Alternative festivals?

[eFestivals]

Shambala 2013 - Adrian Sherwood, Courtney Pine, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Birth of Joy, Nicky Blackmarket, Romare, Carrie Rodriguez ..

rocking out to poetry and talking. I like it.

In all fairness, I think it's a bit silly to judge what sort of person I am based on the bullshit I come out with on here

In which case I can ignore all you've just posted as worthless made up bollocks.

Care to remind me why you're posting here?

Get to know me before you call me a c**t

I feel i've just got to know you a little better.

you're a c**t.

[Dog Burger]

Well let's have a look...

Shambala 2013 - Adrian Sherwood, Courtney Pine, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Birth of Joy, Nicky Blackmarket, Romare, Carrie Rodriguez are the initial names that stand out to me... that's about the amount of bands I saw at Glastonbury. I spent a great portion of the rest of the time enjoying what I saw of the site, all of which seems encapsulated at Shambala judging by the website, which is reassuring. Helps that it's relatively local to me too. I considered going last year on the advice of a friend I met at Bestival 2012 but it was purely financial reasons I didn't.

Boomtown Fair - I'm not entirely sure where to start with this purely because there's a lot of bands and acts that are interesting to me, and I'm surprised I haven't been drawn to it before. Aside from the bands, the concept of the place seems intriguing but I think I'd have to find out a bit more about it first. Financially it'd put me in a bit of a pickle though if I decided I wanted to go to this, Shambala and Beacons which all seem to fall over 3 consecutive weeks.

In all fairness, I think it's a bit silly to judge what sort of person I am based on the bullshit I come out with on here, or to dismiss my interests in experiencing different festivals when at the heart there's a lot more I look for than whatever it is you think I look for and don't get/therefore complain. Closed minded actually; slightly elitist too. What I say is relevant (usually) to the topics at hand - in this case, Bestival, but would I ever say 'don't go there - you'll hate it'? No, because I don't know these people, I don't know what they look for at festivals, and as far as I'm concerned, if they want to go; who am I to advise them not to? I'd say go and experience it for yourself, and if you come back not feeling the same as I did about it, hey, we're not the same person, and we look for, see and enjoy different things.

Get to know me before you call me a c**t

[Gnomicide]

Already been mentioned on here a few times but Bearded Theory is a great little festival. Imagine Avalon with an added outdoor stage, a dedicated kids area and a dance tent and you've just about got it covered.

It's moving to a new site this year which in one way is a shame (the old site was very picturesque with a good set up) but I've been to the new site when a different festival was there and it was pretty nice in itself. It's now on for 4 days so an extra bit of value for money.

[demonsurfer]

might look at shambala for next year if im not lucky in the resale .plus shambala is when its my birthday which is cool

[Dave The Hedgehog]

rocking out to poetry and talking. I like it.

[Matt - Ed Banger Records]

Dry your eyes Bono!

If I saw a grown man in a tacky rabbit mask crying in a bush because some teenagers wouldn't wave at him I'd be laughing too.

[Homer]

The short answer is Bestival - but it's a massive pain to get back from.

Latitude is like Bestival - but without any balls. If you like the poetry, comedy side of Glast then it's decent. If you want to hear beats and see fire coming out of stuff - Bestival.

[Paul ™]

Exit

[Dubious Morals]

I've been to three Bestivals and I enjoyed it immensely every time.

Best things about it:

Fewer clashes than most fests since the Big Top (second stage) goes on till silly o'clock.

Usually a strong line up.

Nice size (big but not too big).

Nicely designed.

Above average toilets.

Worst things:

Getting to and from it is a total headache. It very rarely went smoothly.

Not allowed to bring booze from the camp sites to the rest of the fest. To be fair this is the same most places. It's still shit though.

With regard to what Dave the Hedgehog is referring to re: 'the crowd', there is a higher proportion of 18-30 year olds at Bestival than Glastonbury for sure, and yes some of these people aren't always going to be the sort of hardcore festival goer that really gets stuck in. However, on the flip side of that I have got more hassle from antisocial idiots at Glasto than Bestival. This could easily not indicate anything and just be bad luck, but there you go.

My personal theory on that is that people being able to wander round all day with foul spirit concoctions (Glasto) leads to people being a little less amiable than those up to their eyeballs on MDMA (Bestival).

[Ovechkin]

Roskilde in Denmark or Wercther in Belgium. Roskilde seems to have one of the most epic campsites around, and Wercther usually have the best lineup.

Or a swedish festival tour.. dunno yet

Wont compensate for no glasto tho

Edited October 7, 2013 by Ovechkin

[eFestivals]

I would advise not to be so judgemental in future;

Priceless words from you Dave, I shall treasure them forever.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

The short answer is Bestival - but it's a massive pain to get back from.

