Begginers help!

[Dave The Hedgehog]

you moan that there would be too much to do at glasto, and at leeds there isn't enough. there's no pleasing some people!

[thetime]

Well, there's the bit in the middle.

Wednesday left me completely frustrated and that was partially down to the mistakes I made as a first time festival go-er but mainly down to the experience I had of not having anything to do at night. There's only so much you can see and do on wednesday - especially if it's just two people - and I think I knew that which was one of the reasons I went to the eFests meet (which I never like talking about on here); because it would have given me something to do away from the monotony of sitting outside my tent.

Some people like downtime and there's always a time and a place to relax but I wanted something to do that me and my girlfriend could have enjoyed. We just didn't get that on wednesday, or thursday actually.

Thursday was just tedious. I didn't enjoy the waiting around at all, and there's only so much you can see and do during the day there before you end up repeating the process and seeing it all again. I had no problems with what was going on at night; it was the waiting for it that pissed me off. It's finding something to do between when you wake up and then that was problematic for us.

[rachbon]

Well, there's the bit in the middle.

Wednesday left me completely frustrated and that was partially down to the mistakes I made as a first time festival go-er but mainly down to the experience I had of not having anything to do at night. There's only so much you can see and do on wednesday - especially if it's just two people - and I think I knew that which was one of the reasons I went to the eFests meet (which I never like talking about on here); because it would have given me something to do away from the monotony of sitting outside my tent.

Some people like downtime and there's always a time and a place to relax but I wanted something to do that me and my girlfriend could have enjoyed. We just didn't get that on wednesday, or thursday actually.

Thursday was just tedious. I didn't enjoy the waiting around at all, and there's only so much you can see and do during the day there before you end up repeating the process and seeing it all again. I had no problems with what was going on at night; it was the waiting for it that pissed me off. It's finding something to do between when you wake up and then that was problematic for us.

[lucastang]

If you do go on Wednesday, if boredom approaches, look out for the one and only Millie.

[therefused]

There were a few of us on wednesday last year, got there around 3ish, and by the time we waited for the rain to ease off, got to tesco and back, it was nearer to 8, so most of the day was gone by then anyway. As for thursday, woke up at 8 due to everyone arriving, and had a miserable day to be fair up until 2 when we ventured intwo the city for a KFC. I must of read the paper 3 times. That being said, we got a great camping spot, so i guess it evens out.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

To put this into some perspective, a guy has come here to ask us about our experiences at Leeds and for us to give him some tips and hints that may help him. So I did that.

You're approaching what I say as if what I say is inaccurate or gives the guy the wrong impression about how it 'really' is, and yet neither of us can be right or wrong in an argument about what either of us experienced because we're two completely different people who want completely different things from a festival. I'm just giving him my take on how I felt. Somebody could share it, others might not - either way, the guy will take what he wants from bits and pieces of what we say and approach the festival with differing approaches and come out with his own experiences after he leaves next year.

At the end of the day Leeds is a cracking good festival and whatever way he comes out of it, he'll find some good in it - I just didn't enjoy certain things about it that you clearly did. There's nothing wrong with that.

And I don't mention the eFests meet all the time, I just do it when people bring into question things I experienced at the festival because otherwise it's not really important and it only really serves to cause friction on here.

[burgess93]

I just want to say a huge thankyou to everyone who's posted on this, its been really helpful!

I really enjoy just chilling with some friends and a few drinks, so i don't think i'll be too bored on the wednesday/thursday!

[purplehaze81]

I've gotta say, I agree with Dave. There's only so much 'chillin' I can do before I need something to do. That's why I don't go too early, because by the time you've set up your tent you're just killing time.

[rexclark]

Go on the Wednesday.

Talk to your neighbours, get to know them, have a beer and a chat with them. They'll keep an eye out for you and you keep an eye out for them.

Take more booze than you thyink you'll need, you will always run out early.

Go into the arena on the Thursday night to have a look around. Get your bearings and find the stages.

Keep clean clothes for the Monday, it's shit going home in dirty wet clothes.

Avoid Burger vans.

Pace yourself with booze during the day.

No drugs before 10pm.

See an act in The Alternative Stage.

Go to the afterhours entertainment.

Don't camp near the Fun Fair (Leeds)

Don't camp near toilets or water taps.

Take plenty of food.

Don't bring a decent phone and bring a charger or spare battery.

