Festvival Camping

thriftymanc

Try and get one of those torches that pulls out into a lamp, you can hang them from the ceiling of your tent and see far better at night.

Paint something on your tent or make some kind of flag to attach to the top of it so you can spot it quickly - it's practically impossible to find your khaki two-man dome tent in a sea of thousands of identical khaki two-man dome tents... even if you swore blind you'd pitched it near the tree next to the navy four-man dome tent... or was it that navy four-man dome tent over by that tree, or that one over there?! Also remember which field you're camped in BEFORE you leave it for the first time (this is not as obvious as you may think if you're already drunk by the time you pitch your tent!). Write it on your hand if you need to.

Entertainment for around the campfire (naughty) is always good, I do it oldskool and take a cheapo crappy cassette player and mixtapes but if you're more newskool you could always take a cheapo crappy iPod dock. Cheapo crappy acoustic guitars are also good (esp. kids' half size ones).

It's not remotely sexy but a bum bag can be useful if you want to carry a little more than your pockets will allow (e.g. water bottle water) and a bag on your shoulder can be a right pain in the backside when you're jumping up and down all day.

Have an annoying catchphrase to yell out at random all weekend. Actually do people still do that or am I showing my age?!

Try to share stuff with people if possible. E.g. one person can bring the wet wipes, someone else can bring the bin bags and so on. Cuts down on the load you're carrying which for me is always the worst part of the festival!

You only need one change of clothes (except socks/underwear). If you get something wet, change into your other outfit and let it dry. If it gets dirty, it doesn't matter as everyone will be the same. Don't wear jeans! I like those lightweight combat type trousers, terribly unfashionable but practical as I can carry what I need and they dry out in minutes if it rains plus they're not too hot in a crowd or the sun.

Most importantly just have fun and don't worry if you forget something, it's only a few days and you'll survive (unless it's your train ticket home, and even then you'll be surprised what looking and probably smelling a bit dishevelled can do for you when you're crying right into the lovely customer service lady's face at the station...).

Sharon87

People are saying no jeans... I don't have much else apart from jeans! My leggings have gone awol, need to buy some more. I'll have wellies to tuck my jeans into! I will want to keep the tent if possible as I'm going to 2 fetivals within 6 weeks of each other!

I'm not sure if people are making it out to be as bad as it actually is or not...

bambinaUK

Buy cheap leggings from Primark, jeans are a total pain to get in and out of when in a small tent and a nightmare if they do get wet. Imagine it's raining, you are in a small 2/3 man tent and you are trying to get your wellies off and stay dry and keep the inside of your tent dry and mud free, it's impossible.

Festivals aren't supposed to be bad, just be prepared for everything and you will be fine. After your first experience you will completely understand all the posts in this thread and have your own personal recommendations

apesxx

Definately do not do jeans, my partner did jeans the first night and was the worst decision he made he said. They got wet and he said they were really heavy and made him really cold. he wore his trackies 2nd night and he was much better. Both nights i wore shorts and wellies with knee socks underneath..

Do not take a tent you are not prepared to leave, I was absolutely adamant i was taking my tent home and i woke up on the morning to leave and decided there was not a chance, it had rained the last night and was absolutely covered in mud. Just think of it this way, if you were to stay in a travellodge it would cost £40+ per night so even if you buy a tent and leave it it is far cheaper than booking a room and do you really want to be spending ages cleaning the mud, sick, pee off it?

eamon

Toilets. If you must use the Turdess's then wait till they have been cleaned by the Turd Busters.

Don't leave anything behind. Sonisphere is not Glastonbury, there is no army of volunteers that sort through the crap that a huge majority of lazy ignorant fest goers leave behind. Your tent and other stuff will not get recycled, instead it will get dumped in expensive and scarce landfill. Don't just get up and go. Pack up your sh*t, place your rubbish in the bins/refuse area. Leave the area as you found it, its not difficult.

Sharon87

I think I'll probably wear jeans going back on the last day, but not during it. Might get some shorts!! Haven't worn shorts for about 9/10 years! I've got a few skirts... but will definintely get some leggings.

I'm going to take an over the shoulder bag with me - one with adjustable straps, as I will not be leaving money/camera/phone in the tent, and will need to put sun cream/water bottle somewhere! I'm use to carrying a bag on my shoulder at gigs anyway, so this shouldn't be a problem, I know how to protect my stuff when I'm out.

shadowcamper

lightweight tent or pop-up type (cheap on ebay/ supermarkets) mallet, airbed, sleeping bag, small towel bucket for pee (i'm 34 and still scared of the turdess!) clothes toothbrush/paste, hairbrush, can of dry shampoo, deoderant (check because alot don't allow large cans, so mini's or roll ons) small stove (check on what's allowed) kettle for hot drinks, pot noodles etc, food, can opener if required, foldable water carrier, plastic mug and bowl knife fork spoon, good backpack and/or trolley to put your stuff in (i bought a cheap hoppa shopping trolley, it's been a wheely miracle on the long walks at Download etc), matches, lighter, torch, small first aid kit (antiseptic cream plasters for blisters etc), bug repellent, sunglasses, sun cream, aftersun cream, waterproof ponchos, wellies, flipflops (for sore feet/ wearing in shower), earplugs, eyemask, few binbags, and as many wetwipes as you have room left to jam in!!!!!!!!
p.s you see a crazy old fat lady wandering about, be nice it might be me!
have a great time!

joeblack066

The problem with a really cheap single skin tent is that you will wake up with everything wet inside it due to condensation. If you are going to be 'trollied' all weekend, you might not care, bit if like me you're fairly sober throughout, I'd make sure that you get a proper tent. You're looking at around £50 for a 2 man I think. I've been to loads of festivals and always taken my tent back home. (going to 2 this year and I'm nearly 50, woop woop!!) Have fun, it's a liberating experience!! :-)))

Sharon87

Is this tent ok for one person? I'm going with my brother and his girlfriend so will have my own tent!!

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9275647/Trail/searchtext%3ETENT.htm

Saz888

Some more food/drink ideas
If you drink wine or cider buy them in the boxes (tesco do a cider in a box) the bags can be removed from the boxes for easy packing/carrying round in the day. Take some paper cups or reusable plastic cups. Prices onsite are usually ridiculously high I always take my own.

Cheese spread and crackers are easy to keep and fruit too.
Peanut butter
Tinned fruit or whatever you could bear to eat cold!
Dried fruit and nuts for energy!

Ooooh and a tin opener and bottle opener! (if not mentioned before)

It is always nice to be able to feed yourself if you are back at camp and hungry.

I also take soluble energiser berocca type multivitamin tablets for a bit of a zing in the morning or evening!

Enjoy!