I am planning on getting a decent crowd of mates together to attend The Big Chill festival as my 30th birthday celebrations.
I've never been before so was after some recommendations for things to do (apart from the obvious).
Any advice for a big chill first timer would be great particularly related to dealing with the logistics of a group of 20 ish friends. eg. the best times to arrive to attempt to secure a suitable space for a large group, which campsite to choose? What are the chances of everyone getting tickets? How quickly do they sell out, when do they usually go on sale?
I'll probably post more questions as they come to me. If there is a thread already answering the majority of these, please point in the right direction.
Cheers
Nick
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The Big Chill 2010 and my 30th birthday
Started by Raasclart, Jan 17 2010 02:45 PM
25 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 17 January 2010 - 04:55 PM
[quote name='Raasclart' date='Jan 17 2010, 02:45 PM' post='3079898']
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Firstly - good choice - probably the most enjoyable festival in the UK, in my opinion, and I go to a few, includling Glasto.
I understand the camp sites are changing this year, so you'll have to double check this, but up by what was the blue car park last year (a bit of a way from the main site, but nothing like the big festivals) you should have no problem finding a big space to camp - get there on Thursday morning and there's loads of space. It does get packed in closer to the entertainments, mind, if that really bothers you.
The Big Thing about the Big Chill is that everyone is so laid back. There's two main stages and some dance arenas. Personally, I think they oversell some of the lesser features - their website and whatnot makes a fuss about the tea place, and the drive in and the art trial, but they are all pretty much small fry. I think the comedy tent is lame compared to other festivals, as is the cabaret later at night.
So if its only two stages and some dance arenas, why to I like it?
Well, until the last couple of acts of the day, no one gets up, no one gets worked up, everythings easy. If you want to see an act, you can literally walk down to the front any time you choose and away again. The dance areas get more crowded, but you can get in with patience. Even the headliners can be viewed clsoe up with a little patience.
The point being that you've got ample time to wander round, see everything for your self - you don't need to choose before hand - its not that big, and there isnt really that much choice. But what there is - is quality stuff - they put on really quirky and interesting stuff. Just go with the flow.
The "healing fields" bit up the hill is nice and chilled, and there are some great farmers market type nosh for breakfast - food in general is 10 times sbetter than any other festival I've been to, so you can eat well (the pizza place by the Castle Stage is slow but particularly excellent).
Oh, and talk to people - everyone is nice (its a condition of entry). Even the security folk are cool.
Finally, here's a thing I did of last year to warm you up - its just some old gits getting old disgracefully, but it gives you an idea
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNol0sO8W_M"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNol0sO8W_M[/url]
And, yes, I've already got my ticket
Hope that helps
.
Firstly - good choice - probably the most enjoyable festival in the UK, in my opinion, and I go to a few, includling Glasto.
I understand the camp sites are changing this year, so you'll have to double check this, but up by what was the blue car park last year (a bit of a way from the main site, but nothing like the big festivals) you should have no problem finding a big space to camp - get there on Thursday morning and there's loads of space. It does get packed in closer to the entertainments, mind, if that really bothers you.
The Big Thing about the Big Chill is that everyone is so laid back. There's two main stages and some dance arenas. Personally, I think they oversell some of the lesser features - their website and whatnot makes a fuss about the tea place, and the drive in and the art trial, but they are all pretty much small fry. I think the comedy tent is lame compared to other festivals, as is the cabaret later at night.
So if its only two stages and some dance arenas, why to I like it?
Well, until the last couple of acts of the day, no one gets up, no one gets worked up, everythings easy. If you want to see an act, you can literally walk down to the front any time you choose and away again. The dance areas get more crowded, but you can get in with patience. Even the headliners can be viewed clsoe up with a little patience.
The point being that you've got ample time to wander round, see everything for your self - you don't need to choose before hand - its not that big, and there isnt really that much choice. But what there is - is quality stuff - they put on really quirky and interesting stuff. Just go with the flow.
The "healing fields" bit up the hill is nice and chilled, and there are some great farmers market type nosh for breakfast - food in general is 10 times sbetter than any other festival I've been to, so you can eat well (the pizza place by the Castle Stage is slow but particularly excellent).
Oh, and talk to people - everyone is nice (its a condition of entry). Even the security folk are cool.
Finally, here's a thing I did of last year to warm you up - its just some old gits getting old disgracefully, but it gives you an idea
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNol0sO8W_M"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNol0sO8W_M[/url]
And, yes, I've already got my ticket
Hope that helps
#3
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Posted 17 January 2010 - 07:40 PM
Nice one Sparky.
