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Original poster

Sunday night Reading festival nightmare - do they even care?

354 replies

itsallabittiring · 31/08/2021 19:20

I wanted to ask about the experience people had on Sunday night in the campsites. My daughter, who is 18 and fairly streetwise, said it was absolutely terrifying as people were going round blowing tents up using aerosols. There was also a massive fight right next to them and then a stampede of people trampled over her tent. They seriously feared for their lives. Until then they had had quite a good time, although some men camping nearby had been threatening on and off so they felt a bit unsafe at times.
Security guards were next to useless apparently and a few of them were apparently clearly on drugs and were asking people for 'Ket'.
It literally sounded like the most unsafe place you could probably think of - they had to take it in turns to stay up and not sleep to try and stop themselves getting blown up. She said it felt so out of control and everyone was drugged up and didn't care.
I would seriously think twice if you think your 16- 18 year old could cope with that. I know my daughter and her friends will never, ever go back. I think it is pretty appalling how scenes like that are allowed to happen. If your teen does insist on going maybe ensure they aren't there for Sunday night which is when it all really kicks off in a nasty way.

OP posts:
NotJuryDutyAgain · 31/08/2021 21:07

That sounds awful. Glad I'm a sheltered "princess" who has never been in a situation like that, partly through luck and partly through avoiding places where irresponsible idiots people are likely to be off their heads on alcohol/drugs or otherwise running wild.

NotThatSocial · 31/08/2021 21:07

I went to Leeds, in 2002 I think. We ended up leaving in the middle of the Sunday night as people were starting massive fires and throwing aerosols on them, setting fire to toilets, pulling security towers down, it was absolutely grim. I've been to loads of other festivals and never experienced anything on that scale before or since, though it's definitely been my experience that the most well known festivals attract more idiots than the smaller ones or those without such big name headliners.

Original poster
itsallabittiring · 31/08/2021 21:08

@TatianaBis

Not sure 18 counts as young teen

It doesn't, I'm talking younger.

There are many parents who wave their kids off to festivals and I'm thinking - do you really know what goes on? They're so naive. A friend of mine was happy for her 16 year old DD to go to Reading this year - a friend of ours was raped at a festival when we were young and it really messed her up. Does she really think things have changed? If anything I think it's got worse.

Totally agree - it's bizarre to suddenly agree to your child attending a drug-fuelled, probably violent mass gathering when most parents these days try everything to keep them safe in normal life. It's as if people believe the word 'festival' makes it all somehow different and okay. Veto Reading for anyone under 18 I say, and even then go in a very large mixed group and camp in white.
OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 31/08/2021 21:09

I think the OP meant some of the security staff were on drugs.“

Of course they were. Hired 3 days before the event, free entry.

You don’t think they’re trained security, do you?

OnTheBoardwalk · 31/08/2021 21:10

TabithaTiger wow as you say this is true and it does surprise me

I’ve woken up in my past to aerosols being thrown on fires. It isn’t pleasant

HonoreDeBallsack · 31/08/2021 21:11

@PaulGallico

Really sorry your daughter had such a difficult time at the festival. My son and his friends (mixed group) had a great time and felt quite safe. I realise this does not address your OP but wanted to offer a different point of view.
I would also offer a slightly different point of view, in that my 17 yr old DD went to Boardmasters and returned with a collection of dramatic tales. As she is, however, something of a drama queen, I would think there was a mixture of truth and exaggeration in her account. So I wouldn't necessarily believe her entirely when she says (as she did) that a "bunch of chavs" stole their tent and some other boys offered them drugs in return for a bed for the night, but they said no and had to spend the entire night sitting in camping chairs, and then walked to somewhere which was, like, literally MILES from Newquay, or it must have been, because it meant walking up a hill, and hills are, like, really difficult, and mean you need to phone your mum at 3AM to complain.
SleepingStandingUp · 31/08/2021 21:11

One reason I'd never go to Leeds (similar Sunday night experience) and would deter anyone from sending younger teens. That and the drugs

Iwab82 · 31/08/2021 21:12

Yes, son said that. Has a great time but saw a bit of fighting. They all stayed up on last night and got earliest train home. He was in a large mixed group which I think probably helped them feel a bit sheltered from the roughness.

Inim · 31/08/2021 21:15

When I went ages ago, 2007/8 ish, a girl was passed out in a tent and some idiot were trying to drag the tent (with her inside!!!) into a fire- a group of us had to physically pull it away from them because they just weren’t listening that someone was inside the tent.
I had my tent with all my things inside burned too and got stuck and couldn’t get home! It was a nightmare

legoriakelne · 31/08/2021 21:16

Ugh, humans are awful.

TatianaBis · 31/08/2021 21:16

As she is, however, something of a drama queen, I would think there was a mixture of truth and exaggeration in her account. So I wouldn't necessarily believe her entirely when she says (as she did) that a "bunch of chavs" stole their tent and some other boys offered them drugs in return for a bed for the night, but they said no and had to spend the entire night sitting in camping chairs

Sounds highly likely ime. Do you generally accuse your DD of lying?

