Blue Dot Festival

[michael eavis' beard]

10 minutes ago, Zoo Music Girl said:

Any idea how much they were last year? I see there's no info yet. Transport to and from the site is a bit of a ball ache as well, isn't it?

Still, food for thought. 

Last year was £49 for Saturday and Sunday.  Less for Friday (£35) as it was a shorter day.  Weekend tickets have gone up so might be a bit more.

Getting in on Friday was a pain but that was the same for most people that day.  Saturday and Sunday the coaches drove straight in.  And they got off site without any problems.  Think there was more issue with cars parked further into the field.  And the overflow car park they ended up using.

Edited February 2, 2017 by michael eavis' beard
Found actual prices

[the wonderwhy]

Pretty cool lineup but I've seen Pixies and Warpaint in Manchester within the last six months, and will be seeing Soulwax in April so think I'll save the money. Orbital is cool though, hope they turn up at Glasto 

[Zoo Music Girl]

4 minutes ago, michael eavis' beard said:

Last year was £49 for Saturday and Sunday.  Less for Friday (£35) as it was a shorter day.  Weekend tickets have gone up so might be a bit more.

Getting in on Friday was a pain but that was the same for most people that day.  Saturday and Sunday the coaches drove straight in.  And they got off site without any problems.  Think there was more issue with cars parked further into the field.  And the overflow car park they ended up using.

That's not bad value at all really for a day's worth of entertainment. Cheers for the info!

[Harry49]

Pixies on the Friday sounds good at the likely price.

[the wonderwhy]

Yeah actually that's pretty good for day tickets. I'd assume Warpaint will be on before Pixies, good gig for £35-40 

[Paul ™]

Saturday for me

[dingbat2]

I would expect the site to be an absolute nightmare if there was a deluge of rain. The car parks were really boggy in parts last year, and there wasn't really that much rain. I wouldn't think it would take much for it to become a quagmire. From memory there wasn't many alternative entrances /exits to the car parks either, so I could see getting off site could become a problem. 

I had a cracking time last year though, as did my kids (the eldest is now obsessed with JMJ and is learning the keyboard off the back of it) - there's nothing in the line-up yet which makes me have to go this year, and it would be difficult to take the kids because its during term time now. I would love to see Orbital again, they are great live, but I reckon I will see them at Glasto anyway. Did we ever find out the reason why they moved it from school holidays to terms time? It seemed to go completely against what they were trying to do with the festival to me, getting kids and families into science and music. Such a shame

 

 

[Zoo Music Girl]

3 minutes ago, dingbat2 said:

I would expect the site to be an absolute nightmare if there was a deluge of rain. The car parks were really boggy in parts last year, and there wasn't really that much rain. I wouldn't think it would take much for it to become a quagmire. From memory there wasn't many alternative entrances /exits to the car parks either, so I could see getting off site could become a problem. 

I had a cracking time last year though, as did my kids (the eldest is now obsessed with JMJ and is learning the keyboard off the back of it) - there's nothing in the line-up yet which makes me have to go this year, and it would be difficult to take the kids because its during term time now. I would love to see Orbital again, they are great live, but I reckon I will see them at Glasto anyway. Did we ever find out the reason why they moved it from school holidays to terms time? It seemed to go completely against what they were trying to do with the festival to me, getting kids and families into science and music. Such a shame

 

 

Yeah I'm not sure why they did that; as I've said before, I think it's a bizarre move. I don't have kids but seeing all the kids there learning about science was one of the loveliest things about the festival for me. It's also meant it falls a bit too close to Glasto for me to really attempt to do both. I'm thinking I might get tickets for Orbital day, though, as can head up to the area Friday night and not need to use any more holiday... I'd love to be at the fest in some capacity, even for a day. I'm afraid I don't share your confidence that Orbital will be at Glastonbury, but that would be wicked. If they are, I may give Blue Dot a miss until next year. 

[Amy Lawn]

Headliners are dull, but overall it's it's a great line-up. I'll be there!

[dentalplan]

Yeah there's only one headliner for me and I've seen them loads now but there's plenty good on there. Anyone know if Darth Vader is an exclusive?

