little nicer):
A pop-up chair: Comfy and practical. You get to keep your behind dry and be the envy of all your chair-forgetting friends. Tip – put it in your tent when you’re not using it... jealous people enjoy stealing chairs.
A trolley/sledge: Packed too many things? Pile up a trolley or sledge and drag it in. Saves your hands, and your temper!
A flag (and pole): You’re in a field with thousands of other people. You packed your generic navy blue tent- So did everyone else. But wait, no-one else packed their customised flag and flag-pole. Problem solved.
