The Big Chill 2010 and my 30th birthday

[Raasclart]

I am planning on getting a decent crowd of mates together to attend The Big Chill festival as my 30th birthday celebrations.

I've never been before so was after some recommendations for things to do (apart from the obvious).

Any advice for a big chill first timer would be great particularly related to dealing with the logistics of a group of 20 ish friends. eg. the best times to arrive to attempt to secure a suitable space for a large group, which campsite to choose? What are the chances of everyone getting tickets? How quickly do they sell out, when do they usually go on sale?

I'll probably post more questions as they come to me. If there is a thread already answering the majority of these, please point in the right direction.

Cheers

Nick

[sparkythetortoise]

.

Firstly - good choice - probably the most enjoyable festival in the UK, in my opinion, and I go to a few, includling Glasto.

I understand the camp sites are changing this year, so you'll have to double check this, but up by what was the blue car park last year (a bit of a way from the main site, but nothing like the big festivals) you should have no problem finding a big space to camp - get there on Thursday morning and there's loads of space. It does get packed in closer to the entertainments, mind, if that really bothers you.

The Big Thing about the Big Chill is that everyone is so laid back. There's two main stages and some dance arenas. Personally, I think they oversell some of the lesser features - their website and whatnot makes a fuss about the tea place, and the drive in and the art trial, but they are all pretty much small fry. I think the comedy tent is lame compared to other festivals, as is the cabaret later at night.

So if its only two stages and some dance arenas, why to I like it?

Well, until the last couple of acts of the day, no one gets up, no one gets worked up, everythings easy. If you want to see an act, you can literally walk down to the front any time you choose and away again. The dance areas get more crowded, but you can get in with patience. Even the headliners can be viewed clsoe up with a little patience.

The point being that you've got ample time to wander round, see everything for your self - you don't need to choose before hand - its not that big, and there isnt really that much choice. But what there is - is quality stuff - they put on really quirky and interesting stuff. Just go with the flow.

The "healing fields" bit up the hill is nice and chilled, and there are some great farmers market type nosh for breakfast - food in general is 10 times sbetter than any other festival I've been to, so you can eat well (the pizza place by the Castle Stage is slow but particularly excellent).

Oh, and talk to people - everyone is nice (its a condition of entry). Even the security folk are cool.

Finally, here's a thing I did of last year to warm you up - its just some old gits getting old disgracefully, but it gives you an idea

And, yes, I've already got my ticket

Hope that helps

[Raasclart]

Nice one Sparky.

Cheers for that. The video ticked a number of boxes. Me and the Mrs have been going to festivals for many years now but we've had a recent run of bad luck mainly due to weather. I know this is the only variable really but, fingers crossed it'll be as good as it looked in your video.

The main thing we was looking or was a festival that big group of people could go to and there not be the pressure of having to meet everyone's requirements when it comes to what bands they want to see.

I have been to Bestival a couple of times, the last visit being in 2008 when there was rain on biblical proportions. I am thinking that The Big Chill will be similiar in style and musical content, but will not require us to get on a ferry to get there.

I take it you got one of the early bird tickets? Was last year your first visit or have you been before?

Is Thursday morning the earliest you can gain access to the site?

Cheers

[smog]

IOd second all Sparkys comments. Ive been a few times, both worked it and attended as a punter.

Really friendly vibe and always something different going on to cater for everyones tastes but its not that spread out so you are never too far from everyone else. They get some class acts in too with many well known people playing unannounced on stalls etc... You also have the Cider Bus for all your Scrumpy needs and the Disco Shed attend regularily which always has a wicked lineup of DJ's playing in - well - a garden shed

Ine never known tickets to sell that fast and have gone very last minute sometimes. Didnt look into it last year so this may have changed though.

As far as I can remember first access is on the Thursday and there is always loads of space available although the later in the day you leave it the busier it gets.

I think it is still a no beer in the main arena festival but its not to hard to sneak it in. It used to close the arena down at night after the main acts which was a bit of a pain but this isnt the case now so there is lots going on till the early hours - campsites are far enough away to be quiet though although its not really a slog.

Good festie for a big group to go to and not worry about losing each other all wekeend.

[Raasclart]

Thanks smog. Any ideas when the tickets might go on sale this year?

[smog]

Soon I would have thought - early birds sold out so I guess they will get teh tickets on sale pretty sharpish

[Raasclart]

Anyone know if Ticketmaster will be selling tickets? I've never bought festival tickets from them before so not sure. Got a couple of ticketmaster vouchers for Christmas so it would be smashers if they did.

