T in the Park 2010

Well it is pretty official we got VIP tickets to this in July!
It has been on DH's bucket list and a guy that works with him on the rig gets the VIP passes but this year is working and so Kevin and I get to go!

Now this is a 3 day music festival and I have never really been a camper so needless to say this should ne interesting.  We have a tent and a big sleeping bag BUT what else?

anyone ever done this festival?
any words of advice?

what did you bring?
What did you wish you brought?

http://www.tinthepark.com/content/

Never done a festival, but I think some good rain gear (waterproofs) and Wellies would be a must!  (for any festival here in the UK, anyway) 

Hopefully, some other festival veterans will be along with something more helpful!

These tips make me laugh:

http://music.guardian.co.uk/flash/page/0,,2068734,00.html

 

Have fun!  

ETA: contents may not be for everyone. meant in humour only. 

MLG, that is pretty darn funny, but it just hasn't convinced me that this is something that I ever need to do before I die. 

I've heard of some people renting a yurt - wonder if they'll have those at T in the Park?

I've never done T in the Park, but I've been to Glastonbury like 6 or 7 times through work. Don't get too overglamourised with the VIP thing - at Glastonbury it just means you get a separate camping area with nicer toilets, an okay bar/canteen, and some shortcuts between the stages.

I second the wellies. Absolutely bring them, even if the forecast is dry! Also bring loads of warm clothing, because it gets FREEZING in tents after dark. Also bring toilet roll, and my own personal tip is to bring some squash (I hate buying bottled water, and the free water at most festivals tastes gross). Oh, and baby wipes & antibacterial hand gel, because washing your hands after the portaloos if often not an option (ewww).

Try not to read too many women's magazine features on "festival chic fashions". It's complete bollocks - NOBODY dresses like that, not even the celebs - they're just trying to stay dry and wram, too.

I dont own wellies obviously I need to get some...I cant imagine walking in "stuff"

The VIP part I like is we park closer to the tent area...

I am SO not a girlie girl - I will be the chic in a tank top and shorts and wellies (now) and at night long sleeve t-shirt and sweats!
I don't do glam when you sweat and drink all day and then sleep in a tent - its all about comfort for me.

Good call on the hand stuff and I am making my list...Kevin wants to fly a Texas flag so we know what tent is ours - now we just need the flag! I also get paranoid people will steal stuff out of your tents

MLG - I loved the video! LOL

You might want to be prepared for cooler weather during the day as well; it's not unusual for it to be well under 20oC up here, and even with all the people it may not be as warm as you expect. Best bet is to check the weather reports before you leave, as it could be anything between 10 and 25oC, sometimes on the same day!

I also get paranoid people will steal stuff out of your tents.

I've heard that happens.    I think it's just don't leave anything valuable in there.

Other thoughts:  sunblock, insect repellent, bin bags or plastic bags, leave a dry set of clothes in your car, small flashlight/torch, your mobile in case you get separated...

FESTIVAL season!!! woo!

I've done Glastonbury 3 times, and also Oxygen Festival (which is the same as T in the Park, just in Ireland). I'm also a camping fiend.



Here's my tips:

-Wellies (of course). I also recommend getting some comfy insoles to put in your wellies.

-Clothes to wear every day. My first year of Glasto, it rained really hard, and thankfully I had different (and dry) clothes on every day. My clothing of choice for festivals is summer dresses plus leggings, as they pack really small, and just layering on top. You don't want to bring just one pair of jeans, and then have it piss down the first day...

-PONCHOS. Seriously, get tons of ponchos. Yes, they sell them at the festival, but they're over priced and rip like crazy. I would suggest bringing a few ponchos per person (just incase it rains every day and they dont dry overnight). The best thing about ponchos is they cover your whole body and your bag as well, so nothing gets wet. This seriously makes the difference between an awesome festival and a horrible one (for me at least).

-Little tripod chairs. This was essential to me as I've had a couple ankle surgeries recently, and couldn't stand for long periods of time. They fit in your backback. Sometimes you really need to sit, but the ground might be wet (or they also have those awesome blankets that are plastic on one side to prevent from getting wet).

-Toastie Toes. These things are seriously awesome. I did not need them last year at Glasto as the weather was decent, so you might not even need them. But the year before, I used them every single night as it was freezing. They go just under your toes and keep your feet warm when you're going to bed...

http://www.actionoutdoors.co.uk/shop/heatmax-toastie-toes-p-2155.html

-Small packets of kleenex to bring out with you daily in case there's no toilet paper. (so important)

-Plastic bags, for all of your wet sh*t

-A towel

-A box of wine and a flask.

-Cooking type things. My boyfriend is British, and cannot DEAL without his tea every morning right when he wakes up. So, we bring a small propane burner that you can get at any camping store for like £20. Then we also bring a cheap kettle to put on top and boil water. And THEN, we bring out dried milk so he can make his stupid tea and not need fresh milk. We also bring things like super noodles and rice, because festival food is expensive, and just sometimes you need some quick carbs at your tent. I also bring things to make smores, hehe! (that impresses all the brits, as they've likely never seen or heard of a smore before).


Okay, thats all I can think of now, but I will certainly be back on this thread when I think of other things.

I love festivals!!!  

I dont really do festivals but some of my friends do.  Some of the main things they talk about is wet wipes for "bathing" and dry shampoo.

Aww I love festivals- I used to go to them all the time in the US- but I have yet to make one here- mostly because I don't want to go alone - because no one wants to go with me  (friends all have young babies and aren't brave enough for that and J hates mud on his hiking boots- let alone anywhere else  etc, etc). I used to go to them with my friend B in the US- he was the best festival goer ever- we always had so much fun! I need him to visit and come with me!   

Anyways - definitely prepare to be filthy, wet, muddy, sunburnt, minging, smelly, hungover, headache, etc- 

My personal list of essentials includes:

Big trash bags- contractor size if you can find them- and/or plastic drop clothes (like they use for when redecorating/painting) they're great for sitting, turning into ponchos, chucking dirty boots into, a gazillion ways to use them

Small first aid kit with band-aids, ibuprofen, aleve, etc

Sunscreen, lip balm, and a big, floppy brimmed hat

Tissues and antibacterial hand gel

A sense of humour!!!!

Have a great time! 

Anyways - definitely prepare to be filthy, wet, muddy, sunburnt, minging, smelly, hungover, headache, etc- 

Gosh that sounds like fun! 

Aww I love festivals- I used to go to them all the time in the US- but I have yet to make one here- mostly because I don't want to go alone - because no one wants to go with me  (friends all have young babies and aren't brave enough for that and J hates mud on his hiking boots- let alone anywhere else  etc, etc). I used to go to them with my friend B in the US- he was the best festival goer ever- we always had so much fun! I need him to visit and come with me! 

What! Festivals are the best places to meet new people. Buy a ticket for Glasto next year for the ultimate UK festival experience. My boyfriend and I go every year with a group, and now I'm inviting you!

What! Festivals are the best places to meet new people. Buy a ticket for Glasto next year for the ultimate UK festival experience. My boyfriend and I go every year with a group, and now I'm inviting you!

Was thinking Belladrum - they've got a good lineup this year

Looks great!

Unfortunately we've had to stick to one festival per year, as we've both been broke a$$ MA students for the past couple years, and Glasto just offers everything.

Hopefully next year will be making grown up money and can venture off to some of these smaller, awesome looking festivals.

We'd also like to get back to the US and do Coachella again (which is where we met, awww).

I'll get to a festival with you...someday! No one should be denied standing out in the rain with a pint, live music, and dirty wellies...