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Original poster

Nearly 18yo DD going to Leeds Festival on Friday…

29 replies

newnamenellie · 19/08/2023 16:49

Any advice please? She’s only going for the day and will be in a group with three friends, all girls. I’ve just been reading some of the horror stories about the festival and I’m a bit worried now!

She’s mature and very sensible but also completely inexperienced in this sort of environment. We live about a half hour drive from the festival site, so intending to pick her up at the end, but the things I’m reading are making me question the safety of it. There’s no way I’d stop her going but I think my nerves will be in shreds…

OP posts:
Gnittensmum · 19/08/2023 16:53

My 17 year old went to Boardmasters for 3 nights with friends recently. We live 3 hours away. I was on high alert but wasn’t anxious. What is it you’re so worried about? They came back fine, but with covid 😂

Original poster
newnamenellie · 19/08/2023 16:58

Hi @Gnittensmum. Thanks for your reply. I’m glad your DC had a good time 😊.

I’m worried because Leeds festival seems to have an awful reputation which I’ve only just learned about after doing a bit of casual googling re logistics etc…

There are lots of threads on here about it from previous years, wish I’d done more research to start with.

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 19/08/2023 17:00

I have been to Leeds twice. One time when I was 22 in 2003 and also in 2010. I'm not sure how much has changed but apart from a few people setting stuff on fire it was fine.

Hbh17 · 19/08/2023 17:01

Stop Googling. She's 17 and in a group - she'll be absolutely fine.

RosaBaby2 · 19/08/2023 17:01

I've been to Leeds for the day it was absolutely fine. Not the same as getting involved in all the campsite malarkey, that's what I would worry about. She will be grand!

Original poster
newnamenellie · 19/08/2023 17:03

Hi @teaandtoastwithmarmite. I’m not too worried about the fire setting as she’s not camping but there were stories of girls being spiked with needles last year, not even a case of keeping an eye on your drink. It just sounds very badly organised and mainly full of 16/17 year olds with a taste of freedom

OP posts:
Original poster
newnamenellie · 19/08/2023 17:04

Okay, thanks @Hbh17 and @RosaBaby2 hopefully you’re right about non camping side of things!

OP posts:
Theraffarian · 19/08/2023 17:09

My daughter went to Leeds at that age , but camped through . Definitely camping was fairly grim , they were in a big group , mixed, all sensible . Oddly ( or not ! ) not a single one wanted to return and do it again . I’d say it really is a very young scene and the more mature teenagers don’t tend to return . Day ticket , she’s far more likely to be fine , just tell her to try and duck the flying bottles , honestly don’t understand why but it has the worst reputation for the lads weeing in plastic water bottles and throwing them open across the crowds .

Weegieunicorn · 19/08/2023 17:44

My 17 year old DD went to magaluf for a week so a festival would be a piece of cake.

Meceme · 19/08/2023 18:01

We took my daughter and a friend at 16. We all went together then seperated and met up at pre arranged times/places to eat. It was fine.
She went with a friend for the day at 17, then they camped at 18.
All fine and quite well organised.
She didn't bother after that.
I think she'd outgrown it although she still goes to lots of other gigs and festivals. She's decided she'd prefer to book a nearby Travelodge rather than camp out now she's in her 20s.

Clymene · 19/08/2023 18:04

You're collecting her, she's only going for the day, she'll be fine.

Original poster
newnamenellie · 19/08/2023 18:11

Thanks all - you’ve calmed me down, think I just panicked when I read the horror stories and then felt bad for not having looked into it until a week beforehand 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m sure she’ll have a great time. Oh to be 17 again (actually maybe not 😆).

OP posts:
SingingSands · 19/08/2023 18:14

I live in Leeds - it's a rite of passage for youngsters after GCSE and A-Levels. The entire festival is like a giant drunken school trip.

DD is home from Uni this summer and has declared herself "too old" at 19. She has been twice, camped both times for the full Weds-Sun experience.

