184 replies to this topic

[saints15]

For when you need a number 2, try and go to the arena toilets when the arena opens, as those toilets get cleaned so people with day tickets get as nice a toilet as possible. The toilets in the campsites are so disgusting

[FiestaDave]

saints15, on 20 February 2011 - 09:07 PM, said:

For when you need a number 2, try and go to the arena toilets when the arena opens, as those toilets get cleaned so people with day tickets get as nice a toilet as possible. The toilets in the campsites are so disgusting

The toilets in the campsites are fine if you dont have a weak stomach. Obviously the first time is an experience but after a few goes you'll be used to it. Just make sure you have bog roll or baby wipes and ensure you use the alcohol gel after your visit; you dont want the two bob bits.

[eFestivals]

OKB, on 19 February 2011 - 11:30 PM, said:

Essentials
- Condoms (TRUST ME You'll need a lot).

yep, it's comedy to put them over your head.

You won't need them for anything else.

[rexclark]

eFestivals, on 21 February 2011 - 08:55 AM, said:

yep, it's comedy to put them over your head.

You won't need them for anything else.

Or for having a posh w*nk, That's probably all he does all weekend.

[sjp_121]

Went last year as my first festival, and learnt quite alot, however was pretty impressed with how well we remembered most things.

One thing I shall do next year though is take alot more money. Sunday morning, I was down to about £5 to survive me that day, and the train journey home. By 12pm I gave in and brought a yorkshire pudding with mash. That left me with something like £1.50.

I survived the next about 24 hours on an apple, a bag of crisps and a cup of tea.
I WAS SO HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So yeah, bring money, and put some in a place so you can have it for the way back XD

But most of all, have fun, and do what ever you want to do.

[harderfaster]

sjp_121, on 21 February 2011 - 11:16 AM, said:

Sunday morning, I was down to about £5 to survive me that day, and the train journey home. By 12pm I gave in and brought a yorkshire pudding with mash. That left me with something like £1.50.

Yorkshire puddings for £3.50?! Yer avin a larf.

[j-j-j-j-joe!]

Can't help with camping, as I go Reading, not Leeds.

But definitely agree with Dave The Hedgehog about not bringing too much. I massively overestimated how many clothes I'd need and ended up lugging around stuff that never even came out of my bag. And if it's dry then you'll need even less this year! Obviously if it's hot you won't need as much, but it can be very cold at night so be prepared.

But bring wellies. Without a doubt one of the absolute essentials. Don't think you can get away without them if it rains.

Bring wet wipes! Wet Wipes! WET WIPES! Pretty damn important.

Bring an old phone if you can. You can easily buy a really chep one and just use that for the weekend. You don't want to be bringing an expensive one. Also this year I may invest in a portable charger,as last year I had to keep my phone off most of the time, which is always annoying if you're trying to find your mates.

Campsite toilets are okay if you can stomach them (until Sunday when they do become a bit of a trial), but if you want a slightly nicer experience, wait until the arena opens and use them ones. (Also try and be reasonably near a perimeter fence, as it can provide a handy makeshift urinal. But like a I said, a reasonable distance, not right next to it.).

Think about the spot you want to camp in. Last year me and my friends were the perfect distance from everything. Close enough to the arena for it to be convenient, but not near enough that we had to endure crowds of w*nkers, and a good disance from the toilets, s that they were convenient but we avoided the smell by Sunday. Get to know the people around you. They can watch your stuff and ice versa. If you don't like or trust them, move! I'd advise getting their on the Wednesday to get a good spot (so you'll need an early entry ticket.)

Do not forget to eat! As stupid as this may sound, it can be very easy to lose track of time in the arena, something that I did last year. Watching Arcade Fire on the Saturday, I realised I hadn't eaten anything substantial since Thursday morning and spent most of their performance doubled up with stomach pain. (Was worth it though, they were incredible)

And don't waste your money on an ostrich burger, despite the novelty they really aren't that special. Buy a Yorkshire Pudding instead. Nearly four quid may sound like a lot for one, but words cannot describe how nice they are, and they're enormous and stuffed with sausage, mash and gravy, so they can keep you going for most of the day. There are stalls selling them in the arena, and outside too I believe.

Now obviously this one's up to you, but most of my friends and I mainly stuck with food you don't have to cook. We did buy some stuff from the stalls, but mostly we bought stuff from Tesco's that didn't need any cooking. But we're lazy b*stards so... We did have a couple of stoves but mainly used them for tea/coffee and soup a a couple of times. (Although if you split the cost of a tesco ready cooked chicken between three or four of you of you, or two if you're really hungry, it can work wonders when you're cold and tired. Just get a fork and dig in!)

Do what I'm doing this year and try to see somebody on ever stage!

Edited by j-j-j-j-joe!, 21 February 2011 - 12:03 PM.

[jump]

j-j-j-j-joe!, on 21 February 2011 - 11:50 AM, said:

Can't help with camping, as I go Reading, not Leeds.

