This was my third Bluedot, but sadly possibly my last due to the cashless system. Even though it worked perfectly well, I object on principle to having to give my bank details and agree to privacy terms with some company I've never heard of - by all means offer it, but making it compulsory (or not being able to buy anything) is not cool. I also spent far too much - by the end of each evening, I was lurching around like a drunk zombie holding my wrist out for more beer and chicken!
It's a fantastic festival though - awe-inspiring location, a properly curated eclectic line-up (as opposed to all the usual bands doing that year's fest circuit) and a really friendly atmosphere. Pitched up in the worst storm on Friday, but I'm an old hand at this and soon had the tent mopped out and changed into dry clothes. As always, the campsites were not big enough - If you arrive after midday on Friday it's almost impossible to find a spot. They policed the fire-lanes for the first day, but quickly gave up moving people on as there was nowhere to move them to. Oh and they need to empty the urinals more often!
Musical highlight was New Order, best non-music show was Rob Newman, and best miscellaneous thing was the Apollo 11 chatter broadcast over the fields between midnight and 3 am with words and lights projected onto the telescope - what a lovely inspiring thing to go to sleep to.
Beer and food was pricey (but what festival isn't?) but a good selection of both. Onsite security wasn't exactly 'ring of steel' - very easy to smuggle booze in if you're sensible and not obvious.
Blue Dot Festival
in other UK festivals
Posted · Edited by PhilDeFer
This was my third Bluedot, but sadly possibly my last due to the cashless system. Even though it worked perfectly well, I object on principle to having to give my bank details and agree to privacy terms with some company I've never heard of - by all means offer it, but making it compulsory (or not being able to buy anything) is not cool. I also spent far too much - by the end of each evening, I was lurching around like a drunk zombie holding my wrist out for more beer and chicken!
It's a fantastic festival though - awe-inspiring location, a properly curated eclectic line-up (as opposed to all the usual bands doing that year's fest circuit) and a really friendly atmosphere. Pitched up in the worst storm on Friday, but I'm an old hand at this and soon had the tent mopped out and changed into dry clothes. As always, the campsites were not big enough - If you arrive after midday on Friday it's almost impossible to find a spot. They policed the fire-lanes for the first day, but quickly gave up moving people on as there was nowhere to move them to. Oh and they need to empty the urinals more often!
Musical highlight was New Order, best non-music show was Rob Newman, and best miscellaneous thing was the Apollo 11 chatter broadcast over the fields between midnight and 3 am with words and lights projected onto the telescope - what a lovely inspiring thing to go to sleep to.
Beer and food was pricey (but what festival isn't?) but a good selection of both. Onsite security wasn't exactly 'ring of steel' - very easy to smuggle booze in if you're sensible and not obvious.