You get dickheads at every festival. If she's a sensible girl, not taken to to want to experiment, then I expect she'll have a long tiring day and be grateful for the lift home at the end of the night.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 19/08/2023 18:42

newnamenellie · 19/08/2023 17:03

Hi @teaandtoastwithmarmite. I’m not too worried about the fire setting as she’s not camping but there were stories of girls being spiked with needles last year, not even a case of keeping an eye on your drink. It just sounds very badly organised and mainly full of 16/17 year olds with a taste of freedom

Oh gosh that's awful actually. I totally agree why you would worry. I worry enough and my dd is only 10 but I'll be beside myself when she's starting to do things like this. I'm sure she will be fine though

HerNameIsIncontinentiaButtocks · 19/08/2023 18:52

Having been to both Reading and Leeds several times on different years, Reading was way worse for shitty behaviour. Never bumped into anything bad going on at Leeds, but pissbottles and aggravated moshing was always happening in Reading.

V was much worse than either, and an even younger crowd - 15 average, it seemed like. Never again.

CeriB82 · 19/08/2023 18:54

my then 17 yr old went. And hated it! Stank of weed and dirty. Went for 2 nights but stayed in travelidge

glad i let her go! She will be fine!

Lantyslee · 19/08/2023 19:06

My 17 year old DD went for five days (Weds to Mon) last year with a group of M and F friends, avoided any trouble and enjoyed it enough to be going again this year. She took all her food as she was on shoestring budget and came back very proud that she'd spent a total of £10! I'm quite sure your daughter will be absolutely fine going for a day.

I didn't google last year and won't be this year.

CebelloRojo · 19/08/2023 20:59

Can anyone help me understand how easy it is to drive to the site to pick upon Friday night? DD is going with a gangs d we’re only an hour away. Trying to figure out if it’s going to be a nightmare or doable.

floribunda18 · 19/08/2023 21:03

DD1 went to Reading, and camped, when she was 16. She was absolutely fine apart from coming back with 'flu, which seems standard!

legosunqueen · 21/08/2023 17:02

DS aged 17 went last year & is going back this year...says he'll be too old to go next year so I gather there are a lot of teens! It's a rite of passage for local kids post GCSE & lots of his year group from school are going. It's hard not to worry but there are Festival Angels who will help anyone in trouble. Worth being aware it's cashless this year.

Tealfish · 23/08/2023 15:23

Lantyslee · 19/08/2023 19:06

My 17 year old DD went for five days (Weds to Mon) last year with a group of M and F friends, avoided any trouble and enjoyed it enough to be going again this year. She took all her food as she was on shoestring budget and came back very proud that she'd spent a total of £10! I'm quite sure your daughter will be absolutely fine going for a day.

I didn't google last year and won't be this year.

What food did she take with her? My DC has just bought a last minute ticket and say they don't want to spend much ££ there so wondering what they can take to last 4 nights 🤔

IrisBearded · 23/08/2023 15:50

My DD has just left, only had room for a few biscuits/mints/chocolate/pot noodles.

I had a look online at the Leeds Festival Facebook group and quite useful info on there. The festival angels tent do an refillable mug of tea/coffee/hot chocolate and hot water for the pot noodles for £7 for the weekend

The salvation army have a cheap meal can, soup and bread for £1.50.

Lantyslee · 23/08/2023 16:11

@Tealfish I didn't make a close inspection before she set off but I think mainly instant noodle and porridge pots and cereal bars with a few clementines to keep scurvy away. She's got a camping stove for boiling water.

legosunqueen · 23/08/2023 16:56

@Tealfish DS took mainly carbs (brioche, tortilla wraps, brunch bars) - I will be greeting him with broccoli when he returns. There's a co-op on-site but I gather it's pricey...you can do click & collect too. Sally Army meal deal sounds good!

Bunnyannesummers · 23/08/2023 16:58

Make sure she takes a refillable water bottle, tissues, hand sanitizer and some plasters and she’ll be fine. Also a portable charger and you have a set meeting point - might be easier for her to shuttle bus back into the city centre and be collected from there

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