Alternative festivals?

[random_man]

that's wasn't true last time I went - despite being in a bag, and my tankard clipped to my waist - my tankard was seen as an 'offensive weapon' and knicked confiscated, and then the tins in my bag were removed - they weren't confiscated, I wasn't however allowed to take them in, so I stood there and downed all of them to quench the anger of having of having my tankard stolen confiscated.

[jackarmy]

that's wasn't true last time I went - despite being in a bag, and my tankard clipped to my waist - my tankard was seen as an 'offensive weapon' and knicked confiscated, and then the tins in my bag were removed - they weren't confiscated, I wasn't however allowed to take them in, so I stood there and downed all of them to quench the anger of having of having my tankard stolen confiscated.

Edited October 7, 2013 by jackarmy

[Ed209]

that's wasn't true last time I went - despite being in a bag, and my tankard clipped to my waist - my tankard was seen as an 'offensive weapon' and knicked confiscated, and then the tins in my bag were removed - they weren't confiscated, I wasn't however allowed to take them in, so I stood there and downed all of them to quench the anger of having of having my tankard stolen confiscated.

[amfy]

Spirits in a hip flask tucked into the back of your waistband, whilst finishing a can as you arrive at the gate to the arena. No issues.

[lazyred]

Which of these alternatives are family friendly? Still in shock at not getting tickets but life must go on.

We've been to Beautiful Days for the last 2 years and are also thought about Shambala, Bearded Theory or Boomtown.

Any opinions on these for two 40 somethings and a 12 year old?

[Mikeydread]

Missed out on tickets today but will be looking at the resale and also considering stewarding with Oxfam.

However, what alternatives are there out there?

I've done Kendal Calling the last 3 years...2011 was great but the line up the last 2 years has gone downhill considerably...so think I'll be giving it a miss unless the lineup (for me) is immense.

I know there are the usual suspects like Lattitude & Beautiful Days but what else is there out there that has a vibe similar to Glastonbury?

Boomtown Fair has interested me the last couple of year but never got round to going...is it worth going?

I'm not into 'rock' so Download is of no interest (nor is Leeds or Reading despite one of them being on my doorstep and me having worked there before).

Can't go through 2014 without a festival (as a punter)...any advice will be gratefully accepted.

[amfy]

I haven't been to any of those but my vote goes to Beautiful Days.

[jimmyt]

Boomtown has a kids field but, honestly, I wouldn't let my twelve year old (if I had one) anywhere near it!

[marcwilson87]

Probably already been said, but Lowlands and Sziget are the most glasto-like I have been to of similar size. Both good fun, I preferred Lowlands though.

[JC-Mo'Fucka]

I prefer bestival to glasto tbh, never thought i'd say that. Wanna try sgp as well though.

I've gone off my idea of eu fests.. I think a lot of them concentrate on the music side of it too much and forget about what some of what the uk fests are bloody good at (being creative, great vibe etc). Id probably only try the ones in croatia as its a f**king beautiful place.

[lukemack]

Anyone been to SummerWells in Romania?

Was looking on doing it this year but work got in the way

[BigChief]

Opinions / views of those who have been to Secret Garden Party?

[helen-8]

Which of these alternatives are family friendly? Still in shock at not getting tickets but life must go on.

We've been to Beautiful Days for the last 2 years and are also thought about Shambala, Bearded Theory or Boomtown.

Any opinions on these for two 40 somethings and a 12 year old?

[russycarps]

Stay away from boomtown with a 12 year old! I worked there for oxfam this year, it's a non stop party with one of the most creative "sets" I've seen.

I had a great time but when I describe it to people I say it was a great big ket hole with

some very very young participants. Hard to watch at times to be honest :0

[helen-8]

Hard to watch for me because there were a lot of unconscious teens around and about that needed medical attention. I've got teenage boys and I wouldn't like to see them in that state, sadly one poor girl lost her life too

Was a lot different in my youth too

[5co77ie]

Boomtown has a kids field but, honestly, I wouldn't let my twelve year old (if I had one) anywhere near it!

Edited October 8, 2013 by 5co77ie

[changingman67]

Keep the recommendations and experiences coming - i was at a gig tonight and as we missed out on tickets, we're planning to go elsewhere- only been to scottish festivals, glasto and reading - so the thoughts were on Green Man, Bestival, Latitude or end of the road. Will probably wait for the line-ups - and hope they don't sell-out before that.

Going to blow away the blues this saturday night - MGMT in a small gig in Glasgow. happy days.

[jimmyt]

I don't see it much different to festivals I went to when I was 14, or much different to some of the festivals I've taken my daughter to over her last 18 years, at least it has a kids' field. Do you think kids shouldn't see that that's what drugs/drink can do to them - my daughter is much more sensible about drink/drugs because she's been educated in them through going to festivals for the last 18 years and witnessing people off their boxes.

[The 38 year old virgin]

what do you mean by hard to watch?!

I love the sound of this festival but know I am WAY too old. Glad that such a cool sounding event exists though. Ket is such a shit drug though. So happy my youth was spent on acid and ace pills

[Slugworth]

Bestival. To me had that glasto spirit this year. Want to check out boomtown next year, anyone know when tickets go on sale and how quick they sell? Apologies of this has already been said, I'm on a sweaty train and losing the will to live let alone go through the thread. Thanks

[hjglasto]

Would definitely suggest Wilderness in Oxfordshire! Surprised no one has mentioned it. Nice little lineup with so much else to do; I did a capoeira workshop on the sunday, there was a percussion band suspended in the air, acrobatics, swimming lake, etc. Late night stuff isn't bad (but finishes at 2) and the atmosphere is fantastic. There's also a Green Crafts field similar to Glasto's! Very family friendly too.

Boomtown is also great, as is Green Man, and Latitude to a lesser extent.