September 18th 2024.
After a long day of frolicking in the muddy fields, there's nothing quite like a hot shower to wash away the grime. Festival season has finally come to an end, after four months of wild summer celebrations. And if you're feeling like you might have missed out, well, you probably did.
From mind-blowing performances to wild parties that you can't quite remember, my summer is filled with happy memories. But I have to admit, I'm not your typical festival-goer. I'm not one to rough it out, with a five-step skincare routine and a love for the luxurious "everything shower."
In fact, after a not-so-great experience at the Boomtown festival back in 2022, where I got stuck in a sandstorm and the temperature reached a scorching 37C, I swore to never put myself through that again. But two years later, my friends were all buzzing about their upcoming festival plans and I couldn't help but feel a serious case of FOMO.
Before I knew it, I found myself attending not one, but five, festivals. And surprisingly, I had an amazing time. I realized that there's a certain knack to surviving and enjoying these events, especially for those of us who prefer our home comforts. And lucky for you, I've got it down to a T. So if you're a high-maintenance gal like me, here's everything you need to know for next year.
First and foremost, choose your festival wisely. For me, Lost Village festival was the perfect choice for my camping festival of the summer. It's safe to say that we were not disappointed. And let me tell you, this is the most important step.
Be realistic about what you can handle. As someone who loves comfy bedding and electricity, I knew that I wouldn't be able to survive multiple weekends in a tent. So instead, I opted for mainly day festivals, with one long five-day event thrown in: Lost Village.
This independent festival took place on the August bank holiday weekend this year, from August 22 to 26. This way, I could attend without using up a huge chunk of my annual leave. We were also told that the crowd is usually free of rowdy teenagers, making it more suitable for those in their mid-20s and above. And let's be real, the last thing anyone wants is to be surrounded by 16-year-olds celebrating their GCSE results all night long.
Now, let's talk about the weather. It's safe to say that it's not always going to be in our favor. But with some proper planning, you can still have a great time. For our trip to Lost Village, we traveled from London with just an hour and fifteen-minute train ride from King's Cross, followed by a shuttle bus that took us right to the festival gates.
Next, be mindful of the type of music you'll be listening to at the festival. Don't make the mistake of attending a drum and bass rave if that's not your thing. For me, I love house and electronic music, so I knew I'd have a great time at Lost Village with headliners like Maribou State, Yaeji, Neil Frances, and Floating Points.
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of festival preparation - the massive shop. You'll need to stock up on essentials before the big event, and it's often compared to war preparations. And trust me, it's no joke. Depending on the festival, you may or may not be allowed to bring a camping cooker. So make sure to check the terms and conditions beforehand.
Canned foods are a good option, but they can be quite heavy to carry. And unless you have a bodybuilder for a friend, you'll have to lug all that weight in your backpack. Snacks like protein bars and cereal bars are also great to keep you going throughout the day, especially when you're on your feet and dancing all day long.
Now, let's talk about some hair and beauty items that you can't leave at home. Cooling sprays or face mists are a must-have for those hot and sweaty moments on the dance floor. I highly recommend Evian's hydrating mist for just £8. And while some may say that setting sprays are a sham, I find that they really do help keep my makeup in place.
Body wipes are also a lifesaver, especially if you don't have access to a shower. It may not leave you feeling completely fresh, but it's better than nothing. And don't forget to pack a good moisturizer, as the combination of camping and dancing can leave your skin feeling dry and dull.
Sunscreen is a must, no matter how easily you think you tan. Make sure to get at least SPF 30 for maximum protection. And for that extra sparkle, add some hair gems to your festival look. They're quick and easy to use, and you'll get tons of compliments on your "effortless" hairstyle.
For Lost Village, we were allowed to bring in eight cans of alcohol or one bottle of wine. I opted for eight cans of Moth cocktails, which at 14.9% each, made for a great pre-drink before heading into the festival grounds. And don't forget to stock up on medical items like paracetamol and ibuprofen for those days when you're not feeling your best. Vitamin C tablets and caffeine pills can also come in handy for a quick energy boost.
