Finishing GCSEs

[loofro]

Hi all,

I'm 16 and will finish my GCSEs this summer. I am looking to celebrate the end of this stressful period by going to a festival with a few friends (and not parents). We were considering going to Reading, however the hefty price puts us off somewhat. Is it worth it? What are the best alternatives if we don't want to splash out quite so much?

Thanks a lot

[Ed209]

I went to Reading after my GCSEs too. Really depends what you're looking for though as to whether its worth the money. If you want big name bands and lots of people of a similar age all having a laugh then Reading is perfect. It'll be better than V for sure. (Given that Glasto is out the question?! - you could still get tickets in the resale, you might still be at school then though?). If you don't want the big name bands and don't mind maybe an older crowd then go for a smaller festival. I think Reading is probably what you're after though.

Thinking back to what I was looking for in a festival at 16 (mates, booze, girls, big name bands), Reading is a really good shout.

One problem with a festival like Reading though is that you might struggle to get served in the arena, and you can't take your own booze in, so if you want to get pissed you have to do it at your campsite and then head in, and then keep making trips back out to get drink again.

[kaosmark2]

Reading's great for that. If there's are bands you want to see at smaller fests though, it may be worth doing one of them instead. I've struggled with that though, I find it's often easier to get my mates to pay £150-200 for a lineup with massive bands than £90 for a lineup with small-midsize ones. I'd basically just look at lineups though, and bear in mind transport costs and getting food+drink there.

[Bisque]

I think Reading would be right up your street. There will be loads of boys & girls around your age & sixth formers too, the majority of attendees will be celebrating exam results there.

You won't be able to buy alcohol in the arena but you'll be able to have a great time pre-loading at your campsite before going off to the arena for the evening (as much as some people think they can its not that conveinient doing 24 hour drinking at festivals, it'll ruin your next day more than likely).

Its probably the perfect big festival for first timers now the riots & tent burning has ceased.

[loofro]

Thanks a lot everyone! We are gonna go to reading for sure now Thanks for the pointer about drinks in the arena though. Is it easy to take booze in if you're underage, and if so, is there any particular trick to it? Also, when do I need to get tickets by, to make sure that they don't sell out before we get ours? One more thing too: When will more line up info be released?

Thanks again

Edited February 13, 2013 by loofro

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

Just hide it for taking into the arena. Wellies are useful.

People will have varying opinions about whether it will sell out, personally I don't think it will, so I think you'll be alright for quite a while, but that's just personal prediction. It hasn't sold out far in advance since 2009, and i can't see any reason for that to change. Line up is normally first or second week of March, but there has been several changes this year so that may be different.

[kaosmark2]

To be safe, you'd want to get tickets on lineup announcement day, but you'll almost certainly be safe through until May.,

[Uncle Liam]

Even if it does sell out, you'll get a ticket probably cheaper than face value nearer the time.

My students go every year and when we come back they pretty much all say it was the best weekend ever.