Cheers for that. The video ticked a number of boxes. Me and the Mrs have been going to festivals for many years now but we've had a recent run of bad luck mainly due to weather. I know this is the only variable really but, fingers crossed it'll be as good as it looked in your video.
The main thing we was looking or was a festival that big group of people could go to and there not be the pressure of having to meet everyone's requirements when it comes to what bands they want to see.
I have been to Bestival a couple of times, the last visit being in 2008 when there was rain on biblical proportions. I am thinking that The Big Chill will be similiar in style and musical content, but will not require us to get on a ferry to get there.
I take it you got one of the early bird tickets? Was last year your first visit or have you been before?
Is Thursday morning the earliest you can gain access to the site?
Cheers
Cheers for that. The video ticked a number of boxes. Me and the Mrs have been going to festivals for many years now but we've had a recent run of bad luck mainly due to weather. I know this is the only variable really but, fingers crossed it'll be as good as it looked in your video.
The main thing we was looking or was a festival that big group of people could go to and there not be the pressure of having to meet everyone's requirements when it comes to what bands they want to see.
I have been to Bestival a couple of times, the last visit being in 2008 when there was rain on biblical proportions. I am thinking that The Big Chill will be similiar in style and musical content, but will not require us to get on a ferry to get there.
I take it you got one of the early bird tickets? Was last year your first visit or have you been before?
Is Thursday morning the earliest you can gain access to the site?
Cheers
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dances with generators
Posted 21 January 2010 - 11:38 AM
IOd second all Sparkys comments. Ive been a few times, both worked it and attended as a punter.
Really friendly vibe and always something different going on to cater for everyones tastes but its not that spread out so you are never too far from everyone else. They get some class acts in too with many well known people playing unannounced on stalls etc... You also have the Cider Bus for all your Scrumpy needs and the Disco Shed attend regularily which always has a wicked lineup of DJ's playing in - well - a garden shed
Ine never known tickets to sell that fast and have gone very last minute sometimes. Didnt look into it last year so this may have changed though.
As far as I can remember first access is on the Thursday and there is always loads of space available although the later in the day you leave it the busier it gets.
I think it is still a no beer in the main arena festival but its not to hard to sneak it in. It used to close the arena down at night after the main acts which was a bit of a pain but this isnt the case now so there is lots going on till the early hours - campsites are far enough away to be quiet though although its not really a slog.
Good festie for a big group to go to and not worry about losing each other all wekeend.
Really friendly vibe and always something different going on to cater for everyones tastes but its not that spread out so you are never too far from everyone else. They get some class acts in too with many well known people playing unannounced on stalls etc... You also have the Cider Bus for all your Scrumpy needs and the Disco Shed attend regularily which always has a wicked lineup of DJ's playing in - well - a garden shed
Ine never known tickets to sell that fast and have gone very last minute sometimes. Didnt look into it last year so this may have changed though.
As far as I can remember first access is on the Thursday and there is always loads of space available although the later in the day you leave it the busier it gets.
I think it is still a no beer in the main arena festival but its not to hard to sneak it in. It used to close the arena down at night after the main acts which was a bit of a pain but this isnt the case now so there is lots going on till the early hours - campsites are far enough away to be quiet though although its not really a slog.
Good festie for a big group to go to and not worry about losing each other all wekeend.
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Posted 22 January 2010 - 01:15 PM
Thanks smog. Any ideas when the tickets might go on sale this year?
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dances with generators
Posted 22 January 2010 - 02:28 PM
Soon I would have thought - early birds sold out so I guess they will get teh tickets on sale pretty sharpish
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Posted 24 January 2010 - 10:24 AM
Anyone know if Ticketmaster will be selling tickets? I've never bought festival tickets from them before so not sure. Got a couple of ticketmaster vouchers for Christmas so it would be smashers if they did.
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See you in 2013!
Posted 01 March 2010 - 12:38 PM
Tickets sold out in 2005 not long after Glasto, sometime July from memory; but it's not sold out like that since.
I didn't go last year, they juggled the camp sites around last year, and the Quiet field that we normally camp in was gone. Am interested to see what they do this year with respect to the camp sites.
Will also be interesting to see how Festival Republic changes things.
I'd like to return again though.
I didn't go last year, they juggled the camp sites around last year, and the Quiet field that we normally camp in was gone. Am interested to see what they do this year with respect to the camp sites.
Will also be interesting to see how Festival Republic changes things.
I'd like to return again though.
