Fantasy and multiple identities at festival events

[Hannah Courtney]

I am doing my dissertation on festival events and how they provide spaces for immersion in various fantasy themes. I am arguing that they enable festival goers to act in ways which they wouldnt in everyday life. Can you share any personal experiences of past festival events based on how you felt or acted which was distinctly different to real life reality?

[Katster]

I can't turn up for work swigging rum out of the bottle dressed as a pirate.

[Katster]

Neither can I turn up for work wearing a headband to cover up 5 day unwashed hair...

AND I have to wear clean shoes.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I am just as miserable at a festival as I am in real life. Dont see the point in dressing up at a festival, I save that for the bedroom.

[kaosmark2]

I am just as miserable at a festival as I am in real life. Dont see the point in dressing up at a festival, I save that for the bedroom.

[Katster]

Don't get me wrong I am not a fancy dress extraordinaire, it's just nice to have the option. I tend to wear brighter colours at festivals but I also tend to wear brighter colours on holiday, not sure if that's to do with summer clothes being brighter in general more than how I am feeling though.

At work I have to play a character so if anything I am more myself at a festival (or on holiday) than anywhere else.

At work I have to tell young people what I think is best for them, a bit like being a parent I guess? At a festival I would gladly share a pint with a young person and tell them my true feelings on any subject. I do find it hard at work to stay in character, especially when I am still a silly kid at heart.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Don't get me wrong I am not a fancy dress extraordinaire, it's just nice to have the option. I tend to wear brighter colours at festivals but I also tend to wear brighter colours on holiday, not sure if that's to do with summer clothes being brighter in general more than how I am feeling though.

At work I have to play a character so if anything I am more myself at a festival (or on holiday) than anywhere else.

At work I have to tell young people what I think is best for them, a bit like being a parent I guess? At a festival I would gladly share a pint with a young person and tell them my true feelings on any subject. I do find it hard at work to stay in character, especially when I am still a silly kid at heart.

[kaosmark2]

At work I have to play a character so if anything I am more myself at a festival (or on holiday) than anywhere else.

[Katster]

That seriously is one of the saddest posts I have read. I have seen you in real life and it sounds like you cant be yourself. That must be truely aweful. I still work in a few jobs but I work in counselling now and many around me play a role, I dont. What you see is what you get. J have found a group of clients, often young offenders, that want honesty and integrity from me. Thats what they get. I maybe different to your position but thats up to you. I like the festie Kat, with her smile, deep cleavage and glitter, and I cant see that repressed. :-)

To get to the OP's post. My first fest was 2004 since then I changed my personality and how I live in the real world. Over a few years but I live as I do at a festie (but without the foaming at mouth and booze).

[Rufus Gwertigan]

You and all of the efesters keep of going. I love you

[grumpyhack]

Festivals are the chance for me to take my 'sensible head' off for a week and chill. But I don't tend to do fancy dress - just effective clothing (hopefully to stay cool in the sunny days but also warm at night). It's more about behaviour than clothing. Luckily I'm in a job that allows fairly relaxed clothing anyway. I resolved a few years ago that I'd never take a job again where I have to wear a tie (they're solely now for weddings and funerals).

[nightcrawler13]

in real life its frowned upon for me to be Jesus, a pirate or a kangaroo...

i do it anyway, and just ignore the frowns to be honest

but life is much nicer at festivals where the boring people are outnumbered

[jump]

If I meet someone I don't like I give them a fake name which I've been using for about 7 years now so they can't track me down on facebook and the internet later. It has created problems where people meet years later by chance and I'm forced to tell them my real name.

[MrZigster]

Zebra Orgy Video?

[Snufflebutt]

If I was doing my dissertation again I'd do it on those doing research. The Exit Through the Giftshop of academic literature. If the OP is still here, I'm just wondering about ethical protocol regarding people posting about a topic that you have made - do you still have to make sure that those contributing to the topic are ok with you using stuff they have written? Just curious cos my postgrad was on research methodologies but every university is different of course?

[Katster]

Zebra Orgy Video?

[Steve P]

Festivals are one of the few times where I can be Steve as opposed to Dad. Both are me, but Dad me does distinctly less boozing, smoking and sitting up until sunrise making inappropriate comments