The pinnacle of summer is the UK festival scene. In fact, summer isn’t summer without getting knee-deep in music (and possibly mud) at a festival weekender. The UK has one of the richest and most diverse festival circuits in the world – Glastonbury has become one of the most iconic festivals on the planet! If you’re itching to hit up some UK festivals then here is some background knowledge you might find interesting.
Inside UK Festivals
So popular are some of the sell-out weekenders, that as we edge towards Autumn, it’s already time to start thinking about early-bird tickets for 2020. But, if you miss out on the scramble to book tickets for the big festivals, don’t lose heart.
There are so many smaller undiscovered festivals which bring a much more intimate vibe to the music festival table and will still give you the festival-fix you are looking for. In fact, as a newbie, smaller festivals are a nice way to dip your toe into the festival scene.
Before you take the plunge and book tickets, here are some interesting facts you might like to know about the UK festival scene.
Why go to a music festival?
So, why go to a music festival? Well, in a nutshell, a music festival is a relatively cheap way to see live music. If you think about the cost of a ticket to a gig to see one or two bands or musicians, festivals provide a cost-effective way to see 2-3 days of live music.
Music is obviously the main reason people go to a festival. But festivals offer so much more than the opportunity to see and hear your favorite artists. Festivals also enable you to see new musicians you wouldn’t otherwise have listened to.
Best of all, festivals are an immeasurable cultural and educational experience. At most festivals, you can see comedy, drama and book readings, get a massage, do yoga and get involved in a whole range of other activities, or simply eat food from the many food outlets and sit in beautiful surroundings and drink beer.
You’ll create unforgettable moments and forge new friendships. There really is nothing like the connection you will feel amongst a crowd of happy people whilst rocking moves to your favorite tunes.
If you are worried about camping and slumming it, don’t let that put you off. You can actually experience VIP luxury at many of the UK festivals.
Exclusive camping areas offer luxury tipis, Gypsy caravans, Bedouin café tents, secret party spaces, pamper tents, luxury loos and proper showers. Some VIP areas even have their own entertainment program with live performances and DJs not available to the masses.
At Latitude festival in Suffolk, VIP options include a range of luxury cabins and luxury accommodation options, plus a concierge service on arrival (so you don’t even have to lug bags across fields – though it could be argued this is all part of the festival experience).
Music festivals are definitely something everyone should experience. To ensure you have an incredible time, read up on these 15 tips for festival newbies.
UK festival History: Isle of Wight, Glastonbury and Reading
UK festival history is incredible. From the flower power hippy movement of the 1960s through the Glam Rock festivals of the 70s, the rave scene of the 1980s, dance scene and Britpop of the noughties and the anything-goes break away from mainstream festivals and boutique events we are still seeing pop up to