Music festivals are the best places to be, discuss.
Having been to quite a few music festivals over the last four years, my biggest regret is that I didn't discover them when I was young. Watching the families with young children having such a carefree time makes me realise that my own (now grown up) children would have had such a blast. The only festivals I was aware of as a young punk rocker back in the 70's were Glastonbury and Reading - but even then the ticket prices and travel put them out of my pay scale.
The first festival we (my lovely wife, my then 13 year old son and his mate) went to was a tiny festival in Devon called Chagstock - about 5000 people, two stages and an eclectic mix of music from John Otway to Seth Lakeman to Squeeze, we bought a tent for the occasion and had a wonderful time.
That festival pretty much set the scene for us - small, family friendly and an intimate sense of belonging. I love the freedom, the anything goes attitude to clothes, people and music. Many of the most memorable moments are of seeing a band or artist I'd never heard of having an absolute blast, getting a kick for performing in front of what is quite often a small, but highly appreciative, crowd of people.
At subsequent festivals we decided that we were getting too old for the tent and have bought a vintage (i.e. cheap and old) caravan which we repaired and have used ever since. So far we have attended Cropredy, Cambridge Rocks, Solfest, Kendal Calling, Wickerman, Summer Sundae and, of course, Chagstock, many of them we have returned to again and again, sometimes paying and sometimes working as stewards, always thoroughly enjoying the experience.
When you are at festivals (at least, the ones I have been to) it is as if world peace has arrived - there is no prejudice, no disapproval, no hatred. It is a land I want to emigrate to, give me a passport and I'd never leave. In 2013 we are hoping to make the leap from small and family friendly to the festival equivalent of the Big City - Glastonbury. I hope it will as good as the smaller festivals we have been to, who knows maybe bigger really is better.
Do you want to become a citizen of festyland? Is Glastonbury all it's cracked up to be? Can you recommend a festival for an old punk? Has the alcohol finally rotted my brain? Discuss.
