Have you ever been to a festival?

Thank you to everyone who contributed,

Went to my first one when I was 65. A young friend of mine was playing and me and his Mum and another friend marched in through the band entrance carrying his stuff being "with the band" It was amazing...ankle deep mud but brilliant. I want to go again and glamp...just me all on my own but it will take some planning

Went to Summerfest in Milwaukee and a couple of years ago DD took me to Larmer Tree.

Hop Farm Festival in Kent 2008. Headline acts were Neil Young and Primal Scream. A really great day, even if it was absolutely chucking it down.

Only Jazz Festivals

Been to both the Green Man and EOTR music festivals many times. At the GM we used to get a camping pass for a whole week. Someone commented when chatting that our large tent and it’s contents looked like a 5* hotel. Sadly don’t think I can do festivals anymore as I have a dodgy hip and shoulder joint. DD2 has been to Reading festival but my older 2 children are horrified by the very thought.

MissChateline

I loved Glastonbury in the mid 80’s. I had just separated from my ex and had friends who had a circus in education. We used to all travel down in the big converted van which had a stove and beds in. I loved all of the activities and being the back end of a Chinese dragon.
For the past few years we have been going in the Campervan to WOMAD. The world music is fabulous and the atmosphere fantastic. The age range of attenders is very varied and it’s a very friendly chilled out festival. We have seen so many stunning African and Asian bands as well as music from all over the world. Sadly this festival may never happen again due to the difficulties of obtaining visas for all of the musicians and support staff. We will miss this festival.

Are there any bands that you could recommend? I love Amadou and Mariam and Tinariwen (sp). I seem to have gone off music recently and need to get into it again. I used to love GOAT too after seeing them at Glastonbury on the tv. I think I’m missing seeing Glastonbury on the tv. Always used to discover a new favourite band watching it.

Shinamae

No,festivals have never appealed to me either but in 1970 I did see Pink Floyd in Hyde Park, that’s as near to a festival as I have ever got....

I hitched to that all the way from Cornwall. Slept through it and hitched back.

No they never appealed to me .I did enjoy music loved going to disco,s .

?????? does a harvest festival count??

My first festival was the Bath festival of Jazz and Blues in 1969 after that it was Reading every year for ages. The Bath festival was brilliant. I was 13.

Yes, Reading and Glastonbury several times . Cambridge Folk festival once . Several local festivals including one that went into administration half way through but carried on anyway . The Hot House Flowers were the headliners .

JackyB
That sounds like a magical experience. I loved ZZTop back in the day. I always remember Mike Beard was the only member without a beard ?

When my DS were about 13 and 15 we went to a few local festivals run by our favourite radio station. For me it was a great excuse to get to see some big names. For them it was also a great way to see their favourite bands and enjoy the festival atmosphere which they wouldn't have been allowed to on their own.

One was in a field and the three of us slept in a tiny pup tent. We just had a carton of milk and three bowls for our breakfast muesli - the rest we bought at stands around the field. We left during the headliners on the last night (ZZ Top) so as not to get caught in the rush to leave.

We also saw David Bowie and Richie Blackmore. As Club members we had access to the big marquee where the artists gave private unplugged concerts after their gigs. I am glad I got to experience this.

Bruges Harpsichord Festival in 1977. Sixteen classical Baroque concerts on original instruments in eleven days. Awesome. We stayed in a cheap hotel.

Went to both Isle of Wight Festivals (still have the programmes) also Reading, Glastonbury, Fairport and lots of local music festivals. It'll be great to get back to it

Monsters of Rock at Donnington twice and Isle of Wight once, think it was 2013.

Yes, I love festivals. Sadly never went to Glastonbury and wouldn't want to go there now. We've been going to little music festivals for the last 10 years. Fabulous music, great company, lovely food and camping out under the stars. Fab u lous!!!!! ?

Oh yes every year the Harvest Festival at my local church.
Well, only an afternoon at the Godiva Festival. It was fun, sat on the grass with our overpriced drinks in plastic cups. Ventured in to us couple of tents but it was rather loud.
That was 10 years ago.
Really it's all passed me by.

Yes yes yes I love festivals and the last one I went to would have been about 4 years ago
I spent years going to WOMAD we nearly always had good weather except one year but we had so much fun it didn’t matter at all
I m hoping to go again as soon as
My grandkids have bought their tickets for this year so fingers crossed

No,festivals have never appealed to me either but in 1970 I did see Pink Floyd in Hyde Park, that’s as near to a festival as I have ever got....

Went to the IOW festival 2015 absolutely fab fun. Glamped, so we did have showers, loos, and a bar in our area. We were mixed ages including x2 teenagers. Weather good and saw some amazing acts including Fleetwood Mac. Everyone we met was happy, friendly, no age barriers at a festival, everybody is young at heart, it's a experience.

Festivals have never appealed to me tbh.

No - I sported monkey boots! ?
Every time I went it was scorching hot.
One memorable time I got sunstroke and my forehead swelled up.
I honestly looked like the elephant man.

Did Glastonbury once, I think probably the second year. I have never been so muddy and cold, never again.
We have been to smaller festivals though, and they really are great, lovely atmosphere, good music, don’t like the portaloos though!