Anyone thinking of doing Hellfest 2015 instead of Download?

[t8yman]

There isnt a hellfest forum afaik, and I'm a bit interested in trying hellfest next year instead of download. Mainly from an adventurous point of view, and because the weather is almost guaranteed to be better.

Anyone on here done Hellfest? The photos from this years fest look amazing, it all looks really well laid out and stylised - loads of rusty metal sculptures, fire everywhere, really cool looking communal areas, and the lineup was pretty damn good.

Just looking for some opinions from people on here that might have been, or looked at going but didn't for whatever reason.

[devilman]

Is it the same weekend? I don't like this term "instead of", how about "as well as?"

[t8yman]

It was last weekend iirc, 20,21,22 june. I understand your enthusiasm monsieur devil (see, the frenchness is already kicking in) but some of us can only do one festival a year before the wife kicks off!

Have you had a look at the gallery on the official site? It looks ace. 150,000 people though!

http://www.hellfest.fr/galerie.php?id_fi=412

[atomised]

If the line ups anything like this year's I'd be tempted

[devilman]

Yeah looks mental. I was racing that weekend this year otherwise I would have gone. I might have to bin my race partner for next year and attend. Download knocked the shit out of my fitness anyway

[DaniellaFlorance]

Hello, I went to Hellfest. Stayed in France for a week but only got a Sunday pass. It was fantastic. Best rock festival I've been too. So I highly recommend HellFest! I'm going next year but the full three days.

Music was brilliant. Especially Black Sabbath the whole reason we went. The people there are so laid back, I didn't see one fight or any annoyance. The weather was great so no wellies are needed. Overall it didn't actually cost as much as UK festivals I've been too. Just take extra cash if you want to buy clothes.. There are a few shops and music stalls there. Even a Dr Martens shop. Oh and a tattoo shop. Great variety of food and beer tokens very reasonable

[cornucopia]

I looked into doing it this year for the Sabbath day. Just staying there for a few days but could not find an easy way of doing it at all!!! Or getting there.

[lightning1000]

Nope, too close to download. The wife would never allow it

[devilman]

Right, I have talked to a few people who were there for this year. Basically on the strength of what they said I'm out and will be for a while yet. Hellfest upgraded from around 60k to 150k capacity without really upgrading facilities. A huge campsite had about 10 loos and 1 van to cater for everyone. If you wanted a shite you had to wait in a queue for 2 hours. The arena is a natural sun spot sheltered from any breeze. Fine in the UK but when the outside temp is 29 deg and then amplified they said that even the locals were lying where they fell. The ambulances were going non stop all day with heat related ailments. That would be hell for me and not in a good way. It's not easy to get to either so the only realistic way to do it is to drive and camp or campervan. Those i spoke to drove and camped and said they are not going back for a long time despite the awesome line up and awesome weather. That's good enough to rule me out.

Edited July 8, 2014 by devilman

[lightning1000]

Yup, knew there must be a reason for being able to book that line up and make a profit with what they were charging. Say what you want about download, but the facilities were the best I've experienced at a festival.

[cornucopia]

That's made my mind up proper then. I'll not be going, thanks for additional info Devilman

[DaniellaFlorance]

They had a lot of toilets. As for ambulances I actually didn't see anyone being taken out.

We got flights, including parking, hotels and car hire for £200 each. Not including the Hellfest ticket. So it's brilliant. Off next year.

[devilman]

More details please. Where was your hotel? Was there a bus or did you use the hire car every day? How does it compare to UK festivals?

[toneespejo]

Hi i have always done download but I felt like downloads lineup was just getting worse so this year me and my boyfriend packed up the car and went road tripping to hellfest. Now to say I was totally blown away just isn't the word. The camping was awesome with free water (if you wanted to que) and free mobile phone charging too. the food was amazing and very reasonably priced for what you got if not slightly cheap. the beer wasn't a bad price either. the toilets were 100% cleaner than download with special toilets that were giving out free toilet paper and eu de lavander hand wash after! Then the bands and the atmosphere. bands were starting around 10 am and didnt finish till 1/2 am in the morning. there was a constant party atmosphere. Yeah the weather was amazingly hot but they were hoseing you down if you were at the front. there were girls passing round free sunscreen. i never felt like anyone was going to try and steal from me or try to drunkenly come on to me etc. Honestly it was the best decision ever and I am going to go next year. Even if there aren't that many bands I want to listen to there is so much to see and do that the experience makes it the best festival i've ever been too and a few friends are coming along next year because of my experience and photo's. ohhh and don't miss the fire eaters and and the late night clubs. Also Im constantly craving a hell burger!!!

Edited July 20, 2014 by toneespejo

[t8yman]

Fuck, devilman had me convinced, now the last two positive comments have made me tempted again. I'm still thinking about it, although I'm going to thailand next year, so cash might be a bit tight for this.

[devilman]

Well the people I spoke to are long time Download and Soni regulars that manage to find me every year. Fuck knows how they manage to spot me

[cuss316]

i use to go to download from 2003 to 2010 in 2010 me and a few mates went to hellfest our chat on the ferry back was that was awesome fuck download been going to hellfest ever since

[Roninmouse]

Done Hellfest 3 times. Don't be fooled by weather. This year was a scorcher sure but that meant wearing a face mask/bandana to combat dust. Previous years it has rained a lot and turned arena very muddy. Just trying to give you info to make own mind up. My personal feelings though? GO FOR IT! I can't wait for 10th anniversary which is 2015.

P.s. I am 52 years young and have been going to gigs/festials for over 30 years. Hellfest is awesome, As for Devilman comments, I think he must have gone to somewhere different to me ( and a lot of others)

[devilman]

I haven't been Roninmouse, Just relaying comments from regular festival goers that I know that went this year after telling them that I was thinking about it. It obviously wasn't as bad for everyone. I'll take a look at the line up before I decide although given the proximity to Download realistically it'll have to be one or the other. I'll be at Download most likely for 2015 at least.

[gjammer]

Thanks Devilman for your earlier description as was looking at Hellfest. Edit. Just seen posts after.back to considering.

Edited November 19, 2014 by gjammer

[Bisque]

A friend I went to Soni with refuses to go to DL this year as he has a ticket for SlipKnot & doesn't like Enter Shikari. Really tempted to do my first Euro fest now I'm single & I think this might be the one.

[devilman]

A friend I went to Soni with refuses to go to DL this year as he has a ticket for SlipKnot & doesn't like Enter Shikari. Really tempted to do my first Euro fest now I'm single & I think this might be the one.

Best reasons ever to not go to a festival with 200 bands playing.

[Bisque]

Best reasons ever to not go to a festival with 200 bands playing.

I've got a Glastonbury ticket...

[ThirtySixUK]

Booked Download, booked Hellfest....one day at home inbetween.....bring it! As a first time at Hellfest, any information is appreciated!