Keep watching here for good tips/advice and some decent banter.

Buy me a beer.

Have fun!

[Dave The Hedgehog]

I just want to say a huge thankyou to everyone who's posted on this, its been really helpful!

I really enjoy just chilling with some friends and a few drinks, so i don't think i'll be too bored on the wednesday/thursday!

[Dave The Hedgehog]

Don't camp near the Fun Fair (Leeds)

[saints15]

Not sure if it's the same for Leeds, but if you go to Reading buy drink from Tesco when you are there, as 24 can crates are only £10

[rexclark]

Not sure if it's the same for Leeds, but if you go to Reading buy drink from Tesco when you are there, as 24 can crates are only £10

[JC-Mo'Fucka]

I'd like to get in on the wednesday, its just not worth losing an extra days pay for - for glasto i make the exception as theres plenty to do, but theres sh*te all at reading until the music

[Jackmypie]

Go on the Wednesday.

Talk to your neighbours, get to know them, have a beer and a chat with them. They'll keep an eye out for you and you keep an eye out for them.

Take more booze than you thyink you'll need, you will always run out early.

Go into the arena on the Thursday night to have a look around. Get your bearings and find the stages.

Keep clean clothes for the Monday, it's shit going home in dirty wet clothes.

Avoid Burger vans.

Pace yourself with booze during the day.

No drugs before 10pm.

See an act in The Alternative Stage.

Go to the afterhours entertainment.

Don't camp near the Fun Fair (Leeds)

Don't camp near toilets or water taps.

Take plenty of food.

Don't bring a decent phone and bring a charger or spare battery.

Keep watching here for good tips/advice and some decent banter.

Buy me a beer.

Have fun!

Edited February 20, 2011 by Jackmypie

[saints15]

For when you need a number 2, try and go to the arena toilets when the arena opens, as those toilets get cleaned so people with day tickets get as nice a toilet as possible. The toilets in the campsites are so disgusting

[FiestaDave]

For when you need a number 2, try and go to the arena toilets when the arena opens, as those toilets get cleaned so people with day tickets get as nice a toilet as possible. The toilets in the campsites are so disgusting

[eFestivals]

Essentials

- Condoms (TRUST ME You'll need a lot).

yep, it's comedy to put them over your head.

You won't need them for anything else.

[rexclark]

yep, it's comedy to put them over your head.

You won't need them for anything else.

[sjp_121]

Went last year as my first festival, and learnt quite alot, however was pretty impressed with how well we remembered most things.

One thing I shall do next year though is take alot more money. Sunday morning, I was down to about £5 to survive me that day, and the train journey home. By 12pm I gave in and brought a yorkshire pudding with mash. That left me with something like £1.50.

I survived the next about 24 hours on an apple, a bag of crisps and a cup of tea.

I WAS SO HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So yeah, bring money, and put some in a place so you can have it for the way back

But most of all, have fun, and do what ever you want to do.

[harderfaster]

Sunday morning, I was down to about £5 to survive me that day, and the train journey home. By 12pm I gave in and brought a yorkshire pudding with mash. That left me with something like £1.50.

[j-j-j-j-joe!]

Can't help with camping, as I go Reading, not Leeds.

But definitely agree with Dave The Hedgehog about not bringing too much. I massively overestimated how many clothes I'd need and ended up lugging around stuff that never even came out of my bag. And if it's dry then you'll need even less this year! Obviously if it's hot you won't need as much, but it can be very cold at night so be prepared.

But bring wellies. Without a doubt one of the absolute essentials. Don't think you can get away without them if it rains.

Bring wet wipes! Wet Wipes! WET WIPES! Pretty damn important.

Bring an old phone if you can. You can easily buy a really chep one and just use that for the weekend. You don't want to be bringing an expensive one. Also this year I may invest in a portable charger,as last year I had to keep my phone off most of the time, which is always annoying if you're trying to find your mates.

Campsite toilets are okay if you can stomach them (until Sunday when they do become a bit of a trial), but if you want a slightly nicer experience, wait until the arena opens and use them ones. (Also try and be reasonably near a perimeter fence, as it can provide a handy makeshift urinal. But like a I said, a reasonable distance, not right next to it.).

