The Official 'Help for V' thread

[JimmySG]

For anyone who needs help for their first time at V

Any questions ask here for answers from past festival goers

[Angelis]

you should ask tom.... been really helpful over the last couple of years

[katlee90]

heyy me and my 2 mates are going to v this year as total newbies soo we really just need to know the ins and outs of absolutely everything!!hahaa

help anyone? xo

[LoubieLou]

heyy me and my 2 mates are going to v this year as total newbies soo we really just need to know the ins and outs of absolutely everything!!hahaa

help anyone? xo

[bekimo]

For anyone who needs help for their first time at V

Any questions ask here for answers from past festival goers

[JimmySG]

These are my personal tips which you may not agree with, but:

*Bring lots of food- very expensive at the festival!

*Bring lots of boooze- same!

*Be prepared for a long walk- once off the bus the majority of people will have a long walk ahead of them to find a decent pitch so dont bring anything unneeded (especially if its heavy!!) and if you are having difficulty trekkin ur bags around once ur packed then consider re-packing because walking through mud and up hills is a lot more difficult!

*Be prepared for rain- waterproofs are a must and so are wellies!

*Dont bring any extra clothes!- not entirely any extra, but what I mean is you should pack pair undies and PLENTY of socks but wear whatever else to the festival, makes ur bag a lot easier ! I had a pair of shorts, two pairs of pants, 2 shirts, 2 hoodies on to the festival and sorted myself out wen i got there.

*Dont bring a suitcase- may sound silly but my mate brought one in 07. Gettin that up a hill was no easy task, the handle came off shortly folowed by the wheels.

*Dont worry about how you look!- veryone will be muddy and sweaty so dont worry! Unless your covered in mood dont bother with the showers, just bring WET WIPES

*DONT GET COVERED IN MOOD- no matter what you'll have bits of dry mud on you, SO itchy when trying to sleep

*Get an average tent- dont go too cheap cus it will leak! But too expensive and you'll be gutted if it gets trashed. A happy medium is the way forward.

Well thats my top tips anyway

[clairetelche1]

Clothes tip: my first year I took soooo much and never ended up wearing most of it so last year I had a plan:

I packed 3 tiny carrier bags stuffed with socks, undies, shorts (legs dry quicker than trousers / jeans) and a top in each. This meant that every day I just grabbed a carrier from my rucksack and shoved on what was in it - dirty stuff from previous day goes into the carrier and hey presto - tidy tent and no hasssle! Just a little thing but it really stopped me from taking (and therefor carrying) too much!

Cxx

[xxtinkerbellxx]

I dont take jeans anymore, they take up so much room in ur bag and when they get wet they never dry. I always just take dresses and skirts now they roll up really tiny in your bag and if you wear tights with them u can put them on if cold/take them off if sunny!

[JimmySG]

clothes wise i go to primark the week before the festival and buy a few things

dead cheap, dont care if they get messed up and anythin thats wet i can just leave there rather than takin in my bag

[katlee90]

thanks

btw do you come back with your tents trashed/burned and stuff like R&L or is everyone mostly sane...just seeing is there any point buying a decent tent or just get a cheap one and waterproof it a hell of a lot lol xo

[Angelis]

this year will be my 10th and not had anythin done to my tent.... except people tripping on the wires

[Eulaca]

When packing, roll your clothes, this saves alot of room. I always pack into a bin bag (when its raining), and have a spare empty bin bag, this way if water some how leaks into your tent, your gear is still dry.

Bring a cheap phone, I've lost and iphone and an omnia at music event, and it really puts a downer on everything. Cheap phones also tend to have a longer battery life.

If it's raining heavily double check your tents out sheet isnt touching the inner, and that nothing inside the tent it touching a wall. Last year i left my airbed to one side, I got back on the sat night to find my sleeping bag had been rained on. (I have a sleeping bag and carry a micro fibre towel.

If you can afford the excess weight, I bring a few bottles of drink (powerade) it's just useful to have something sugary to wake up to. I survived V and Leeds on that stuff.

[bekimo]

On the clothes subject. I find the best bet is to leave behind anything you think "ooh i might need that" about. Only take things you definitely need!!! Seriously, we're all not joking about the walk from the carpark. Or the mud.

