new to festivals and want advice!

[fenech]

I am going to reading this year with a group of friends, as we are all newbies and have not been to any sort of festivals we wanted to know what we can do to get to near the front of certain sets as it will be awesome, does getting there early count for anything etc etc any advice would be helpful!

[Gingo]

I am going to reading this year with a group of friends, as we are all newbies and have not been to any sort of festivals we wanted to know what we can do to get to near the front of certain sets as it will be awesome, does getting there early count for anything etc etc any advice would be helpful!

[Gaucho]

Get to the stage at the end of the set before, and as people start to move, go down the sides and cut in, be polite and don't shove your way through though.

[PDAD]

It really depends on the band. For example, at The Cure last year, i was able to walk in after Paramore finished and get really close to the front very easily.

Foo Fighters on the other hand, we had to head over there quite early as they drew much more of a crowd.

But in general, i don't think you'd need to camp at the front all day. For bands lower down the order, you can generally get there 15 minutes before and be fine. For headliners, maybe you might have to see the band before them and gradually move your way forward through their set. But it's not too much of a problem.

[fenech]

Okay thanks for the replies, I think my best bet would be to go straight in just after a set has finished and politely move down to the front, don't want any dirty looks!

[JCP]

right, my first (somehow) time to Reading this year. Best place to camp in terms of less likely to get tent burnt/ not full of families/ not a mammoth walk to stages and good banter? if possible!! x

[Matt42]

Don't go to the front, it's not worth it. It just hurts... especially with a reading crowd.

[The Placid Casual]

Don't go to the front, it's not worth it. It just hurts... especially with a reading crowd.

[BerkshireMoose]

I would advise either getting there a set or two before and stick it out (you might enjoy it !) or, bite the big one and stand somewhere in front of the mixing desk but not right up the front. Sound-wise, you wont get a better spot and right up the front your likely to get moshed (act depending) or crushed.

I'd say chill, don't fuss about getting up the front, its not important, you really won't remember that you were "up the front" in years to come, in fact you probably won't even remember the band, just that you were there and had an amazing time with your mates.

Or.... as I recently heard... "Go Hard or Go Home.... just not in an Ambulance".

Or, just go fuckin' ape-shit crrrrazzzzzzy, get your arse out on the barrier, get a massive round of applause and then get kicked out.

There's one for the grandkids !!

Or, don't pay any attention to the above.

I am drunk after all.

[jonny1987]

The further you are towards the front, the much greater possibility you have of getting showered by urine as well! The temperature is usually a good indicator as to whether you have had a lucky escape as well!