Download or Sonisphere ? Advice from 'older' punters required.

[Arpus]

'ello,

We are a slightly 'older' couple and we are veterans of various festivals like Glastonbury, Beautiful days, Sunrise and Guilfest.

Years ago I used to do the likes of Monsters of Rock, Reading, Phoenix and Knebworth so I am well versed in the more 'Rock' but mostly friendly atmosphere of these festivals.

This changed with my last experience of Reading, it was ok musically but spoilt by the extreme commercial exploitation by the organizers and there being a predominance of retards, thieves, and louts (of all ages) making the atmosphere unfriendly and intimidating.

Nowadays we do our festivalling in a small campervan and head for the designated campervan areas.

Its taken a few years to bring my better half round to contemplating one of the more 'heavier' festivals, her reluctance has mostly been to the 'unfriendly' reputations that circulate. She wants to be able to smile at and say hello to people without getting a yobbish glare and / or verbal abuse back.

We are undecided...... Download with (possibly) AC/DC, Metallica et al. OR Sonisphere with (confirmed) Iron Maiden, Motley Crew, Alice Cooper, The Cult etc.

So any advise from fellow 'slightly' older festival goers would be appreciated.

Which is the friendlier festival ?

What are the beer prices like?

Do they sample your 'soft drinks' ?

What are the campervan areas like ? Are they level ? (we have a fussy beer cooler)

Any other thoughts appreciated.

[t8yman]

I'm pushing 40, a Reading veteran, download 3x and last years soni (to name a few)

download every time for me, can't comment on the campervan experience, but the crowd are great. It's an older crowd too, a lot of kids at soni last year. And the 2nd stage area was poorly thought out- granted they may change it this time.

Last years download was the best festy I have attended in nine years. The layout is superb apart from long walks for campers. But the clincher for me is the lack of choice at soni. If you don't like the band that's on- you're stuck.

[Mamba]

I'm 30 and Reading is getting a bit much for me these days with 'the kids', but living so close I feel almost obliged to go!

Download has always been a much friendlier and older crowd but again I can't comment on the camper van situation. Beer prices are in the region of £3.50 but that's pretty standard at all mainstream festivals now I think.

I went to Sonisphere for the day last year and had a great day, but had there not been so many bands I wanted to see, I again agree with t8yman that the lack of choice may be annoying.

[r0w]

I'm pushing 40, a Reading veteran, download 3x and last years soni (to name a few)

download every time for me, can't comment on the campervan experience, but the crowd are great. It's an older crowd too, a lot of kids at soni last year. And the 2nd stage area was poorly thought out- granted they may change it this time.

Last years download was the best festy I have attended in nine years. The layout is superb apart from long walks for campers. But the clincher for me is the lack of choice at soni. If you don't like the band that's on- you're stuck.

Edited January 25, 2010 by r0w

[Spiral_Low]

Well, i'm only 24 but after 7 Readings, 7 Downlaods and 1 Sonisphere I can safely say both Download and Soni have a much better atmosphere than Reading, which I find quite hostile at times. Soni's new so it's hard to gauge how it's gonna be this year, last year was pretty laid back but I found they rushed it too much between bands. Download gets it's fair share of younger kids artying a bit too hard but nowhere near Reading amounts, and if it's a more old school line up that will probs be refelcted by the crowd. Only f**k up with 09's Download was lack of water points in the arena, apart from that tehy seem to have gotten pretty good at organisation and imrpove each year.

Download and Sonsiphere both have pretty friendly crowds, there might be a few dicks about but 95% of people are gonna smile back and will be happy to make friends. As long as she gets that throwing the horns and shouting Slaaaaaaaaayeeeeerrrrrr are a friendly gesture in metal circles I think it pould be fine

[ampersand]

sonisphere

[DrFap]

I'm only 19 but I found the atmosphere at Sonisphere to be much much friendlier than that at Reading.

Never been to Download so can't comment on that!

[WildChildRockChick]

I'm an 'older' girl - my first 'day festival' (can you call it a festival?) was Monsters of Rock 1981, my first camping festival was Reading the same year. The last time I went to Reading was for Metallica (2008?) - I don't think I'll ever go again, I disliked it intensely. The arena was OK, not so much the campsite though and friends who went last year haven't given me good reports either.

I love Download. I love the people, the atmosphere, the music. I find 99% of people to be friendly and those that aren't are easily avoided. I'll talk to anyone and it takes me about half an hour to become friends with half the people around me... Downloaders are a great bunch!

I can't comment on Soni because I didn't go last year but I have no problem recommending Download to you or your better half , nor to my 2 neices of 16 & 22 who may be coming with me this year and who I won't be worried about leaving to their own devices - despite having to report back to my sister and bring her daughters home in one piece if I want to see July 2010...

Get tickets, go. It will be an awesome year this year, and you'll have a blast!

Edited January 25, 2010 by WildChildRockChick

[cornucopia]

I can only comment on Donington. I have been 4 times ('86, '87 '88 and 09) and have never had a bad experience ever (barring what happened in'88) and I have never heard anything bad from it where as other festivals I have heard less than favourable comments. Mates who I go to Donington with went to Sonisphere last year and said it was good but not the same atmosphere as there is at Donington - that could just be due to being the first event but you never know for sure unless you attend.

I think you could do a hell of a lot worse than to attend the "spiritual home of rock" on its 30th anniversay!! Whatever and wherever you decide on enjoy and rock hard!

[oscar]

I am at the older end as well been to every Download except 2008 (was going but couldn`t go in the end) and quite a few of the monsters of rock ones.Loved every minute of it everytime great mix of people etc.You get your twats but very few of them.

Don`t even go there with Reading went 2008 (on a Sunday day ticket) for a change really disliked pretty much everything about it very clicky atmosphere.

Sonisphere will be my first one this year so looking forward to that.

[Coupey]

I'm 37, Mrs C is 30, and we've been going to Download for the last 4 years. Never had any issues, it's a very friendly and laid back atmosphere.

In contrast we've also been to Leeds Fest a few times and now wouldn't bother, it's a much less welcoming atmosphere and full of kids who are there to be seen instead of enjoying the vibe and the music.

[Old Mosher]

Just saw this here, made a reply to your same questions in the Sonisphere board.

/index.php?showtopic=137874">http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/index.p...howtopic=137874

Edited February 1, 2010 by Old Mosher

[Arpus]

Greetings to all,

Thank you all for your advice and comments, we have decided on Download mainly because of AC/DC and Them bent birds. We are 'doing' the Peak district to build up a good thirst and appetite before heading down to the festival, finally heading back home on the Monday ready to start preps for Glasto!

[WildChildRockChick]

Greetings to all,

Thank you all for your advice and comments, we have decided on Download mainly because of AC/DC and Them bent birds. We are 'doing' the Peak district to build up a good thirst and appetite before heading down to the festival, finally heading back home on the Monday ready to start preps for Glasto!