To put it in perspective, I do not do packing light. I'm off to Barcelona for 4 days on Sunday and I'm taking a whole suitcase full of stuff "i might need". But V weekend. 3 days in a tent. I manage to just take one backpack with all my clothes and alcohol in it. I have learnt my lesson. Even more so, this year I'm taking a granny trolley instead of the backpack! Nearly sank in the mud last year!!

B x

[Squall Moogle]

- Bring welleys; you get used to wearing them pretty quick, after you leave the festival they still feel natural and it takes a while to realise you are still wearing them. Walking boots can be an idea too, I typically wear a pair of boots a lot in everyday life and they'd probably be great during a dryish V.

- Take wet wipes, a few toilet rolls, an airbed (Tesco's one is nice), sleeping bag, torches, small first aid kit, pro plus, binbags, carrier bags.

- An alarm clock, particularly for the Monday can be a good idea.

- Bring enough torches etc. Again the ones they do in Tesco's are great, we had two of them and also this big lantern style torch that could light up the whole tent.

- Keep your tent tidy enough, though mess can make it difficult for thieves.

- Food there is expensive, two quid for a bottle of water, five quid for a burger, etc. Lots of other things there are great value, the arena is full of stalls where you can buy all kinds of things at great prices; back in 06 I got a deactivated bullet belt and my nose pierced amongst other things. Official merchandise is pretty expensive and not that great.

- The arena has a nice funfair, from what I remember it's not as expensive as the food but a lil more expensive compared to a usual funfair.

- Make sure you have enough money on you but keep it safe! Back in 06 they apparently had six ATM machines on site, most of them were out of order for the whole weekend. A lot of the vendors will offer cashback if you buy something so if you runout that can be an option.

- Even if the sun is hiding you'll probably be hot in the daytime if you take too many items of clothing, carrying a backpack around can be cumbersome too. In the evening however you'll find long sleeves a must but you can just nip back to your tent and grab something.

- Back onto the subject of food, although fires aren't allowed you can always bring disposable BBQ's. BBQing some food can certainly save some money.

- More about food, there is quite a range of food you can buy, types etc. Even still, when you get home you'll find yourself craving fruit and veg.

- Choose your campsite carefully, everyone seems to have their own preference. Red is closest to the arena (to my knowledge), but that campsite ends up looking like a where's wally Picture, not a great place to sleep. When I went we went to Green I believe, it was quite a trek but well worth it. We went through red, dreading how our one would be but when we got there it was pretty quiet, we put our tent right in the middle, no one was near really, though later lots of people moved near. Had we gone right near the end of the field we would have been neighbourless but that would have been too much of an extreme. The EFest camp will be in Orange this year, though hopefully it won't be a dive.

- If you forget anything, lots of camping supplies can be purchased cheaply, nice camping chairs for a fiver etc.

- Moving your stuff to the campsite, don't be like we were. I was carrying a massive backpack and the tent, my then girlfriend was herself carrying quite a bit of weight too (less weight and twice the complaining though). Take everything by all means but get yourself something, say a childs plastic sled with rope or some little trolley etc. Choose carefully, last year mine broke!

- Bringing something to play music on can be an idea though try not to be antisocial.

- Don't bring glass, so if you like whiskey or stuff or whatnot pour it into a plastic bottle.

- Make sure both you and your friend are up for it and somewhat prepared, (my then girlfriend was a nightmare, long story).

- Bring a big container for water, big tanks of water are available all over but it can run out.

- Don't count on a shower (though there are apparently showers here and there), bring a towel anyway.

- If you are getting the shuttle back to the station, make sure you are prepared and leave in plenty of time for it when going back. We missed the last one and had to shell out a load of money on a taxi.

- Get to know your neighbours; everyone is much more relaxed in a festival environment and easy going so you can make many friends.

- The above tidbit can also make things more secure; more eyes to watch out for thieves. Putting a padlock on your tent can be an idea but it can also make it look like you have something to hide. Locking your tent can be good though in the night in case some drunkard tries to get in.

- Fully charge your phone, and/or bring spare battery.

- Last but not least, have fun!

As for boose, the main guidelines is no glass, anything goes in the campsites drink wise (apart from the glass), but they do search before you can get to the arena. Lots of people on E Fests have various tips for smuggling drink into the arena.

