Tips for first timers?

[Steven_92]

Hi everyone,

I know that probably millions of articles have been posted with similar or identical titles and I also know that I've probably left it rather late but I was wondering if any of your perennial festival goers had any tips for first timers? Whether it be suggestions of camping spots or anything else I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers, Steven.

[stuartbert two hats]

You won't see all the bands you want to see. Don't worry about it, enjoy taking your time.

[glastovirgin859]

leave all your worrys/stress/problems etc, at the gate and just try and have the time of your life, dont rush around the site trying to catch every band u like just relax go with the flow and keep smiling and spend at least one night up at the ston circle for sunrise ! truely magical

[sisterofmercy]

The atmosphere is brilliant, there's always a friendly face around so if you ever need help don't be too intimidated to chat to the people around you, I met some great/weird people that way last year.

Also, be prepared to hold your breath whilst using portaloos, Vapour Rub under the nose works surprisingly well, but the open air toilets are the more sanitary ones.

But yeah, just enjoy every minute of it, there's nothing like it. :angry:

[Wooderson]

- Pace yourself.

- Dress/Prepare for all weather eventualities. Hats in particular are essential.

- Don't bring anything youre not prepared to lose. Use lockups.

- Bring two fully charged mobiles - swap the SIM when the first runs out.

- Arrive as early as you possibly can.

- Don't miss Bruce Springsteen.

[travelling mr pastry]

behave and get in amongst it, thats all you really need to do

[jsn]

Be open to doing / seeing / experiencing stuff that you wouldn't usually do / see / experience....

[HurrahBrother]

Yeah, get lost,

just for one day

By that I mean just wonder about the areas of the festival that are not near the main stages and not worry about a thing except what you see, hear and smell immediately around you. Thursday would be good for that as it sets the tone (I think of it as a detox from 'normal life').

I could lose a whole day in the greenfields alone!

tip 2: pack a radio, tune it to worthy FM (about 87-88 mhz fm). when your back at your tent, listen to it, especially when your getting up and getting your whatevers together before you set off into the festival. More than once I went to see someone on the strength of a record, session or a simple 'heads up' on the radio that morning. Also anything that missed the print run of the daily paper gets mentioned. brings me neatly to ...

tip 3: daily paper, free from the info points while stocks last, has up-to date listings of who is on where that day.

Tip 4: at least once at the festival you will feel alone and effing miserable in the crowd, this is especially true if your missing a loved one, or its a mud fest. This is normal. Often when I am feeling it, about 5 minutes later I will see something that will make me chuckle and brighten up. After all, what are the highs, without the lows.

[Steven_92]

Cheers everyone, i'll be taking into account all of the things you've said. Could anyone suggest a safe and friendly area to camp?

[mrfunk]

Cheers everyone, i'll be taking into account all of the things you've said. Could anyone suggest a safe and friendly area to camp?

[hippy linda]

Pennards or Kidney Mead

[muddyslingbax]

don't get overly wasted on first night; just know your limits. Have a trial run this weekend

[Tenner Huey]

- Pace yourself.

- Dress/Prepare for all weather eventualities. Hats in particular are essential.

- Don't bring anything youre not prepared to lose. Use lockups.

- Bring two fully charged mobiles - swap the SIM when the first runs out.

- Arrive as early as you possibly can.

- Don't miss Bruce Springsteen.

[xlxexaxnxnxex]

I'm a glasto virgin too, going with my best friend, we're both 24. I have been to other festivals but need advice on where to camp, we like to party but I like some sleep too, get knackered from bouncing all day! So any ideas??

Also, any new bands I should see?? I like kol franz wombats maximo park and not feeling Bruce or neil...

Cheers

[LRW]

- Pace yourself.

- Dress/Prepare for all weather eventualities. Hats in particular are essential.

- Don't bring anything youre not prepared to lose. Use lockups.

- Bring two fully charged mobiles - swap the SIM when the first runs out.

- Arrive as early as you possibly can.

- Don't miss Neil Young.

[Late]

- Spread your cash about, bit in wallet, bit somewhere else etc.

- Clear out your wallet before you go, take only a bank card, drivers license and ticket.

- Use the long drops rather then the portaloos.

- Expect to get completely lost, but enjoy it.

- Leave your tent in a right old mess, less easy for a thief to grab it all and make off with it. If you leave it a real bad mess a thief might think it has already been robbed. (dont tend to get much of this these days).

- Dont try and see to many bands, visit the smaller parts of the festival.

- Try the brothers cider and visit the cider bus (have some cider brandy if you can stomach it, it's like liquid happyness once the taste has gone away and it has kicked in).

- Shop around for food, dont just buy the first thing you see. There are bargains to be had.

Have a great time, i wish i could see my first Glasto over again.

[Steven_92]

I'm a glasto virgin too, going with my best friend, we're both 24. I have been to other festivals but need advice on where to camp, we like to party but I like some sleep too, get knackered from bouncing all day! So any ideas??

Also, any new bands I should see?? I like kol franz wombats maximo park and not feeling Bruce or neil...

Cheers

[Snodgrass]

Don't pace yourself

Stick with music you like, not bands you like

Wander

Say yes to everything

[TheBoyInTheBubble]

Keep a clean pair of jeans for on the way home. If it's been a muddy one, just keep your muddy clothes every day and as you're getting ready to go stick the jeans you've been protecting on. It'll make you feel a bit better and when you're leaving Glasto you will need some sort of pick-me-up.

[niceandfriendly]

Or just bring a spare battery!

[sisterofmercy]

or switch your phone off 'cause you're at a festival

[Messiah Jason]

I'm a Glastonbury virgin myself and was planning on camping in Pennards (arriving wednesday in the am) but seeing as it's been suggested that there are better places to camp I would like to know where and why if anybody would be so kind as to share their thoughts.

[Grateful Ghoul]

I think this video is quite helpeful, it wont be that muddy this year so don't worry

Watch and try and track down the mystical porcelain of avalon

Edited June 16, 2009 by Grateful Ghoul

[ben dover]

I camp at the Other stage. Excellent vibe and a great view of all the acts. Really friendly and suprisingly quiet (for a fest) at night considering it is also next to the dance area.

For my first Glasto i was advised to have a wee puff of some 'erb before my first approach to the greenfields. Excellent advise and probably the best time i have had ever!!

Other tips:

Sam's Sauna in the morning followed by some Eartheart Chai. You will walk back along the old railway feeling amazingly refreshed.

If you like organic/veggie food head up to the greenfields for your food. Big difference in quality and price.

Cider bus and Brothers are no brainers however the Bimble Inn has some amazing Scrumpy.

When the acts are done, you still get a few acts in the cabaret tent which are a nice contrast in entertainment.

Make it really difficult for the robbers. Especially the first night when you have had such a great time you couldn't imagine some dick will reach into your tent and take all your money. If you have any friends who take speed - nows the time to get them a big bag and plonk them outside your tent Wed/Thurs night.

Take sunscreen this year coz it is gonna be hot!!!!!!!!!!

[Messiah Jason]

There's alot of talk about cider which is all well and good except I'm not a massive fan, may give it a go just to be in the spirit of things though.

Is there anywhere onsite that can be recommended in regards to perhaps some ale? Not a big deal really though as usually at festivals it's rubbish like Carling for stupidly high prices.

Other stage advice sounds good, not too far away from everything but suprisingly quiet when you want to sleep? Sounds good to me, as does the food advice. I've heard a lot about the food variety at Glastonbury so I've got high expectations.

Edited June 16, 2009 by Messiah Jason