Ten essential tips for festival first-timers

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There’s nothing like a music festival for good times and great music. But if you’ve never been to one before, they can be a bit daunting, mainly because there’s so much to take in all at once. With this in mind, here’s a handy guide to making sure your first festival is a smash hit you’ll want to repeat again and again.

1. Wear comfortable shoes

Even boutique festivals can be pretty spread out, so don’t wear anything that might chafe your feet – you’ll definitely get to 10,000 steps as you ping from stage to stage. And if the forecast predicts rain, nothing beats a trusty pair of wellies. If you want to customise them like Dame Shirley Bassey did at Glastonbury, go right ahead.

2. Don’t worry too much about hygiene

Festivals are a communal experience – that’s what makes them so fun – which means communal toilets, communal shower blocks and communal mud if it rains. But if you plan ahead, you won’t have to worry about grubby hands on the day. Just stash some hand sanitiser and biodegradable baby wipes in your bum bag and you’re covered in the event of a sudden muck attack.

3. Set a rough budget

Most day festivals probably won’t let you bring in food and drink. Most weekenders with camping probably will, albeit with certain restrictions on alcohol. Either way, you’re likely to be buying snacks from the festival’s street food stalls, so it pays to know their price point. Do some research online before you go and you’ll know how much to set aside for an emergency burrito.

4. Keep an eye on the weather

UK festivals can be sweltering or a washout – or a bit of both on the same weekend. Even festivals in sunnier countries like Spain and Croatia can be hit by a quick summer shower. The best way to assuage any pre-festival anxiety is to cover yourself for all eventualities by packing SPF50, a bucket hat, a lightweight raincoat and a spare pair of socks. If you arrive ready, you stay ready.

5. Don’t try to see absolutely everything

Whether huge or boutique, every festival has multiple stages, which means clashes are inevitable. If you’re not careful, you can spend all day schlepping from stage to stage without staying still for long enough to lose yourself in the music. You’ll probably have more fun if you focus on seeing a handful of acts that you really love rather than ticking off dozens and dozens for the sake of it. And if you’re attending an artsy festival, don’t forget to check the lineup for quirky cabaret, spoken-word and comedy shows.

6. Do a little bit of forward-planning

Some of a festival’s most joyful moments come when you stumble across an amazing act you’ve never heard of. There’s definitely something to be said for floating around the site and picking up vibes, but at the same time, you’ll kick yourself if you miss your favourite band. All festivals share their stage times well in advance, so you can plan your movements before you arrive. Many festivals also have a dedicated app that will keep you abreast of any last minute changes.

7. Bring a portable phone charger

Running out of battery is a buzzkill, but it’s probably going to happen when you’re posting content to Instagram all day. If you don’t have a portable charger, you’ll be able to find dedicated charging stalls on the festival site. Just be aware that you’ll probably have to pay to use them.

8. Set a designated meeting point

At some point, you’re likely to get separated from your mates – it’s a pain, but it happens. Mobile reception at festivals can be shaky because a) you’re in a field and b) everyone’s using their phones at once, so it pays to have a backup plan. If you arrange to meet somewhere obvious – outside the first aid tent, say, or at the side of the main stage – you won’t have to worry about getting lost.

9. Drink lots of water

Any festival is a marathon, not a sprint, so you’ll want to stay hydrated. Locate the free water refill points when you arrive and you’ll be all set for a day of stress-free raving.

10. And finally, choose the right festival for you

No two festivals are the same. The deeper you dig into a festival’s lineup, the more you can be certain that it’s the one for you. There are hundreds of UK festivals so have a browse online and book one that really hits your musical sweet spot.

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