overview

One look at this line-up made my mind up immediately to go to far Belgium. Even the ticket price and travel is cheaper than getting a Carling Weekend ticket. The train fare anywhere in Belgium is included in the price, if you receive your festival ticket in time (we had to buy a train ticket, but didn’t need it on the extremely packed train from Brussels). So just hop on the Eurostar and it’s not far away!

After a 500km walk to the campsite (buying some beer from the locals who open up bars in their garages along the road) it’s a quick queue for the wristbands then off to set up camp. Unfortunately after two hours I am still standing in a queue to get into the campsite (which is separated from the arena by a very busy road, though the police control the flow of traffic). I have been split from my male companion as it is male/female searches of your entire possessions. Yes, that tightly packed rucksack is to be opened all out, in the dark, before you can go and find a place in the crowded campsite to camp up. Usual things not allowed; glass, dogs, spades(?!). After hearing stories of the campsite becoming totally flooded, I prayed that our spot was ok (the campsite is flat, so we are all in the same boat. Actually a boat would have been good!).

My big problem of the festival is that there is no drinking water available from taps at all. To buy drinks and food you need tokens, and a beer is the same as a cup of (mineral) water. So what do people do? Opt for the beer, then pass out in the heat from dehydration, as many did. I did hear about a supermarket past the train station, but never ventured there.

Too many bands to see! Apart from the Main Stage and the Skate Stage, all the other stages (Marquee, Boiler Room, Dance Hall, Wablief and Club) are all undercover. Not surprising as the weather is as random as it is over here at the moment; glorious heat one minute then downpours the next. The arena has a nice layout; divided by rows of tall young trees (I reckon these have been planted for the festival itself), there is plenty of room for the 100,000 guests, not including workers, to enjoy the sounds of one tent without it blending into another.

Also opposite the Skate Stage, near the smoking area (-bongs, tents and Eastern music) there is a strange little freakshow area called Bataclan, complete with muscle men on bikes, odd mutated toys and a peepshow in a caravan.

The food stalls are not a lot to write home about; not much selection at all. It runs like the reoccurring background of a Scooby Doo cartoon; burgers-chips-beer-burger-chips-beer. The teenagers in Belgium should be the size of houses, though judging by the amount of bicycles parked outside they work it off. There was hardly any queues for the loos, only in the campsite in the morning (the shower queue at that time is disgusting). But, wait for it, FREE BOG ROLL! Next to every set of loos is a tent with loads of the stuff. No more scrounging a sheet or two from someone queuing with you, or having the security ‘borrow’ your last bit (which happened to me one time at Reading).

The majority of people I meet here are from Holland (Lowlands, with a similar line up, has completely sold out) and Irish (not sure on that one!). The festival has a friendly atmosphere, and speaking only English is not a problem.

A little advice for those who travel home by the free trains; with no sign of a car park, most of the 100,000+ festival-goers will be on the trains. Only 1,000 people are allowed on any one train (controlled by the rail companies and running every hour) so if you have a flight or similar to catch, get up really early (6am should do it) and queue, and you might just make it!

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