Think about the spot you want to camp in. Last year me and my friends were the perfect distance from everything. Close enough to the arena for it to be convenient, but not near enough that we had to endure crowds of w*nkers, and a good disance from the toilets, s that they were convenient but we avoided the smell by Sunday. Get to know the people around you. They can watch your stuff and ice versa. If you don't like or trust them, move! I'd advise getting their on the Wednesday to get a good spot (so you'll need an early entry ticket.)

Do not forget to eat! As stupid as this may sound, it can be very easy to lose track of time in the arena, something that I did last year. Watching Arcade Fire on the Saturday, I realised I hadn't eaten anything substantial since Thursday morning and spent most of their performance doubled up with stomach pain. (Was worth it though, they were incredible)

And don't waste your money on an ostrich burger, despite the novelty they really aren't that special. Buy a Yorkshire Pudding instead. Nearly four quid may sound like a lot for one, but words cannot describe how nice they are, and they're enormous and stuffed with sausage, mash and gravy, so they can keep you going for most of the day. There are stalls selling them in the arena, and outside too I believe.

Now obviously this one's up to you, but most of my friends and I mainly stuck with food you don't have to cook. We did buy some stuff from the stalls, but mostly we bought stuff from Tesco's that didn't need any cooking. But we're lazy b*stards so... We did have a couple of stoves but mainly used them for tea/coffee and soup a a couple of times. (Although if you split the cost of a tesco ready cooked chicken between three or four of you of you, or two if you're really hungry, it can work wonders when you're cold and tired. Just get a fork and dig in!)

Do what I'm doing this year and try to see somebody on ever stage!

Edited February 21, 2011 by j-j-j-j-joe!

[jump]

Can't help with camping, as I go Reading, not Leeds.

But definitely agree with Dave The Hedgehog about not bringing too much. I massively overestimated how many clothes I'd need and ended up lugging around stuff that never even came out of my bag. And if it's dry then you'll need even less this year! Obviously if it's hot you won't need as much, but it can be very cold at night so be prepared.

But bring wellies. Without a doubt one of the absolute essentials. Don't think you can get away without them if it rains.

Bring wet wipes! Wet Wipes! WET WIPES! Pretty damn important.

Campsite toilets are okay if you can stomach them (until Sunday when they do become a bit of a trial), but if you want a slightly nicer experience, wait until the arena opens and use them ones. (Also try and be reasonably near a perimeter fence, as it can provide a handy makeshift urinal).

Think about the spot you want to camp in. Last year me and my friends were the perfect distance from everything. Close enough to the arena for it to be convenient, but not near enough that we had to endure crowds of w*nkers, and a good disance from the toilets, s that they were convenient but we avoided the smell by Sunday.

Do not forget to eat! As stupid as this may sound, it can be very easy to lose track of time in the arena, something that I did last year. Watching Arcade Fire on the Saturday, I realised I hadn't eaten anything substantial since Thursday morning and spent most of their performance doubled up with stomach pain. (Was worth it though, they were incredible)

And don't waste your money on an ostrich burger, despite the novelty they really aren't that special. Buy a Yorkshire Pudding instead. Nearly four quid may sound like a lot for one, but words cannot describe how nice they are, and they're enormous and stuffed with sausage, mash and gravy, so they can keep you going for most of the day. There are stalls selling them in the arena, and outside too I believe.

Now obviously this one's up to you, but most of my friends and I mainly stuck with food you don't have to cook. We did buy some stuff from the stalls, but mostly we bought stuff from Tesco's that didn't need any cooking. But we're lazy b*stards so... We did have a couple of stoves but mainly used them for tea/coffee and soup a a couple of times. (Although if you split the cost of a tesco ready cooked chicken between three or four of you of you, or two if you're really hungry, it can work wonders when you're cold and tired. Just get a fork and dig in!)

Edited February 21, 2011 by jump

[harderfaster]

Some have said portable charger, some have said spare battery. Both do the trick. I usually take a spare battery, think I got it for an old Nokia for £5 online. It's a good investment too, I've used that phone (and its two batteries) at 8 or 9 festivals to date. It's nice not to have to worry about how much every phonecall you make is draining your battery. Having said that, at READING I never seem to have problem with signal (unlike V Chelmsford, which is seriously hit or miss depending on what network you're on) but obviously I can't speak for Leeds.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

One thing I shall do next year though is take alot more money. Sunday morning, I was down to about £5 to survive me that day, and the train journey home. By 12pm I gave in and brought a yorkshire pudding with mash. That left me with something like £1.50.