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Posted 04 March 2010 - 02:32 PM
anyone else wondering if it's actually going ahead this year? still no lineup announcements...... no tickets on sale... if they don't get their fingers out they're going to lose most of their regular custom. we've been the last 3 years, absolutely love big chill, it's been kind of assumed that we'd be going but we're starting to consider something else instead. i'm sure many folks are in the same boat...
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Posted 04 March 2010 - 06:30 PM
beeker, on Mar 4 2010, 02:32 PM, said:
anyone else wondering if it's actually going ahead this year? still no lineup announcements...... no tickets on sale... if they don't get their fingers out they're going to lose most of their regular custom. we've been the last 3 years, absolutely love big chill, it's been kind of assumed that we'd be going but we're starting to consider something else instead. i'm sure many folks are in the same boat...
I was having this conversation with one of my mates last night. We've been the last 3 years on the bounce and I'm sure bands had long been announced by now. We got early bird tickets for this year but it's all gone very quiet. I saw somewhere on their website that there had been an issue with fake tickets being sold via some dodgy ticket outlet but I couldn't see them putting everything on hold until they got to the bottom of that issue. Anyone know anything?
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See you in 2013!
Posted 10 March 2010 - 01:47 PM
They're saying expect some line-up details, ticket info, car park details by the end of the month.
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See you in 2013!
Posted 22 March 2010 - 01:51 PM
March 31st tickets on sale and first line-up announcement.
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See you in 2013!
Posted 25 March 2010 - 11:26 AM
Tickets on sale 7pm 31st March.
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See you in 2013!
Posted 31 March 2010 - 09:03 PM
Tickets on sale, and there's some news here http://www.efestival...0/100331i.shtml
Ticket price has jumped up.
New campsite layout http://www.bigchill....temap_final.pdf
Ticket price has jumped up.
New campsite layout http://www.bigchill....temap_final.pdf
Edited by r0cky, 31 March 2010 - 09:07 PM.
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Posted 06 April 2010 - 12:13 PM
Any of you guys taken a campervan to bigchill?
I've never taken a van to any festival before, and am wondering what the "rules" are... can I put up my (rather big) awning next to the van? if not, can I get away with a small tent next to it?
My van is a bit of a squash for 4 people, but fine if we can spill over into the awning./small pop-up tent.
How much space do you get?
Cheers
I've never taken a van to any festival before, and am wondering what the "rules" are... can I put up my (rather big) awning next to the van? if not, can I get away with a small tent next to it?
My van is a bit of a squash for 4 people, but fine if we can spill over into the awning./small pop-up tent.
How much space do you get?
Cheers
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See you in 2013!
Posted 09 April 2010 - 09:46 AM
Anyone else get a flyer from Big Chill and a fridge magnet. Is that what they're spending the increased ticket price on? 
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Posted 09 April 2010 - 10:07 AM
r0cky, on Apr 9 2010, 10:46 AM, said:
Anyone else get a flyer from Big Chill and a fridge magnet. Is that what they're spending the increased ticket price on?
Hang on why did they send me a flyer when I already have a ticket? I take back everything I've previously said in this post.
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Posted 10 April 2010 - 09:28 PM
Southwest, on Apr 6 2010, 01:13 PM, said:
Any of you guys taken a campervan to bigchill?
I've never taken a van to any festival before, and am wondering what the "rules" are... can I put up my (rather big) awning next to the van? if not, can I get away with a small tent next to it?
My van is a bit of a squash for 4 people, but fine if we can spill over into the awning./small pop-up tent.
How much space do you get?
Cheers
I've never taken a van to any festival before, and am wondering what the "rules" are... can I put up my (rather big) awning next to the van? if not, can I get away with a small tent next to it?
My van is a bit of a squash for 4 people, but fine if we can spill over into the awning./small pop-up tent.
How much space do you get?
Cheers
Been the last two years with a campervan and have pitched up two/three tents and our own toilet tent next to the van and never had any hassle. Take wheel chocks with you, as its a bit sloped in parts!
Also, if you are in a camper, then you are going to have the challenge of climbing the hill of death each time you want to go in and out of the festival.
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Posted 13 April 2010 - 12:36 AM
bambina, on Apr 10 2010, 10:28 PM, said:
Been the last two years with a campervan and have pitched up two/three tents and our own toilet tent next to the van and never had any hassle. Take wheel chocks with you, as its a bit sloped in parts!
Also, if you are in a camper, then you are going to have the challenge of climbing the hill of death each time you want to go in and out of the festival.
Also, if you are in a camper, then you are going to have the challenge of climbing the hill of death each time you want to go in and out of the festival.
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