51 replies to this topic

[skateboardc]

Hi,

I am flying into Berlin from Edinburgh on Wed 15th July. I am stayin in Berlin for 1 night and was intending to bus or train it to the festival on Thursday 16th.

Can anyone advise me on the best way to do this, or if it is even possible?

I am aware there is a shuttle from Berlin Main station on Friday but like the poster above I would rather go to the festival rather than pay to stay an extra night in Berlin (no offence any Berliners).

Any help appreciated, Thanks,

[ColFace]

Grifter: I think Melt did sell out last year so you should try and get your tix asap.  There certainly seems to be more Brits planning to go.

skateboardc: Trains - you can get a train direct from Schonefeld or Alexanderplatz through to Dessau then hop on one of the shuttle buses from Dessau to the festival site.  Try the links below:

http://www.meltfesti...lt_2009_bus.pdf

There is a direct train from Alexanderplatz at 44 mins past each hour and it takes 2 hours:

http://reiseauskunft...afasScrollDir=1

Are you flying solo?

[skateboardc]

ColFace, on Jun 30 2009, 07:35 PM, said:

Grifter: I think Melt did sell out last year so you should try and get your tix asap.  There certainly seems to be more Brits planning to go.

skateboardc: Trains - you can get a train direct from Schonefeld or Alexanderplatz through to Dessau then hop on one of the shuttle buses from Dessau to the festival site.  Try the links below:

http://www.meltfesti...lt_2009_bus.pdf

There is a direct train from Alexanderplatz at 44 mins past each hour and it takes 2 hours:

http://reiseauskunft...afasScrollDir=1

Are you flying solo?

Colface...

Thanks very much - i'll check it out just now. I'm staying in Alexanderplatz so that would be pretty useful.

There's two of us travelling from Edinburgh.

[ColFace]

skateboardc: Cool, there's 3 of us going for Glasgow meeting up with another 2 who are flying in from London.  We've hired a car and are going to risk the crazy autobahn.  We're flying in from Budapest having just come from the Exit festival.  I may well have bitten off more than I can chew. xx

[skateboardc]

ColFace, on Jun 30 2009, 09:38 PM, said:

skateboardc: Cool, there's 3 of us going for Glasgow meeting up with another 2 who are flying in from London.  We've hired a car and are going to risk the crazy autobahn.  We're flying in from Budapest having just come from the Exit festival.  I may well have bitten off more than I can chew. xx

There seems to be a few Scots making the trip over to Germany for Melt via Exit. This is my first time at festival outside Scotland so i'm happy enough with the single trip.

I know this is a very broad question but how does it compare to a T in the Park? Obviously there aren't as much people, and your not in a field, but any other big differences? Am i likely to be wearing someones beer after it was propelled in my direction from 20metres behind me?

Are you in the Mixery Camping section?

[ColFace]

skateboardc: You'll not really get a balanced answer from me on that as I do not think very highly of T.  Last year was my 11th year and I'll never go back.. As far as I'm concerned its an over-priced Nazi state swarming with neds and bams.

Melt is very different.  There's very little security compared to TITP, probably because its not needed.  All the punters are there for a good time and have no interest in stealing, thieving or throwing piss.  Despite the fact that lots of folk are getting wrecked there are very few casualties who are totally wasted.  The drink is quite expensive though.

The arena site itself is very compact and you can get from one stage to another in about 5 mins.  They have real toilets as well.  Its nowhere near as rammed as TITP.  The camping section is a fair trek from the arena though but they run a free shuttle bus between the two - its about 2km.  The shuttle bus is a bit of a free for all cos no other country quite likes to queue like the Brits!

The merchandise/info stall is really cool as the festival guide is free and you can buy copies of some of the sets either as audio or video on a usb for a about 5 euros.  The food is alright as well.

We're not in the Mixery bit - there is another company you can just rent a tent from already put up - a bit like Tangerine fields in the UK.  We've hired an 8 man tent between 5 of us rather than paying the airline fees to take one over.  It was only 132 euros for 4 nights so works out under £23 for each of us - bargain! They do smaller tents as well if this would be an option for you?

Most of the arena is concrete as well so if it rains like last year its not much of a disaster.  There's a big lake you can swim in if its warm enough.  There's also showers in the campsite.  Are you in the Mixery? xx

[skateboardc]

ColFace, on Jul 1 2009, 06:35 PM, said:

skateboardc: You'll not really get a balanced answer from me on that as I do not think very highly of T.  Last year was my 11th year and I'll never go back.. As far as I'm concerned its an over-priced Nazi state swarming with neds and bams.

Melt is very different.  There's very little security compared to TITP, probably because its not needed.  All the punters are there for a good time and have no interest in stealing, thieving or throwing piss.  Despite the fact that lots of folk are getting wrecked there are very few casualties who are totally wasted.  The drink is quite expensive though.