Last year I took this Nato issue small cooker thing:

http://www.readytoleave.com/BCB-Hexamine-C...details/Froogle

[cherryade]

do you park your car as soon as you get there, so if you arrive at 9am say, you can park up?

when do you get your wristbands?

i know camps open at 12pm, so is everything done before that time to que up

[JimmySG]

You can park up and get in straight away

they say the camp dusnt open till 10-12 but actualy ive been there much earlier the past two years and went straight in with LOADS of people already there

and its best to get ur wristband straight away, dont wanna risk it

[JimmySG]

and regarding tents

the past two years ive left mine there, can never be bothered packing away in the morning

and final advice from me :

*If your leaving for the bus early on Monday you can catch the first at around 5am to get to the train station, if you have an open return for the train you can get home early and have a nice sleep in bed

as for gettin up at 5am, you can just do an all nighter, thats wat we've done the past two years and had a great time sitting round, finishing the rest of our beers

classic V memory for me

[Chapcharlie]

- Moving your stuff to the campsite, don't be like we were. I was carrying a massive backpack and the tent, my then girlfriend was herself carrying quite a bit of weight too (less weight and twice the complaining though). Take everything by all means but get yourself something, say a childs plastic sled with rope or some little trolley etc. Choose carefully, last year mine broke!

[JimmySG]

Any other top tips from any veteran festival goers out there?

[staffsknot]

Get a AA battery mobile phone charger as the charging points seem to just take power out instead.

Plan to make a couple of trips from the car so just take tent and a few choice items to get set, then go back for the rest instead of dumping it all on wet ground and then trapsing mud into your tent / finding out you are going to have to carry 3 tons of stuff for the less fieldy types.

Don't try and make a stretcher type carry for your kit, you look a muppet if they confiscate your poles and you have to carry a giant tub full of stuff up to the Red Camp (happened to my friends brilliant idea last year)

Baby wipes and slip on waterproof leggings in a bag / jacket in a bag are fantastic and are my essential kit Also consider the travel soap that requires no water, its just handy to have.

Take a towel and some dry kit in the boot of your car, before leaving change into a clean T-shirt, fleece (if cold) and jeans, socks and trainers you will feel amazing.

Waterproof pad or water-resistant marker are good idea if you are exchanging numbers, etc... and don't want to carry your phone everywhere.

Check here for act timetable and save yourself a packet on those programmes

If your planning on keeping the tent stick a plastic sheet under it, then bin the sheet, saves muddying up your car.

Dump kit as you go, to save you having to lug everything back to the car each night do a morning coffee and kit dump (I just don't sleep at all), take anything you've worn and won't need or stuff you've used and won't again back to the car Sunday morning. Grab a tray of coffees and some bacon butties and all your mates will regard you as 'the star' for the next 3 festivals to come.

Platypus water carrier for either alcohol or water in the arena

Locks on tents at night its a big no no - undoing a locked tent on fire is not going to happen and tent fires can happen, especially if you smoke or have a gas burner in there. Also sticking them on while your out is probably a bad move as it tells people you might have something worth nicking. Best keeping anything nickable on you.

SquallMoogle that army Hexi stove is actually poisonous fumes (I know used to use them all the time) so we used to call them hexi-TV sets as you zoned out, so be careful with them, get a gas burner if you can and if not get a teflon coated set of mess tins or cup for cooking - saves a load of hassle cleaning.

Don't setup next to a bin or generator as you will be kept awake or come out to a tent from Apocalypse Now as people chuck things that miss the bin. Also avoid camping within 200yds of the toilets, they are fine on Friday but Sunday brekkie next to a toilet when the Turd Burglar Wagon arrives to clean them is something that can haunt you for life.

Don't go nuts with the beer tokens, you'll end up with loads melting in your wallet in the rain or about £20 turning up in an old pair of socks when you come to wash your gear.

Whatever your planning on taking in cigarettes add an extra pack. I don't smoke but I've learned to take a pack of B&H anyway.

If you see someone struggling give them a hand, no matter what as it can make the difference between a great fest and a nightmare. There's a woman currently in possession of one of my t-shirts and a pair of soaks after getting rained out last year and I think it turned her fest around being able to change. Also there are always some people with seven tons of kit and no way of getting them up to the site without dropping a lung.

