top tips for festivals

[Josie's Cat]

Agree with having your medical condition apparent for an emergency, but would say go for a bracelet like this one medical bracelet

It's safer to have it on your wrist it will get seen quicker when medics check your pulse.

Also, if you want to be popular with the crowd, or at least your near neighbours, have a packet of Polos with you! I dunno why but Polos are always welcome! better and less messy than chewing gum - no-one ever got a Polo stuck in their hair!

[ahardbattle]

I don't carry a bag - just wear combats! Those bloody huge pockets can contain pretty much everything I need for the day - although it can look a bit silly with bulging pockets, but I care not!

[rolfester]

Top tip - if Paul Weller happens to be playing don't waste your time going along. He will be terribly dissapointing and if he does play any Jam songs he'll probably murder them....

[cassandra13]

Most years I have ended up carrying a rucksack which got progressively heavier so last year I decided to take only the essentials, and took my things in a pixie pocket from Lotus Moon, lots of pockets for small pack of tissues for bog roll, hand sanitiser, money, keys, tickets. It was brilliant, free hands, free shoulders and no danger of anything falling in the bog.

[stuartbert two hats]

Last year I only brought a very small bag and I found that I couldn't carry enough really. Better to have a slightly bigger bag and have everything you need... you'll probably always want your phone, camera, drink, loo roll, anti-bacterial gel, maybe a snack, maybe extra layers if you don't want to go back before night time.

SNIP

[mynameisearl]

pain killer are a must nowt worse than havin a killer head ache and being able to do f**k all about it.

i had to head home early from connect due to a migraine kicking in and no one having any with them booooo..............

[venuss]

No ... no ... no

Those very thin foil sheets flap around in the wind and create so much noise in the early morning

and annoy the person in the next tent

maybe someone can explain this one to me .... because I can't see how it works

you can not create a complete sun reflection zone if that is what you are thinking

One of the battles in a hot year is the fact that your tent will be about 35C by about 9:30am.. Apparently the way to combat this is to buy a couple of those foil bivvy bag survival things from Poundland and drape them over the top of your tent. (Untested tip!)

[Sparky]

TRAVEL LIGHT

You really really really don't need that many clothes.

As long as you take loads of socks and pants you're fine. If you somehow manage to soil every piece of clothing you have, well you have a cash card, go and buy replacements for very cheap from the stalls.

top tip; BUY A PACK OF PRIMARK SOCKS FOR £2. The joy of wearing a fresh new pair of socks when camping is unparalleled.

BAD HAYFEVER SUFFERERS

WILL NEED TO OVERDOSE. TAKE PILLS, EYE DROPS AND NASAL SPRAY AND USE THEM ALL TOGETHER.

Edited May 17, 2009 by Sparky

[staggerlee]

pain killer are a must nowt worse than havin a killer head ache and being able to do f**k all about it.

i had to head home early from connect due to a migraine kicking in and no one having any with them booooo..............

[dwukky]

Wouldn't first aid give you any and are they not for sale?

[kyjenni]

I'm considering taking a hot water bottle for extra coziness in me sleeping bag at night - toasty!

Also collapsible barbeque grill - smaller and lighter than most camping stoves and gas.

Do people just have fires on the grass or do you clear that to dirt? I doubt many have firebowls??

[flibbitybob]

I always take a surgical face mask for trips to the toilet! Ask your local dentist for a couple!

x

[r0cky]

BAD HAYFEVER SUFFERERS

WILL NEED TO OVERDOSE. TAKE PILLS, EYE DROPS AND NASAL SPRAY AND USE THEM ALL TOGETHER.

[r0cky]

No ... no ... no

Those very thin foil sheets flap around in the wind and create so much noise in the early morning

and annoy the person in the next tent

maybe someone can explain this one to me .... because I can't see how it works

you can not create a complete sun reflection zone if that is what you are thinking

[Sparky]

being too comfortable at glasto is against the law.

who the heck wants to spend their life at 'room temperature'

[sunnyshoes]

I usually take one of those drawstring gym type bags for all our gubbins out and about. it's not too big that I bash people and is comfortable to wear. it holds enough for us.

like the idea of using up half loo rolls rather than taking full rolls.

[grumpyhack]

Fold up chair. Easy to carry round and something to sit on if it's muddy. You don't always want to be at the front/in a crowd and it give you a chance to rest between bands. It's also something to sit on for those late night putting the world to rights conversation times.

[Stocky Jesus]

When you get there and you have your wristband (with dangly bits) attached to your wrist, best to make sure it not on your bum wiping hand :-)

[staggerlee]

First Aid can't - Glasto's Festival Medical Services should be able to as they are Doctor run. There is a pharmacy on site, but I say this with love, they are there as a commercial service and pitches aint cheep, they also have a "captive audience" so there prices may not be "high street"

Glasto on the health side is better than several others, mainly as it is a longer event and is "well established"

a tip : to keep this on topic - be ready for delays and the like, if you want something specific be there early - a 10 min journey at 3am isn't when a major stage is "emptying" against you

[bombfrog]

TRAVEL LIGHT

[TaylorT]

I love threads like this, just read the lot and its got me too excited for this time of night some top tips aswell so thanks

My top tip................ HAVE FUN FUN FUN !!!!

[Kowalski_1888]

Take some decent mates. Could be a loooong weekend otherwise.

[Craigston]

On the day bags issue I've always found sharing one between two, working about 5 hour shifts taking turns carrying it, works.

I had a courier style bag for previous fests which was cool but prevented me dancing while wearing. This year I've got a karrimor 18 litre rucksack (very reasonably priced at £10 in soccer sports!) which will hold a lot more and not inhibit dancing.

As my little sister's going this year for te first time I fear I may be lugging a load of her stuff round...

[Moonlight]

On the bag front, I have always managed with a small-ish bag, over the shoulder, across body type. I manage to fit in there, money, loo roll, antibackterial handwipes, hat, anti-bacterial hand gel, baccy etc. Then I usually just wear a scarf tied to the bag, and an extra cardi/jumper around my waist for when it gets cold. The best thing about the waterproof jackets that pack up into themselves is that you can usually attach them to yourself on a belt-loop on your jeans.

Oh and wearing jeans is a no-no for me. Last year a friend and I went with teeny shorts and skirts, with tights and over the knee socks, and we were fine. Our mates wearing jeans though, well they were soaked!

Also, those little freezer bags are handy for keeping your stuff dry when you're out and about.

Plus, ear-plugs are also pretty useful if you actually want some kip.

And warm, comfy pyjamas are the best thing ever! Especially after a rainy/cold day

[r0cky]

Disagree.

I now take more stuff than I used to because it's nicer to be comfortable for a few days and have clean clothes, proper equipment etc. Lugging it from the car really isn't that hard and it's worth it.