Retired.

[cejx]

Maps online, maps in phone apps, maps in lanyards, a big fuck off red roof on the tent and yet people still need their hands holding and leading to the red bull tent? I really can't understand how people couldn't find it.

[eFestivals]

As I see Neil has been in this thread now, what festival would he recommend that is based in the midlands, on the small side that has general rock, rather than a more metal based fest like Bloodstock.

Is their one?

I used to love going to Summer Sundae in Leicester, but I think the line ups have gone down the toilet [and I know its not rock] it was just a good site, vibe and location.

I would like to take the family too so kids go free would be ideal really. So by next summer would be me and the mrs and a 10 and 9 year old lads, 7 year old girl and nearly 2 year old boy.

I'm sure they'd be something in the midlands which has a decent amount of rock, tho nothing is coming to mind (in part cos I personally take so little personal interest in rock).

You could try searching for some smaller acts which you know are playing at some festivals this summer, and see if any are in the midlands?

One I can suggest - tho a little further south - is GuilFest (held in Guildford, Surrey), which has a decent rock line-up in the Big Cheese Tent, plus stuff on the other stages which might appeal.

Under-12s are free, the fest is very family suitable (including the Kidzone to keep them occupied), and the site is very well drained so it's unlikely you'd see more than a sticky spot or two even in the worst weather.

[zahidf]

2000 trees maybe?

[neilloggie]

Maps online, maps in phone apps, maps in lanyards, a big fuck off red roof on the tent and yet people still need their hands holding and leading to the red bull tent? I really can't understand how people couldn't find it.

[devilman]

Call me a boy scout but before the festival I've got my line up, stage times and maps printed either on paper or in my head. Turning up blind might be an adventure but it's a proper rookie mistake. Week 1 day 1 stuff. Beforehand we are bombarded via twitter, email and facebook about stage times and maps, I cannot believe that a person geeking on a forum was unaware of all this stuff. Anyways, I have come to the conclusion that being back in real life sucks ass and I have got the post festival blues real bad!

[ap3311]

Yep. Anyone too lazy to print out a clashfinder deserves whatever price they charge for a lanyard.

[Lithium05]

One I can suggest - tho a little further south - is GuilFest (held in Guildford, Surrey), which has a decent rock line-up in the Big Cheese Tent, plus stuff on the other stages which might appeal.

[eFestivals]

Is that this weekend? Only that would explain all the extra traffic about today.... And the signposts for Guilfest... Don't worry, I think I've figured it out

you figured it out wrong.

It's in about a month - it's from 13th-15th July this year.

[Lithium05]

you figured it out wrong.

It's in about a month - it's from 13th-15th July this year.

[eFestivals]

as I have a GuilFest flyer on my desk from when I bumped into the organisers brother at the w/e, I'll give you some of the rockier names announced so far as playing this year...

Ash; Kids in Glass Houses; Skindread Rolo Tomassi; Young Guns; Black Spiders; Buzzcocks; Undertones

[thetime]

as I have a GuilFest flyer on my desk from when I bumped into the organisers brother at the w/e, I'll give you some of the rockier names announced so far as playing this year...

Ash; Kids in Glass Houses; Skindread Rolo Tomassi; Young Guns; Black Spiders; Buzzcocks; Undertones

[the_hedge]

A friend used to go there every yearand recommended it but never did go.

The Saturday looks like xfactor night.

[gjammer]

Got bad reviews on their forum for over zealous security last year. Only 20 miles from me and I keep looking but then getting put off!

Edited June 13, 2012 by gjammer

[eFestivals]

A friend used to go there every yearand recommended it but never did go.

The Saturday looks like xfactor night.

yep, there's some dreadful stuff on the bill for any fan of credible music.

But there's plenty of stages to give people alternative choices of things to watch (and not just unknown bands, there's decent stuff on just about every stage), and that dreadful stuff will shift a lot of tickets because the organiser knows his audience.

[eFestivals]

Got bad reviews on their forum for over zealous security last year.

I was there, and it was certainly nothing different to what can be expected to be perhaps experienced by some people at other fests. I experienced no problems at all.

I did see security hassle a few groups of kids on the campsite, but in all honesty they deserved the hassle they got because they were having no respect for others around them.

[luckysalt]

I have looked at Guilfest over the years and yeah this years line up does have a healthy dose of what im after, the acts you listed, of those the only ones I haven't seen are Rolo Tomassi and Undertones.

Think we would really enjoy it but think this year, it being in a month is probably unachievable, but its one I'll keep an eye on next year. Although this year would be ideal with the line up, I like the rock acts mentioned, the mrs loves Jools and saw him at Royal Albert Hall before and its in her top ever gigs, and the kids would love Olly Murs and all that pop crap.

We're gunna venture to Godiva for the Saturday this year, test the water with the kids without camping.

[ap3311]

The thing is it's still £120. For another 50 or so you could do a proper festival.

[kaosmark2]

The thing is it's still £120. For another 50 or so you could do a proper festival.

[marcwilson87]

Worst festival I have ever been to! I'm not a massive metal fan but wanted to come along to see a few bands etc. To open late and have bands have to cancel because of it is shocking. Some of my mates were furious. Then to pay £4 a pint and have to queue over twenty minutes, with no refundable tokens is astonishing. Then to change the way you get into the arena after a day... It was such a shambles they didnt even have enough toilets. I hope others had a good time, just seemed like a piss poor attempt to throw a festival...

[lharris92]

The thing is it's still £120. For another 50 or so you could do a proper festival.

[gjammer]

Burtfest looks interesting.

I generally prefer smaller festivals as they tend to make an effort to entertain and give a more rounded experience, be it with: alternative healing areas, areas with wicker/stone/wood sculptures, incidental acts (piano man on a bike/jugglers/fancy dress on stilts), drum/instrument work shops, childrens areas and the list probably goes on. Theres plenty of bigger festivals that do this too.

Download on the other hand was just about music for me and I thoroughly enjoyed, but they didn't provide anything other than that imo (not including fair or comedy which other festivals also do). This is not a criticism but more a comparison in favour of other festivals, particularly if you have younger children or accept the fact that you wont get the biggest, heaviest acts, with some exceptions obviously.

Edited June 15, 2012 by gjammer

[gjammer]

You don't get this at smaller festivals though!!!!. My lot!!!! I sneaked off earlier after the main fight (not shown on this) and before I got dragged down...chicken!

Edited June 15, 2012 by gjammer

[biffoire]

I'll be honest and I can take it on the chin. I'm not going anymore cos I can't handle it any more. Too fucking old.

So while I'd like to outline problems with the fest and pin it on the organisers, thats not why I'm retiring.

[BTK1609]

While it seems a lot of you are retiring I have just purchased a weekend ticket for next year. I only did the Saturday this year so I didn't encounter the problems that everyone else did on the Friday but I can't wait for 2013 already!

I'm sure that if they pull out a couple of decent headliners ( any of Tool, Rammstein, Slipknot, Maiden) and once the post festival hangover from this year has worn off that a lot of you on here will be tempted back for your metal fix.

[ap3311]

Small festivals are still "proper" festivals.

Idiot.