festival noob :/

[rockchic 1]

Ok as the title suggests this year is my first (other than a day trip to hyde park to see the strokes at wirelessfest cant remember what year) and im camping (scaredmuch!) I would like tips and tricjs to make sure I survive , other than mud and skanky bogs im not sure what to expect , my vision is old school rave but on a larger scale and totally different music???

Im scared of camping , never done that b4 either :/ lived a sheltered life! What do I really need to take , I dont wanna be the only idiot that turns up withfull camping kit and not a single other person does , id rather go without than stick out LOL!

Eating , ive got a thing about eating , really dont think I wanna eat scuzz burgers etc , my body would die , do people cook in their camps ??

These questions have been keeping me awake at night , anyone care to put me out of my misery??? Plz :/

[kemosabe]

Right ok im on my phone and dyslexic so please forgive any spelling problems

First i would say that about 20+% of everyone at R&L will be new that year so you wont stand out dont worry !!

I will deal with camping first... Take a tent (preferably 2/3 man as its more comfertable) and make sure it has a poarch and is double skinned!! That means if its muddy you are in the best position to have a great festival

As for food - there is loads of choice from Mexican to Chinese to some really posh Ostrage Burgers (with everything in between!) but its really expensive so i would say bring you own food and snacks... We all survive so dont worry (mostly on £1 salvation army soup and roll but thats another story!)

You do what you want at a festival and nobody will say anything... If you want to cook at you camp go for it! If you want to go rave all night go for it!! If you want to neck a bottle of Vodka and throw up everywhere dont bother its not a nice saturday night trust me

[kemosabe]

As for tips to survive; make sure you pack for all weathers especially mud and rain. Belive me if it hits it sucks not to have a coat or even worse Wellies!

Also other tips i would say is dont camp near a walkway or too near any attractions or bottom of a hill

Finally just embrase your time there... Its just a few days and it could be best few days of the year if your willing to get muddy, tired and loosen up (not you in perticular just everyone), or it could be the worse if you sit in your tent moaning so just embrase everything and have fun

[rockchic 1]

Haha thats ok, I have trouble spelling without dyslexia, yeah cash will play a big issue eating on site id rather buy a tshirt lol!! Above tips noted thankyou for speedy replies . Last question are you going?

[mrtourette]

Ok as the title suggests this year is my first (other than a day trip to hyde park to see the strokes at wirelessfest cant remember what year) and im camping (scaredmuch!) I would like tips and tricjs to make sure I survive , other than mud and skanky bogs im not sure what to expect , my vision is old school rave but on a larger scale and totally different music???

Im scared of camping , never done that b4 either :/ lived a sheltered life! What do I really need to take , I dont wanna be the only idiot that turns up withfull camping kit and not a single other person does , id rather go without than stick out LOL!

Eating , ive got a thing about eating , really dont think I wanna eat scuzz burgers etc , my body would die , do people cook in their camps ??

These questions have been keeping me awake at night , anyone care to put me out of my misery??? Plz :/

Edited April 2, 2014 by mrtourette

[mrtourette]

We all survive so dont worry (mostly on £1 salvation army soup and roll but thats another story!)

[Babyquack]

Tourette and Kemosabe have covered most bases tbh - some excellent advice there. I can't stress enough the importance of bin bags and baby wipes though. Bin bags because they can be used for so many things and wet wipes because there's no other better way, other than a shower, to stay clean

[kaosmark2]

A few more tips:

If you cook, buy your kit beforehand, make sure you have an EASY way of washing it up, check your stove is valid in the regulations, and probably don't camp in the nearest campsite to the arena. Unless you really can't afford to buy food at the festival though, I'd just get a mass of snack and then buy one hot meal a day, it'll be far more relieving and as your first time you really won't want an extra level of hassle/worry in terms of preparing food.

I'd recommend NOT getting a pop-up tent. They are really easy to put up, but they're a nightmare to put down, and they're a lot less resilient in terms of wind and rain.

Sleeping mats are less hassle than airbeds. When you pitch your tent, you either want to be lengthways down any slight slope so you're sleeping with your head upwards, or on flat ground. Check for large rocks underneath where you'll pitch as well, because they're the primary way you'll end up sleeping uncomfortably.

Don't buy a padlock for your tent. That's just a hint to thieves that there's something valuable inside, and then they'll slash your tent to get in and you've lost stuff + your tent is damaged.

As well as being prepared for wet and cold weather, be prepared for a scorcher even if it seems unlikely. Suncream/light clothes/sunglasses/etc. Whatever you need in such situations.

Do not take any form of open-toed shoes. Some people wear sandals/flip-flops at festivals, and invariably, they accidentally got trodden on at some point. It's too crowded to wear them, trainers/boots/wellies are your best bet depending on the weather.

I'll also remphasise everything tourette and kemosabe said. It's all good advice.

[The Placid Casual]

Take a shit load of pills and you won't even need a tent

[giantwagon]

Don't know if you're going to Reading or Leeds, but if it's Leeds, bring gravy. Lots of gravy.

[The Placid Casual]

In all seriousness though, what GWEB said, gravy, and lots of it

[giantwagon]

Especially if you're worried about standing out from the crowd, you'll look extremely out of place without it.

[mattgimmeshelter]

Berocca

is second to your ticket and tent.

Ticket, Tent, Berocca are your three PRIORITIES.

Edited April 2, 2014 by mattgimmeshelter

[mrtourette]

Berocca

is second to your ticket.

Ticket, Tent, Berocca are your three PRIORITIES.

[mattgimmeshelter]

It appears tent is second to your ticket.

[Bisque]

Pack plenty of johnnys

[kaosmark2]

Berocca

is second to your ticket and tent.

Ticket, Tent, Berocca are your three PRIORITIES.

[kemosabe]

Haha thats ok, I have trouble spelling without dyslexia, yeah cash will play a big issue eating on site id rather buy a tshirt lol!! Above tips noted thankyou for speedy replies . Last question are you going?

[Gucci Piggy]

A loaf of bread is good on the first night, for eating and rolling into balls to throw at your neighbours if they look like c**ts (mine did).

[mattgimmeshelter]

Vitamin tablets are a decent idea. I only bother if I'm going for 4-5 days as opposed to 2-3, but they definitely help, particularly with hangovers or sunstroke.

[kaosmark2]

A loaf of bread is good on the first night, for eating and rolling into balls to throw at your neighbours if they look like c**ts (mine did).

[kaosmark2]

take a berocca every morning and your hangovers just go away!

twin that with a bacon butty and it's non existent.

[Gucci Piggy]

If you bring food, make sure it's something nice. I brought shitloads of food last year, but it was like 10 trays of Tesco value flapjack and loads of shitty biscuits. After one or two days I couldn't look at the stuff, and ate no more of it. I always have a tin of fruit for lunch and then buy a meal (sometimes two) in the arena. I also lose loads of weight at every festival, despite already being awfully skinny beforehand. Hate it.

[kemosabe]

Sunglasses/Lucazade (fizzy)/ Paracetamol is my tip for hangovers

[Gucci Piggy]

Look like or act like?

Edited April 2, 2014 by Will-2609