But definitely agree with Dave The Hedgehog about not bringing too much. I massively overestimated how many clothes I'd need and ended up lugging around stuff that never even came out of my bag. And if it's dry then you'll need even less this year! Obviously if it's hot you won't need as much, but it can be very cold at night so be prepared.

But bring wellies. Without a doubt one of the absolute essentials. Don't think you can get away without them if it rains.

Bring wet wipes! Wet Wipes! WET WIPES! Pretty damn important.

Campsite toilets are okay if you can stomach them (until Sunday when they do become a bit of a trial), but if you want a slightly nicer experience, wait until the arena opens and use them ones. (Also try and be reasonably near a perimeter fence, as it can provide a handy makeshift urinal).

Think about the spot you want to camp in. Last year me and my friends were the perfect distance from everything. Close enough to the arena for it to be convenient, but not near enough that we had to endure crowds of w*nkers, and a good disance from the toilets, s that they were convenient but we avoided the smell by Sunday.

Do not forget to eat! As stupid as this may sound, it can be very easy to lose track of time in the arena, something that I did last year. Watching Arcade Fire on the Saturday, I realised I hadn't eaten anything substantial since Thursday morning and spent most of their performance doubled up with stomach pain. (Was worth it though, they were incredible)

And don't waste your money on an ostrich burger, despite the novelty they really aren't that special. Buy a Yorkshire Pudding instead. Nearly four quid may sound like a lot for one, but words cannot describe how nice they are, and they're enormous and stuffed with sausage, mash and gravy, so they can keep you going for most of the day. There are stalls selling them in the arena, and outside too I believe.

Now obviously this one's up to you, but most of my friends and I mainly stuck with food you don't have to cook. We did buy some stuff from the stalls, but mostly we bought stuff from Tesco's that didn't need any cooking. But we're lazy b*stards so... We did have a couple of stoves but mainly used them for tea/coffee and soup a a couple of times. (Although if you split the cost of a tesco ready cooked chicken between three or four of you of you, or two if you're really hungry, it can work wonders when you're cold and tired. Just get a fork and dig in!)

That normally happens to me, I will eat a bit of food (not even a meal, just an apple or an orange) I brought with me in the morning and the rest of the day I will just drink and smoke and not notice I'm hungry till the train back home on Monday.

Edited by jump, 21 February 2011 - 12:05 PM.

[harderfaster]

Some have said portable charger, some have said spare battery. Both do the trick. I usually take a spare battery, think I got it for an old Nokia for £5 online. It's a good investment too, I've used that phone (and its two batteries) at 8 or 9 festivals to date. It's nice not to have to worry about how much every phonecall you make is draining your battery. Having said that, at READING I never seem to have problem with signal (unlike V Chelmsford, which is seriously hit or miss depending on what network you're on) but obviously I can't speak for Leeds.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

sjp_121, on 21 February 2011 - 11:16 AM, said:

One thing I shall do next year though is take alot more money. Sunday morning, I was down to about £5 to survive me that day, and the train journey home. By 12pm I gave in and brought a yorkshire pudding with mash. That left me with something like £1.50.

I took £200 with me last year and came home with £80, I think. Most of it went on food and bottled water but I bought a Guns N Roses t-shirt as well (which made me an immediate target for abuse). Just do some maths beforehand if you know the price of food and then if you use pre-bought food for breakfast, you'll probably spend no more than £25 a day on food and water if you eat at your usual dinner and tea times, and then allow some for snacks.

Most people I've spoken to found they spend money on alcohol in the arena but it depends on what you actually like drinking, how much it looks like cola (Jagermeister) or water (vodka, gin, tequila), and whether or not you know how to re-seal bottle tops after you've filled them up with alcohol to make them look as if they haven't been opened. Me and my girlfriend went to Big Weekend last year and we easily spent £90 (just in one day) between us but that was because I bought about 7 bottles of Carling and 4 bottles of water, so buying alcohol and any kind of bottled fluid in general is a major drain on your wallet.

Festival organisers don't ban alcohol from being brought into the arena because it increases irresponsible behaviour - if that was the case, they wouldn't sell it when you're in there. They just ban you from bringing bottles in because one of the major money-making schemes of any festival is by charging you exhorbiant prices to drink the shit they provide, so learning how to re-seal bottles to make them appear as if they haven't been opened - yeah it's irresponsible but it saves you serious money. It's not hard to do either if you're prepared to spare some time either before the festival or in the mornings (at the festival) doing it.

[OKB]

rexclark, on 21 February 2011 - 10:53 AM, said:

Or for having a posh w*nk, That's probably all he does all weekend.

haha one day you will learn the real use for them

[kev1664]

Yep Alcohol is the main drain on funds.

I budget £35 per day in the arena for alcohol. Thats because a pint is £3.50 and if I were to drink 10 i'd have enough cash to cover it. If your in the arena from 11:30am til 12:00 midnight thats a decent amount to take for alcohol.