Another tip - invest in a good pair of earplugs. Festival music can get pretty loud, and you don't want to damage your hearing. My personal favorite is Loop earplugs, which allow you to enjoy the music without the ringing ears afterward.
And lastly, the best purchase I made for this year's festival season was a set of walkie talkies. With a group of 18, we decided to get six between us. Phone signal at festivals is often poor, so these walkie talkies were a lifesaver. Not only were they great for silly conversations about bowel movements, but they also helped us find each other when someone got separated.
So there you have it, my ultimate guide to surviving a festival in style. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to fully enjoy the festival experience without sacrificing your comfort and sanity. Until next year, happy festival-ing!
After a long day spent in a muddy field, there's nothing quite like a hot shower to wash away the dirt and grime. Festival season has finally come to a close, marking the end of four months filled with big summer blowouts. If you're feeling like you missed out, don't worry, you're not alone.
As someone who enjoys their home comforts, I'm not your typical festival-goer. I have a five-step skincare routine and I'm a big fan of the "everything" shower. Plus, after a disastrous experience at Boomtown festival in 2022 where I got caught in a sandstorm and temperatures reached a scorching 37C, I vowed to never suffer through a similar experience again.
However, two years later, my friends were raving about their festival experiences and I couldn't help but feel a little FOMO. Before I knew it, I had signed up for not one, but five festivals. And surprisingly, I had a blast. Turns out, there's a knack to surviving festivals for those of us who prefer a bit more comfort, and I've got it down to a T. So, if you're a high-maintenance festival-goer like me, here's everything you need to know for next year.
The first and most important thing to consider is the festival itself. We chose Lost Village for our camping festival of the summer and it did not disappoint. But, as someone who loves a comfy bed and access to electricity, I knew I wouldn't be able to handle multiple weekends in a tent. So, I opted for mostly day festivals with one five-day event thrown in: Lost Village.
Held over the Bank Holiday weekend this year, Lost Village is an independent festival that's perfect for those in their mid-20s and above. It's known for its diverse crowd and amazing lineup. And let's not forget that it didn't eat up too much of my precious annual leave. The only downside? The unpredictable weather.
Luckily, getting to the festival site in Norton Disney from London was a breeze. A quick train ride followed by a shuttle bus and we were right at the gates. But when it comes to choosing a festival, make sure to check the type of music that will be playing. After all, you don't want to end up at a drum and bass rave if that's not your thing. Thankfully, Lost Village had a lineup that catered to my love for house and electronic music.
Now, onto the essentials. As someone who loves a proper meal, the thought of surviving on canned food for days on end seemed like a nightmare. But, with the extensive festival shop the week before the event, it almost felt like preparing for war. Canned foods are a good option, but they can be quite heavy to carry around. Snacks like protein and cereal bars are a lifesaver for keeping your energy up while dancing all day.
And let's not forget about hair and beauty products. A cooling spray or face mist is a must for those hot and sweaty moments on the dance floor. And if you want your makeup to stay put, a setting spray is a game-changer. Body wipes are also a must for those without access to a shower. And to combat the dryness that comes with camping, make sure to pack a moisturizer and SPF. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
But, what about those little extras that make you feel human again after days spent in a tent? Hair gems and funky eye makeup are my go-to's for looking put together without too much effort. And when it comes to alcohol, Lost Village allows you to bring in eight cans or one bottle of wine per person. We opted for the former and got our hands on some Moth cocktails with a whopping 14.9% alcohol content.
Of course, it's also important to stock up on medical items like painkillers, vitamin C tablets, and earplugs. You never know when you might need a little pick-me-up or some rest from the loud music. And speaking of communication, investing in walkie talkies for our group of 18 was one of the best decisions we made. Phone signal at festivals is notorious for being poor, so these were a lifesaver for finding each other when someone got separated.
Sure, festival season may be over for now, but it's never too early to start planning for next year. And with these tips and tricks, you'll be well-prepared to survive and thrive at any festival, no matter how high-maintenance you may be. So, choose wisely, stock up on the essentials, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories.
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