Thewiseoneincognito · 31/08/2021 21:16

Sorry but what type of parent allows any under 18 to go to a festival packed with alcohol and drugs? Talk about starting them off young, it actually baffles me how shoddy some people’s parenting skills are.

Haggisfish3 · 31/08/2021 21:18

In Scotland you can go to uni at 16 if you leave school at the end of fifth year! Loads of us went to festivals aged 16 or 17.

HippyChickMama · 31/08/2021 21:19

@GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin

Reading has always been like this on the Sunday night but I think it’s been even worse in the last decade or so as it’s turned into a post A-levels party and the attendees are almost all kids. In my day () there was a much better mix as it was a rock festival back then. 100,000 kids off the leash for the first time with unlimited alcohol and drugs is always a recipe for disaster.

The good news is that there’s lots of other festivals that are much nicer - I love festivals and the vast majority are happy lovely places. Maybe your daughter could have a look for some non-teen specific ones? Beautiful Days is one of my favourites and I heard Secret Garden Party is starting up again next year.

We went to Beautiful Days this year with our dc (8 and 14) and, aside from the toilets being a bit grim, it was great. The campsite was quiet at night, lots of families, everyone was really friendly. Very different target audience from Reading and Leeds though, the music is much less mainstream, but I'd highly recommend it as a safer festival experience
OnTheBoardwalk · 31/08/2021 21:20

HonoreDeBallsack your DD told you this and you think she’s a drama queen?

If you don’t believe her then there is no trust. If she’s lying then what else is going on in her life that she thinks this is normal?

MrsKeats · 31/08/2021 21:20

This is why my daughter doesn't want to do another festival.
Awful for your daughter op. Thank goodness she is ok.

squashyhat · 31/08/2021 21:21

Are any Mumsnetters are going to own up to being the parents of the kids who caused all this mayhem?

ImInStealthMode · 31/08/2021 21:21

This happened at Leeds years ago when some friends were there. They threw everything in their tents, unpegged them and carried them to the exit only to be told they couldn't leave until morning. Thankfully they insisted and were let out. All being over the drink drive limit they slept in their cars and made as early a getaway as possible. Sorry to hear your daughter had an equally bad time OP.

SleepingStandingUp · 31/08/2021 21:21

As she is, however, something of a drama queen, I would think there was a mixture of truth and exaggeration in her account. So I wouldn't necessarily believe her entirely when she says (as she did) that a "bunch of chavs" stole their tent and some other boys offered them drugs in return for a bed for the night, but they said no and had to spend the entire night sitting in camping chairs do you go to festivals yourself because as someone who has been to lots over the last 14 years or so, her story sounds incredibly plausible and I'd be grateful they had the good sense to not do anything stupid instead of calling her a liar

SleepingStandingUp · 31/08/2021 21:22

@squashyhat

Are any Mumsnetters are going to own up to being the parents of the kids who caused all this mayhem?
How many of them would even know??
herecomesthsun · 31/08/2021 21:22

We went to lots of festivals pre covid but never saw anything like this - but different festivals and with an older crowd. I guess we are the older crowd now.

SleepingStandingUp · 31/08/2021 21:23

@MrsKeats

This is why my daughter doesn't want to do another festival. Awful for your daughter op. Thank goodness she is ok.
What kind of music is she into cos this really isnt the situation at lots of smaller events. Of she likes rock tell her to look at Bloodstock or 2000 Treee
CookPassBabtridge · 31/08/2021 21:24

God it hasn't changed. I went to Leeds fest from 2001-2004 and it was the same! Some nutter set fire to all the portaloos.

TatianaBis · 31/08/2021 21:24

@Thewiseoneincognito

Sorry but what type of parent allows any under 18 to go to a festival packed with alcohol and drugs? Talk about starting them off young, it actually baffles me how shoddy some people’s parenting skills are.
Not really the drugs and alcohol that are the problem per se.

They're everywhere anyway. It's not like they only crop up at festivals.

TempleofZoom · 31/08/2021 21:24

@itsallabittiring

I wanted to ask about the experience people had on Sunday night in the campsites. My daughter, who is 18 and fairly streetwise, said it was absolutely terrifying as people were going round blowing tents up using aerosols. There was also a massive fight right next to them and then a stampede of people trampled over her tent. They seriously feared for their lives. Until then they had had quite a good time, although some men camping nearby had been threatening on and off so they felt a bit unsafe at times. Security guards were next to useless apparently and a few of them were apparently clearly on drugs and were asking people for 'Ket'. It literally sounded like the most unsafe place you could probably think of - they had to take it in turns to stay up and not sleep to try and stop themselves getting blown up. She said it felt so out of control and everyone was drugged up and didn't care. I would seriously think twice if you think your 16- 18 year old could cope with that. I know my daughter and her friends will never, ever go back. I think it is pretty appalling how scenes like that are allowed to happen. If your teen does insist on going maybe ensure they aren't there for Sunday night which is when it all really kicks off in a nasty way.
My eldest DS went when he was 18. He and his friends left early and came home. He said it was absolutely awful and he had never experienced anything like it.
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