[russycarps]

I had a ball on the way back from Bestival last year. You just need to leave enough 'kit' for the journey home, in my experience.

[5co77ie]

I had a ball on the way back from Bestival last year. You just need to leave enough 'kit' for the journey home, in my experience.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

bad luck

[random_man]

Bestival - is a good, fun festival. Its probably the only festival that has a lineup as varied as Glastonbury (massive acts to small acts and some pop in the middle). The downside to the festival is the hassle it takes to get there, the ferry prices, and the silly 'No alcohol in the arena' rule

Latitude - Nice location, plenty of alternative stuff to see and do, and good (but expensive) food. The downside is that it feels like a typical Festivals Republic we want your money festival, and once again a very strict no alcohol rule!

Boomtown - A great festival, but not exactly what I would call a nice festival! The atmosphere is electric, the detail of the festival is amazing and it really is non stop fun. The downside is that you never know if the contents of your tent are going to still be there when you get back.

Shambala - An all round fun weekend. I would say its more of a playground for adults that a festival. The music (still of a great quality) creates a great backdrop to the weekend full of happy people, glitter and games!

Other festivals people have mentioned here -

Roskilde is a good week, the Danes, Swedes and Germans really know how to have fun, but it is just a music festival with not a lot else going on (in a similar way to Reading or Leeds). It always has a good line up too

Exit - A cheap weekend in the sun in a amazing venue - but it has become very much on the European backpacker trail. It has an amazing dance stage

Benicassim - Brits abroard in a carpark, I wouldnt even bother!

Personally if I hadnt got tickets for Glastonbury I would of gone for Fusion Festival in Berlin

I havent been to Bearded Theory or Beat Herder but have heard nothing but good things!

Edited October 7, 2013 by random_man

[russycarps]

At the back of my head, that's my philosophy for Bestival and it might (I say 'might') cloud my better judgement - it just seemed so rife in 2012. I won't say 'everybody' who goes to Bestival is like that; I just saw it more prevelant there than in 2011, which was virtually without fault. So swings and roundabouts to sum up the Bestival problem I have.

Go and see for yourself.

[5co77ie]

I'd add Beautiful Days, Y-Not, 2000Trees, Festival No.6, Green Man, WOMAD, Secret Garden Party, Wychwood, and One Love

Edited October 7, 2013 by 5co77ie

[random_man]

I'd add Beautiful Days, Y-Not, 2000Trees, Festival No.6, Green Man, WOMAD, Secret Garden Party, Wychwood, and One Love

[Dave The Hedgehog]

can I just ask, when you were hiding in a bush dressed as a rabbit and waving at people, were you clothed from the waist down?

this is important.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Dave The Hedgehog

[zahidf]

I really like End of the Road: Good atmosphere and generally great music.

[Homer]

Bestival - is a good, fun festival. Its probably the only festival that has a lineup as varied as Glastonbury (massive acts to small acts and some pop in the middle). The downside to the festival is the hassle it takes to get there, the ferry prices, and the silly 'No alcohol in the arena' rule

Latitude - Nice location, plenty of alternative stuff to see and do, and good (but expensive) food. The downside is that it feels like a typical Festivals Republic we want your money festival, and once again a very strict no alcohol rule!

Boomtown - A great festival, but not exactly what I would call a nice festival! The atmosphere is electric, the detail of the festival is amazing and it really is non stop fun. The downside is that you never know if the contents of your tent are going to still be there when you get back.

Shambala - An all round fun weekend. I would say its more of a playground for adults that a festival. The music (still of a great quality) creates a great backdrop to the weekend full of happy people, glitter and games!

Other festivals people have mentioned here -

Roskilde is a good week, the Danes, Swedes and Germans really know how to have fun, but it is just a music festival with not a lot else going on (in a similar way to Reading or Leeds). It always has a good line up too

Exit - A cheap weekend in the sun in a amazing venue - but it has become very much on the European backpacker trail. It has an amazing dance stage

Benicassim - Brits abroard in a carpark, I wouldnt even bother!

Personally if I hadnt got tickets for Glastonbury I would of gone for Fusion Festival in Berlin

I havent been to Bearded Theory or Beat Herder but have heard nothing but good things!

[Homer]

Indeed. I have only been once a few years back, but I loved the journey there and back. Had a ball. Wouldnt want to be driving though..

[5co77ie]

Getting booze into the Bestival arena is no problem at all (you simply need 'a bag').

[phillyfaddle]

Shambala - An all round fun weekend. I would say its more of a playground for adults that a festival. The music (still of a great quality) creates a great backdrop to the weekend full of happy people, glitter and games!