At Home with John and Debbie

Look out, this is going to be a bit rambling and poorly structured, at least at first. Maybe one day I’ll think it’s finished, and remove this paragraph.

I’m just back from Glastonbury 2007, having been going since 1995, and I thought that now while my thoughts are fresh would be a good time to share the benefits of my experience. Glastonbury is the only festival I’ve attended since deciding that Reading was for animals over a decade ago, but much of what I write might apply to other festivals.

Posse

In my opinion, Glastonbury is better with friends. Book in groups. Of course, you might be the sort of person who enjoys their own company, in which case you’ll be fine on your own. You might be the sort of person who makes new friends easily — you’ll get on fine at Glastonbury too.

Packing

The essentials are:

• Tent
• Clothes
• Money
• Ticket

You can save money by taking other stuff, but anything you need can be bought on site if necessary (actually, you could even buy clothes and a tent).

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast and not commit to an exact set of clothes until as late as possible. It’s pretty much common sense: if it’s going to rain, take suitable footwear, waterproofs, and plenty of changes of clothes. If it’s going to be hot, take sandals and summery clothes, and pack sun cream.

Ziplock bags are great, especially if it’s likely to be wet. Pack socks in one, so you know they’ll be dry.

Some people bring tons of stuff, utilising wheelbarrows and sack trolleys, and making multiple visits to their car. I think it’s wise to pack light, yet on the other hand I do take advantage of bulky items carried in by friends (gazebos, large tents, etc.)

Getting there

Car, train, bus, hitching, cycling: there are many ways. The festival provide information on this.

Getting in

You can expect a traipse from the car park or bus stop to the main gate (this is why it’s good to pack light). People may ask to see your ticket; show it but do not give it to them. When you reach the gate, someone will take your ticket, check it, and let you through. Next, someone will fix a wristband onto you — keep it on for the duration of the festival. Following this, you’ll go through some turnstiles. Here, people will hand you free programs and bags and recycling sacks — so make sure you have a free hand.

There will be a further traipse through the site to find somewhere to camp.

Finding a campsite

If you arrive early — maybe before Wednesday afternoon, it gets earlier every year — you will have your pick of the camping fields. If you arrive any later, many fields will be full. Campsite stewards should be able to tell you where there is room — but you do have to ask them.

Obviously, not everyone can be in a field that’s close to the action. The later you arrive, the more remote the available camping will be. Some people choose a cramped space on uneven ground close to the stages over a relatively spacious pitch further away. That choice is up to you.

It’s claimed that in 2007, there was still ample camping space, even though many people failed to find it. I’d like to think that asking the campsite crew would have been enough — but I can’t say for sure.

Anyone who’s used to the civilised kind of camping would be apalled by the Glastonbury sites, however. By necessity, tents are pitched very close to each other, sometimes touching, sometimes with room for a boot between tents. Non-essential guy ropes aren’t pegged down, because inevitably someone will trip over them in the dark.

Camping

The basics: pitch the tent, and use it.

How to make it nicer: If you have space, you can form a camp with your friends. Something approximating a circle, with a fire in the middle. This is a nice sociable place to hang out in the morning before heading out, and at night before going to bed.

A camp flag adds to the sense of community, and also makes it a lot easier to find your tent among the sea of other tents.

Some people think gazebos are antisocial, in that they consume camping space. I say, screw ‘em. A gazebo is a godsend in the rain. The down side is the bulk and weight carrying it in and out.

Communication

Before mobile phones, and before Orange brought their temporary masts to the site, people would just lose each other, and that was all there was to it. Nowadays, though, mobile phones are extremely convenient, and any resistance to them is basically futile. Batteries run down fast, so take spares (in a ziplock bag!). Services are patchy. Text messages work, but can be delayed. If you absolutely must communicate with someone, call them rather than texting. Of course, they might be somewhere loud, not hear the ring, or not be able to hear you when you speak.

Contributing to the vibe

You are absolutely welcome to go to Glastonbury and just take - eat, drink, be entertained. You have, after all, paid for a ticket. However, it’s also fun to do a bit of “give back”, and contribute to the atmosphere.

One way is to pimp up your campsite a bit. The flag is a good start. Slogans or designs painted onto tents are good too. Accessories work. Be creative. You can wander through a Glastonbury campsite pointing at things and being entertained - and you can contribute to that effect.

Another way, which I’ve not done myself, is fancy dress. Simply by doing your festival wanderings dressed up, you brighten up the place for other people. In 2007, many people were entertained by the sight of Where’s Wally in the crowd.

Eating

There is lots of food available at Glastonbury. In general (and with exceptions), the quality improves and the price decreases the further you get from the two main stages. £6 will get you a decent meal pretty much anywhere on site, but if you shop around you can go much cheaper without sacrificing quality.

2007 highlight: Goan fish curry, between the Jazz World stage and the Field of Avalon.

Entertainment

With over 30 stages, not to mention activities taking place off stage and art installations, there is a lot more going on than you can possibly take in. Trying to see too much is a recipe for exhaustion and disappointment — more so in mud.

I think this is the most important thing I’ve learned - pick no more than two essential acts a day. You will see other things, maybe by aiming for them, maybe by stumbling upon them, but by accepting you might miss some things, you allow yourself to relax and enjoy the things you do see.

Your personal tastes will dictate where you enjoy most. I’m still learning.