[r0cky]

Tickets sold out in 2005 not long after Glasto, sometime July from memory; but it's not sold out like that since.

I didn't go last year, they juggled the camp sites around last year, and the Quiet field that we normally camp in was gone. Am interested to see what they do this year with respect to the camp sites.

Will also be interesting to see how Festival Republic changes things.

I'd like to return again though.

[beeker]

anyone else wondering if it's actually going ahead this year? still no lineup announcements...... no tickets on sale... if they don't get their fingers out they're going to lose most of their regular custom. we've been the last 3 years, absolutely love big chill, it's been kind of assumed that we'd be going but we're starting to consider something else instead. i'm sure many folks are in the same boat...

[Sheik Yerbouti]

anyone else wondering if it's actually going ahead this year? still no lineup announcements...... no tickets on sale... if they don't get their fingers out they're going to lose most of their regular custom. we've been the last 3 years, absolutely love big chill, it's been kind of assumed that we'd be going but we're starting to consider something else instead. i'm sure many folks are in the same boat...

[r0cky]

They're saying expect some line-up details, ticket info, car park details by the end of the month.

[r0cky]

March 31st tickets on sale and first line-up announcement.

[r0cky]

Tickets on sale 7pm 31st March.

[r0cky]

Tickets on sale, and there's some news here http://www.efestivals.co.uk/news/10/100331i.shtml

Ticket price has jumped up.

New campsite layout http://www.bigchill.net//files/bc1o_sitemap_final.pdf

Edited March 31, 2010 by r0cky

[Kowalski]

Hope the weather's good.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/a...ure/8599451.stm

[Southwest]

Any of you guys taken a campervan to bigchill?

I've never taken a van to any festival before, and am wondering what the "rules" are... can I put up my (rather big) awning next to the van? if not, can I get away with a small tent next to it?

My van is a bit of a squash for 4 people, but fine if we can spill over into the awning./small pop-up tent.

How much space do you get?

Cheers

[r0cky]

Anyone else get a flyer from Big Chill and a fridge magnet. Is that what they're spending the increased ticket price on?

[Insomaniac]

Anyone else get a flyer from Big Chill and a fridge magnet. Is that what they're spending the increased ticket price on?

[bambina]

Any of you guys taken a campervan to bigchill?

I've never taken a van to any festival before, and am wondering what the "rules" are... can I put up my (rather big) awning next to the van? if not, can I get away with a small tent next to it?

My van is a bit of a squash for 4 people, but fine if we can spill over into the awning./small pop-up tent.

How much space do you get?

Cheers

[laid back in the sun]

Been the last two years with a campervan and have pitched up two/three tents and our own toilet tent next to the van and never had any hassle. Take wheel chocks with you, as its a bit sloped in parts!

Also, if you are in a camper, then you are going to have the challenge of climbing the hill of death each time you want to go in and out of the festival.

[Raasclart]

What are people's thoughts on the line-up? Any recommendations? I've recently got into Bonobo and Caribou as a result of listening to bands that are gonna be at the Big Chill that I hadn't heard of, and they are really good.

[glastofun]

I'm considering it on the sole basis of the Thom York set. I'm a big Massive Attack fan too, so that would be an added bonus. Plus it would be great to see M.I.A., although Sunday's line up looks pretty poor.

I've been to Bestival and really enjoyed it, and I've heard Big Chill is supposed to be similar. If I can persuade my friends I'll definitely give it a go.

I'm really poor at geography. How easy is it to get there from London, and how long does it take?

[Vectrex]

The journey on the train from London Paddington to Great Malvern is between 2 hour 35mins to 2 hours 45 mins. At Great Malvern there will be a shuttle bus operating which will take about another 15 mins to the festival site.

The Big Chill is a little similar to Bestival I suppose. Except for the BC seems to attract more classier type people. For instance you will see a LOT of people with picnics(along with bottles of wine) with chairs at the main stages. Some people may see this as a positive, whilst some see it as a negative. Also for some reason the festival seems to attract a very high percentage of London'ers too.

Edited June 8, 2010 by Vectrex

[schmangle-mangle]

My first big chill this year too, getting pretty excited!! Bit pricy though, ho hum.

Heard rumours that Wu Tang may do a set, woop!

[Dan R]

Apparently theres gonna be another headliner who hasn't been announced yet

Anyone have any idea's who it could be?