Never arrange to meet next to anything that can move or buy a stall that is in three places. So don't meet by the Scotland flag as the bloke might go off for a pint.

Never just go and see what the majority want, you won't all want to see the same thing so see the bands you came for!

Enjoy, you'll probably get wet, muddy and almost deffinitely have a cold afterwards but this is gonna be one of the best events of your life.

[amy246]

Just a few other points to add -

• antibacterial hand gel is a lifesaver

• keep reading on here to get any hints/tips/just to know the festival better

• as well as wellies poncho's are great in the rain - not too heavy/bulky and mine not only looked cool (see my pic) but could also fit in my bag.

• Dry shampoo and headbands are the way forward

• Get a good tent that ain't gonna fall apart but ain't worth a month's wages either (got mine from Asda last year - good quality and good price)

• Take a watch - last year later on the Sunday we struggled cos my phone's battery was about dead and i'd left my watch in the tent and didn't know who was on when

• and make sure you enjoy it!

[Emmett85]

Here's a question, what is the best and easiest type of bed to take? I have seen those roll up self inflating mattresses but they seem expensive....are they worth it given they are super lightweight?

If not would it be best to do two trips for these? Last time we went the three of us were pathetic and started to lose the will to live. We didn't pack much in the way of clothes, it was the airbeds and sleeping bags and the tent.

[staffsknot]

Emmet - take just what you need to setup on the first trip as you might end up wandering for a pitch, that's my tip. I'm a bit more outdoors and if you can't afford an airbed then a foam mat is perfectly good if you don't mind backpacker style.

Also if you can find decent ones get a pop-up tent (not the mickey mouse ones for summer festival but a hydrostatic rating of 1500 at least) and watch everyones jaw drop when it takes 3 seconds to pitch and be set. They ain't big but they're disposable and comfy.

Amy - loving the poncho.

One downside with all the goretex is you sound like a crisp bag for 18 hours.

Some more basic tips:

1. Take goretex hiking boots if you can instead of wellies, they cost £30 for a pair of hi-tec or similar ones with sheltex (cheap goretex) linings or you can go full on goretex for more. These give better grip and if you slip on your ankle you have more support. The mat trackway becomes pretty slippy when you have a 100ltr bergen on your back and your hands full. If you can find them get slip on gators too to go with them.

2. Extra batteries / camera memory, you want photos of the event and friends.

3. When you get in your tent if its raining go in backwards, have a gap between your bed and the door and pull your backside out of your waterproof trousers before you sit down / pull poncho inside out. Then your nice dry backside touches the bed instead of soaking kit. Now pull everything inside out and leave on a used towel. In the morning simply put it back on without ever touching the muddy outside and back up the towel.

4. Take a couple of black bin liners for wet kit or rubbish

5. Buy a disposable chemical hand warmer, if you got soaked drop one inside your sleeping bag to warm it - but remember to take it out before you get in, then stick in your wet kit. Also handy to use one on yur waterproofs before you put them on again.

6. If you are in a field of similar tents snap a 12 hr cyalume (glow stick) open and mark your tent somewhere. It stains but you will see it 12 hrs later so by midnight you should be able to find it ok. Also if its none toxic you can give yourself a glow in the dark tongue but they are horrible to taste.

Edited March 10, 2009 by staffsknot

[amy246]

Emmett - last year i just had a basic camping mat (couple of cm's of foam) and was fine, but then again i'm used to camping and sleep easily so that might just be me!

Random other tips -

Our tent last year had a seperate porch area and sleeping area - we put a spare groudsheet in the porch and stored random stuff in there such as the camping stove, wellies, tent bag, etc. The we could fit our personal kit in our bedroom (tip - go for a tent a man bigger than you are planning to sleep in there).

Keep on outfit clean to wear on the trip back however remember you may get very muddy trying to get out the carpark if it's anything last year.

Last year i also used a money belt - didn't encounter any trouble though but they are a good idea, got mine from Matalan for a couple of quid - plus if you put some in there and some in a purse/wallet you're less likely to spent it all a random crap all in one go.

Have a wander on the friday night to help you get your bearings, also find any maps from online and print them off so you don't get lost.

[staffsknot]

Rucksacks and the like - if you are going to stick them upright make sure the back padding is not against a wall or floor as the condensation of your tent could soak it. Goes the same for any kit you don't want damp.