£150 ish for drink accross the weekend. £60 or so on food, and extra for t-shirts, hoodies, program and lanyard (even though they were crap in 2010, lost half of my pages).

One thing I will say is if you plan on spending all of the day in the arenas from start to finish don't take much food for your camp. We left loads between the three of us last year. Remember your stomach can't handle as much to eat when you've shrunk it through a load of alcohol.

Oh and another thing, don't stay sober, especially on the Sunday (if your around the mainstage), I did this last year as I was driving back Sunday night. The amount of drunken fools who stumble about and bump into you, or in general talk over bands etc is unbareable, it just pisses you off if your sober, its best to have a little drink and you won't get to hung up on it.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

kev1664, on 21 February 2011 - 01:26 PM, said:

Yep Alcohol is the main drain on funds.

I'm going to correct myself actually, in saying that you are only allowed to bring bottles of sealed water into the arena, so Jagermeister or any other 'brown coloured liquid' will not be permitted. I remembered being told to throw my bottle of 'Pepsi' away last year but I got my re-sealed bottle of 'water' through without any hassle - and they won't piss about opening it up just to smell it when 15,000 people are fast approaching them all wanting to get through the gates. They'll just glance at it so long as you make it clear that you have it on you and don't make ay attempt to conceal it.

If you want to get any other kind of alcohol in, you may struggle, though there are ways such as by using a Freedom Flask (not advised, just because it looks dodgy pissing into a cup and drinking it) or by storing it inside your body beforehand by drinking it and getting pissed at camp. Hip flasks are also an advisory and you can get these in no problem.

Alternatively, don't drink and experience the festival through the eyes of a sober person.

[Vacant0]

kev1664, on 21 February 2011 - 01:26 PM, said:

Yep Alcohol is the main drain on funds.

I budget £35 per day in the arena for alcohol. Thats because a pint is £3.50 and if I were to drink 10 i'd have enough cash to cover it. If your in the arena from 11:30am til 12:00 midnight thats a decent amount to take for alcohol.

£150 ish for drink accross the weekend. £60 or so on food, and extra for t-shirts, hoodies, program and lanyard (even though they were crap in 2010, lost half of my pages).

How the f**k do you manage to spend that much?

Anyway, noticed the arena toilets being mentioned a couple of times - go in as soon as the arena opens and ye, they're nicer - but come the evening and they're usually more disgusting than the long drops.

[OKB]

Dave The Hedgehog, on 21 February 2011 - 02:02 PM, said:

I'm going to correct myself actually, in saying that you are only allowed to bring bottles of sealed water into the arena, so Jagermeister or any other 'brown coloured liquid' will not be permitted. I remembered being told to throw my bottle of 'Pepsi' away last year but I got my re-sealed bottle of 'water' through without any hassle - and they won't piss about opening it up just to smell it when 15,000 people are fast approaching them all wanting to get through the gates. They'll just glance at it so long as you make it clear that you have it on you and don't make ay attempt to conceal it.

If you want to get any other kind of alcohol in, you may struggle, though there are ways such as by using a Freedom Flask (not advised, just because it looks dodgy pissing into a cup and drinking it) or by storing it inside your body beforehand by drinking it and getting pissed at camp. Hip flasks are also an advisory and you can get these in no problem.

Alternatively, don't drink and experience the festival through the eyes of a sober person.

hi mate how do you reseal bottles where s aguide? thanks

[rexclark]

OKB, on 21 February 2011 - 01:20 PM, said:

haha one day you will learn the real use for them

Well I'm glad you know what they're for. The thought of you reproducing sends a chill down my spine.

[OKB]

rexclark, on 21 February 2011 - 02:21 PM, said:

Well I'm glad you know what they're for. The thought of you reproducing sends a chill down my spine.

thats why I use them so I don't have a kid

[harderfaster]

I stewarded at Reading last year and we were allowed in through a different gate with one guy manning it. He didn't check bags at all so we were taking in 4/5 cans of fosters a time, saving £30 a day. That may be the sole reason I'll steward this year. Well that, and the £200 saved on the ticket.

[kev1664]

Vacant0, on 21 February 2011 - 02:14 PM, said:

How the f**k do you manage to spend that much?

Anyway, noticed the arena toilets being mentioned a couple of times - go in as soon as the arena opens and ye, they're nicer - but come the evening and they're usually more disgusting than the long drops.

£35 a day Fri/sat/sun = £105
Wed/Thurs = £40 probably less than that tbh more like £20 so maybe £125

Edited by kev1664, 21 February 2011 - 02:55 PM.

[Couchy]

Normal rule of thumb for me is take as much money as the cost of the price of the ticket. I always come back with change & feel much better about it. I'd rather take too much than run out & be stuck in one of those bollocking long queues.

Plus I find the best food to buy is one of those Yorkshire puds with beans, sausage & mash. It seems to give me enough energy to last all day & really fills you up if you brown nose the girls serving it. It costs the same as a pork roll. This is at Reading (in the Arena facing the main stage) but should be the same at Leeds.