The arena site itself is very compact and you can get from one stage to another in about 5 mins.  They have real toilets as well.  Its nowhere near as rammed as TITP.  The camping section is a fair trek from the arena though but they run a free shuttle bus between the two - its about 2km.  The shuttle bus is a bit of a free for all cos no other country quite likes to queue like the Brits!

The merchandise/info stall is really cool as the festival guide is free and you can buy copies of some of the sets either as audio or video on a usb for a about 5 euros.  The food is alright as well.

We're not in the Mixery bit - there is another company you can just rent a tent from already put up - a bit like Tangerine fields in the UK.  We've hired an 8 man tent between 5 of us rather than paying the airline fees to take one over.  It was only 132 euros for 4 nights so works out under £23 for each of us - bargain! They do smaller tents as well if this would be an option for you?

Most of the arena is concrete as well so if it rains like last year its not much of a disaster.  There's a big lake you can swim in if its warm enough.  There's also showers in the campsite.  Are you in the Mixery? xx

ColFace: How do you know so much about it? The oricle of melt! ha

Been to T half a dozen times and to be honest i've really enjoyed it everytime. I just felt it was getting too expensive and as you said 'neddy'. Always guarenteed a good line up though. Can't go this year because of work commitments so opted for Melt because of the reviews and seeming uniqueness. Line up is pretty good too albeit i think it might be a bit too ravey for an indie kid like me. Give it a bash tho and break my Euro festival virginity.

From your last post i think your suggesting that i should stock up on food and drink pior to arriving (cheers for teh heads up). Yeah i noticed the rent-a-tent option but didn't look too much into it coz i thought it would be too expensive, but after just having another look it wouldve worked out 50% cheaper for us (live and learn eh). The Mixery looks alright so i'm not too down about it.

Apparently its quite a friendly festival so i'm starting to look forward to it. Still a bit undecded weather to get there on the Thursday and camp or go for another night in Berlin. My tent is guarenteed so dont have to worry about a pitch - just wondering if there are any other benefits of coming a day early??

Any ideas oricle?? lol

[ColFace]

I'm hardly the Oracle.  I've just done my research on the Melt website and I went last year.  I'm also anal about organising.

After Melt you'll def reconsider whether or not to waste dosh on UK fests in the future.

If you're camping you really need to stock up before you get there as the site is miles from any shops.

Personally I would go the Thursday.  We are this year as we met so many cool people but had to head back to our hotel in Dessau each night.  The Germans were quite surprised we made the effort to come to Melt when we have Glasto on the UK but that's like comparing apples with pears.

Send me a PM if you fancy hooking up with us on the Thursday. xx

[skateboardc]

ColFace, on Jul 2 2009, 06:59 PM, said:

I'm hardly the Oracle.  I've just done my research on the Melt website and I went last year.  I'm also anal about organising.

After Melt you'll def reconsider whether or not to waste dosh on UK fests in the future.

If you're camping you really need to stock up before you get there as the site is miles from any shops.

Personally I would go the Thursday.  We are this year as we met so many cool people but had to head back to our hotel in Dessau each night.  The Germans were quite surprised we made the effort to come to Melt when we have Glasto on the UK but that's like comparing apples with pears.

Send me a PM if you fancy hooking up with us on the Thursday. xx

Thanks for the offer - you on facebook/bebo?

[Babaranse]

Does anyone who's been before know the policy on taking alcohol/drinks into the arena. I've been to one festival in germany before and everbody was carrying cartons of vodka and juice into the site. Plastic and Glass bottles weren't allowed ditto cans.

[ColFace]

Babaranse, on Jul 3 2009, 01:38 PM, said:

Does anyone who's been before know the policy on taking alcohol/drinks into the arena. I've been to one festival in germany before and everbody was carrying cartons of vodka and juice into the site. Plastic and Glass bottles weren't allowed ditto cans.

Its the same in Melt, no bottles or cans allowed.  We smuggled in water bottles filled with vodka or JD last year.  But you are allowed to take in 1 x 1L carton of juice so apple and vodka etc.  We some ingenious designs of bevvy carton fashioned into a back with gaffer tape.  You can go back to the camp site as many times as you like to stop up but you'll need to get the shuttle bus given the distance.

[Babaranse]

ColFace, on Jul 3 2009, 08:00 PM, said:

Its the same in Melt, no bottles or cans allowed.  We smuggled in water bottles filled with vodka or JD last year.  But you are allowed to take in 1 x 1L carton of juice so apple and vodka etc.  We some ingenious designs of bevvy carton fashioned into a back with gaffer tape.  You can go back to the camp site as many times as you like to stop up but you'll need to get the shuttle bus given the distance.

Awesome,

Good to know.