[Amy Lawn]

11 minutes ago, dentalplan said:

Yeah there's only one headliner for me and I've seen them loads now but there's plenty good on there. Anyone know if Darth Vader is an exclusive?

Darth Vader, Anna Meredith and Soulwax sold it for me. I'd like to see other fests beat that combo. After I meet David Prowse and get a pic with him, that completes the set of "guys who were in Star Wars obscured by a costume", already met Kenny Baker (RIP sir), Jeremy Bulloch, Peter Mayhew and Frank Oz. Not met Anthony Daniels but he's a bellend about Kenney Baker so I've no time for him!

[dentalplan]

2 hours ago, GETOFFAMYLAWN said:

Darth Vader, Anna Meredith and Soulwax sold it for me. I'd like to see other fests beat that combo. After I meet David Prowse and get a pic with him, that completes the set of "guys who were in Star Wars obscured by a costume", already met Kenny Baker (RIP sir), Jeremy Bulloch, Peter Mayhew and Frank Oz. Not met Anthony Daniels but he's a bellend about Kenney Baker so I've no time for him!

Well if any festival announces Warwick Davis then you'll have like three more Star Wars characters than this already.

Yeah Anna Meredith is a big one for me alongside Ezra Furman. Glasto clash regret on both of those. Still a long way to go for a weekend ticket but I was particularly gutted I had to work instead of this last year.

[phil the shrew]

Really enjoyed last years festival, some really good music acts on, as well as talks from musicians, scientists and exhibitions, and nice food and real ale too.

There were some issues last year with getting traffic on site on the Friday and on and off Saturday, which hopefully they will work on for this year. Parking was basically in open fields which would have been fine in dry weather but lots of cars got stuck and entrances clogged up on the Friday, then they had to do Park and Ride Saturday. Hopefully with some artificial track ways and a few other entrance points that should be much better this year. I know they had a big post festival review last year and am sure that's something they will address

Saturday was the busiest crowd wise, so would expect those tickets to go quickly, but lots happening on the Friday night and Sunday so worth a full weekend if you can make it. Don't just go for the big act in the evening though, some really good acts on early and the talks and exhibitions are well worth visiting. Lovell telescope makes for a wonderful back drop to the acts on the main stage

 

 

[jjason]

Hello,

Just bought weekend camping. It is really annoying that you have to pay extra £5 per person booking fee than pay £10 to post. I have also just found i have to pay an additiona £20 to park, an additional booking fee and again £10 to post the parking ticket.

Can anybody advise if there is any other par-parking spots nearby as begrudge the extra and would rather pay a local resident or farmer £20 ish than pay £35 to the organisers?

What time should we get there on the Friday to park / set up camp and get to the first acts as no set times are on the website?

Can you leave the site to go back to the car (to pick up additional supplies / clothing / bedding etc)

Any other advice on the festival such as where best to camp (ideally not party central and not prone to flood), price of beer, how to book on to see talks etc would be brilliant?

Me and my wife have been to a number of UK festivals (Festival no 6 & Glastonbudget last year) and have been to a few in Europe (Sziget & NOS Alive last year) but never to this one so all advice gretfully received. 

Cheers

 

[Zoo Music Girl]

20 minutes ago, jjason said:

Hello,

Just bought weekend camping. It is really annoying that you have to pay extra £5 per person booking fee than pay £10 to post. I have also just found i have to pay an additiona £20 to park, an additional booking fee and again £10 to post the parking ticket.

Can anybody advise if there is any other par-parking spots nearby as begrudge the extra and would rather pay a local resident or farmer £20 ish than pay £35 to the organisers?

What time should we get there on the Friday to park / set up camp and get to the first acts as no set times are on the website?

Can you leave the site to go back to the car (to pick up additional supplies / clothing / bedding etc)

Any other advice on the festival such as where best to camp (ideally not party central and not prone to flood), price of beer, how to book on to see talks etc would be brilliant?

Me and my wife have been to a number of UK festivals (Festival no 6 & Glastonbudget last year) and have been to a few in Europe (Sziget & NOS Alive last year) but never to this one so all advice gretfully received. 

Cheers

 

Can answer a couple of these:

From memory last year, the car parks opened about 2pm and the acts started about 5pm (believe Infinite Monkey Cage opened the main stage). 

