Festival First Timer Guide

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Follow these guidelines and you shouldn't go wrong...

Essentials:
- A tent.
- Sleeping bag.
- Enough money and back-up credit card.

Packing clothes:
- Waterproof jacket.
- Sturdy, waterproof, comfortable shoes such as wellies or boots.
- A warm jumper – it gets cold at night and can double as a pillow.
- A cap/beanie/banada - to hide your greasy hair and protect you from the sun.
- Loads of socks – one pair a day will not be enough, especially if it rains.
- Old t-shirts/tops – light coloured tees as you’ll fry in black.
- Two pairs of trousers – pairs you don’t mind getting dirty.
- Underwear – for most it’s the same rule as socks, but it depends how hygienic you are.

Toiletries:
- Tissues and toilet roll – the loos will run out.
- Baby wipes – the festival shower for your pits and bits.
- Sun cream – there can be little shade at festivals and you will burn.
- Deodorant – deo for your imminent BO.
- Your mini-chemist – Asprin, plasters and a disinfectant like Germolene.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and mints.
- Tampons if you need them.

Miscellaneous:
- Food - pack some crisps, cereal bars, high energy and sugar bars. Tins will just weigh you down.
- Bin liners - work as a make-shift seat for the mud or an emergency waterproof.
- Money – take enough to last you the weekend as onsite banks tend to have big queues.
- Ear-plugs – your saviour when you’ve had enough but 50,000 others haven’t.
- A torch with spare batteries.
- A tin opener with a corkscrew on it for the baked beans/wine lovers.
- Condoms if you’re feeling lucky.
- Sunglasses.
- Tickets!

What not to bring:
- Needless attitude.
- Favourite trainers/trousers/anything really.
- Anything you'd really miss if you lost/broke it.

Looking after your stuff:
- Make friends with your camping neighbours. An extra pair of eyes on your tent means there will be less chance of invasion.
- Padlocks on tents make seem like a good idea, but often look like you’ve got something worth stealing.
- Money and mobile phones are essentials and things like cameras are expensive, so carry these around with you.
- Combat trousers often have button pockets so take full advantage.
- Some festivals have onsite lock-ups but check first.

Festival toilets:
- Take advantage at your last port of call in the civilised world.
- Festival toilets smell - try a few before you settle down as you may get lucky.
- Arena toilets are generally in a better state than campsite ones.
- Hold your nose on entry, breathe through your mouth and think happy thoughts!
- If you blag your way backstage use the loos there.
- The same goes for trips into town – use and abuse the loos in pubs and cafes.
- Try not to look down!

Looking after yourself:

Water:
- Drink plenty as the hot weather can lead to dehydration and illness.
- Running water will be available at campsites so fill up there for free.
 
Sun Cream:
- Slap on lots of high factor cream. It only takes a minute and will stop your weekend from being ruined.
- Take the cream out with you to re-apply during the day.
- If you get badly burned seem help from the medical tent.

Sex:
- Play it safe and use a condom because festivals are dirty with dirty people.
- Try to keep it quiet as canvas isn’t the most soundproof material.

Drugs:
- Drugs are just as illegal at festivals as they are anywhere else.
- Its not recommend to take your first drugs at a festival, especially hallucinogenics like acid or magic mushrooms.

 If you do decide to take drugs:
- Get your bearings first and don’t take anything until you feel comfortable in your surroundings.
- Getting wrecked on your first night can ruin the rest of your weekend, especially if you’re coming down from a drug like ecstasy.
- Stay with your friends and stick with them - no matter how annoying they get!
- Don’t buy drugs from strangers. You’re bound to get ripped off or buy rubbish.
- Remember you can get as messed up on alcohol as you can on drugs, so know your limits whatever you’re doing.