Yes you can go back to the car whenever - you have a wristband for entry. 

The site is really tiny, so not a lot of options for camping. Can't even remember if there were different campsites or really just one big one?

Beer prices were about standard for a festival I think - £4 to £5. A few normal beer tents and a real ale tent, which had a better selection and was always very busy. Maybe they'll have two of these next year as they had more of the normal ones last year and they never had a queue, whereas you always had to wait a while for real ale. There was a nice fruity cider on offer there too (I don't drink beer). Some great food options too, again standard festival prices. 

You don't have to book for talks, you just show up. Obviously if it's something you really want to see you'd do well to get there nice and early. 

[jjason]

10 minutes ago, Zoo Music Girl said:

Can answer a couple of these:

From memory last year, the car parks opened about 2pm and the acts started about 5pm (believe Infinite Monkey Cage opened the main stage). 

Yes you can go back to the car whenever - you have a wristband for entry. 

The site is really tiny, so not a lot of options for camping. Can't even remember if there were different campsites or really just one big one?

Beer prices were about standard for a festival I think - £4 to £5. A few normal beer tents and a real ale tent, which had a better selection and was always very busy. Maybe they'll have two of these next year as they had more of the normal ones last year and they never had a queue, whereas you always had to wait a while for real ale. There was a nice fruity cider on offer there too (I don't drink beer). Some great food options too, again standard festival prices. 

You don't have to book for talks, you just show up. Obviously if it's something you really want to see you'd do well to get there nice and early. 

Cheers for the information zoo music girl.

I guess i will book a half day on the friday so as not to miss early talks / bands. How much was parking on the day? If you don't know, no need to reply.

All the other information is what I would have expected so looking forward to it.

[Zoo Music Girl]

Just now, jjason said:

Cheers for the information zoo music girl.

I guess i will book a half day on the friday so as not to miss early talks / bands. How much was parking on the day? If you don't know, no need to reply.

All the other information is what I would have expected so looking forward to it.

Sorry, I've no idea as I didn't book the tickets, so it was just split as a lump sum between us... probably around the same last year? We had a weekend camping/parking ticket. (I know you said no need to reply but I'm contrary like that.)

Don't know where you're based but if you're near I'd have said a half-day should be fine. We didn't rock up until about 3ish and there was a bit of a queue getting in but we were in and set up well ahead of the big bands that evening. (I think they had some issues with mud/parking etc too, so they might have fixed this/factored it in this year.)

It's a great little festival, so I'm sure you'll love it!

[jjason]

2 hours ago, Zoo Music Girl said:

Sorry, I've no idea as I didn't book the tickets, so it was just split as a lump sum between us... probably around the same last year? We had a weekend camping/parking ticket. (I know you said no need to reply but I'm contrary like that.)

Don't know where you're based but if you're near I'd have said a half-day should be fine. We didn't rock up until about 3ish and there was a bit of a queue getting in but we were in and set up well ahead of the big bands that evening. (I think they had some issues with mud/parking etc too, so they might have fixed this/factored it in this year.)

It's a great little festival, so I'm sure you'll love it!

Thanks once again, very helful. We live in North Wales so only 1 hr 15 mins away so will haed off and get there for 3.

 

 

[evannn]

6 hours ago, jjason said:

Hello,

Just bought weekend camping. It is really annoying that you have to pay extra £5 per person booking fee than pay £10 to post. I have also just found i have to pay an additiona £20 to park, an additional booking fee and again £10 to post the parking ticket.

Can anybody advise if there is any other par-parking spots nearby as begrudge the extra and would rather pay a local resident or farmer £20 ish than pay £35 to the organisers?

What time should we get there on the Friday to park / set up camp and get to the first acts as no set times are on the website?

Can you leave the site to go back to the car (to pick up additional supplies / clothing / bedding etc)

Any other advice on the festival such as where best to camp (ideally not party central and not prone to flood), price of beer, how to book on to see talks etc would be brilliant?

Me and my wife have been to a number of UK festivals (Festival no 6 & Glastonbudget last year) and have been to a few in Europe (Sziget & NOS Alive last year) but never to this one so all advice gretfully received. 

Cheers

 

In addition to what's been said; none of the campsite seemed particularly rowdy, there is a family camping field if you're looking for a quiet spot. Beer prices were slightly inflated as you'd expect, but cheaper than some festivals. ~£4 iirc. And, if you want to see some of the more academic lectures, you won't be allowed in certain buildings once they've started. Lots of the talks are in tents, and you can pop in and out of those like you would a music tent

[dingbat2]

As mentioned above, the camping is fine, there was quite a bit of space everywhere, and there didnt appear to be any noticeable difference in noise or type of crowd wherever you camped. We camped in the family area which was nice, and chilled

Its worth buying the programme when you get there  (cant remember how much probably £10-£15) - it has all the line up times, site map, and also gives a list of all the lectures/tours, etc over the weekend. A few do need to be booked (which you do at the info point just as you enter the main entrance into the arena) because they are guided walking tours of the site - we went on a cracking tour around some Jodrell Bank restricted areas, to the Mark 2 telescope - we even met Tim O'Brien wanderiing around who said hello and took our group's photo

We go there about 2.30ish, took about half an hour to get in. The campsites were fairly close, and we were pitched up and wandered into the main arena to catch the Infinite Monkey cage with plenty of time to spare. Also managed to go the the Illuminarium Friday evening - it was fantastic area, we  only queued 5 minutes to get in Friday early evening, but there were horrrendous queues to get in the rest of the weekend because it became so popular

[dirty_dog]

8 hours ago, jjason said:

Hello,

Just bought weekend camping. It is really annoying that you have to pay extra £5 per person booking fee than pay £10 to post. I have also just found i have to pay an additiona £20 to park, an additional booking fee and again £10 to post the parking ticket.

Can anybody advise if there is any other par-parking spots nearby as begrudge the extra and would rather pay a local resident or farmer £20 ish than pay £35 to the organisers?

pay for park when you get there and save on delivery 

[jjason]

Hello Evannn, Dingbat2 & dirty_dog,

Great advice from you all

Evannn - I will get to the lectures early and the beer price seems fair. £5.50 a pint at Festival No 6!

dingbat2 - Thanks for the advice on the walking tours, i will go to the entrance to the arena and see what's on offer. I will buy a program as I don't want to miss anything.

dirty_dog - Is parking £20 on the day? If that's the case that's excellent news as i will save on booking and postage. I notice you are a Festival No6 fan. I have also been to all 5 but waiting for announcements before committing this year as already going to Glastonbudget, InMusic Festival and Bluedot and last year’s festival was a bit of a shambles.

 I'm looking forward to the lectures and non-music entertainment but I am still mainly going for the music:

Pixies, Orbital, Ezra Furman, Henge & The Early Years (There new album II is excellent psychedelic rock) should all put on an excellent show - to have 5 must see bands in a first announcement is a rare thing for me so really chuffed.

Shobaleader one are certainly excellent musicians but may be too cool and too Jazz to stand for long

Any other advice on who to see? I like pretty much all styles of music apart from dreary stuff (like Shura ) and of course Jazz!

By the way, If anybody was thinking of going to see Radiophonic Workshop - I saw them at Festival No 6 in 2015 and they were very, very dreary so be warned:)

Bye for now

 

 

[dirty_dog]

3 hours ago, jjason said:

dirty_dog - Is parking £20 on the day? If that's the case that's excellent news as i will save on booking and postage. I notice you are a Festival No6 fan. I have also been to all 5 but waiting for announcements before committing this year as already going to Glastonbudget, InMusic Festival and Bluedot and last year’s festival was a bit of a shambles.

 

I can't remember on the parking, may have been an extra fiver.

yep No 6 is my favourite festival and I'm lucky enough to get a free ticket every year, doesn't bother me too much about the lineup there as I prefer spending my time in the woods & village

[dirty_dog]

 

Batemill lane (top right) is the road we came down and found ourselves at the front of the queue 

I wouldn't tell too many about this though

[eFestivals]

41 minutes ago, dirty_dog said:

 

Batemill lane (top right) is the road we came down and found ourselves at the front of the queue 

I wouldn't tell too many about this though

I was swearing at the bastards like you.