Scared of going to BST Hyde Park

[Leftie99]

DH bought me tickets to Morgan Wallen at Hyde Park. Love Morgan and want to see him live but my anxiety is through the roof.

Had a bad crowd experience recently, where I was pulled out the crowd by a kind man. I thought I was going to get crushed. Then, our bus was being shaken by a huge drunken crowd, and we were police escorted to safety. I was terrified.

I'm scared of entering and leaving the event. Will the entrances be wide enough, will I get crushed, and so on... 🫣

Anxious thoughts galore.

Has anyone been before? Any tips for my anxiety, managing the crowds?

I seen 65k capacity and 550k tickets to be sold across entire event. Seen videos of the crowds that were daunting.

It’s fine, lots of gates in and huge gates to come out. Just stay near the food and there is room to sit-no crush worries.

There is no problem. You can’t take in any food or drink. Only empty water bottle which can be filled at tap. Stay at the back near the food or sit near the path by the big screen.

I’ve been three times (Taylor Swift, Adele, Rolling Stones) and you really have nothing to worry about. There’s a lot of people, yes, but there’s absolutely loads of space. Coming in you join a (in my experience very orderly!) queue to go through the entrance, didn’t feel crowded at all. Inside there’s loads of room, it gets concert-crowd busy right at the front by the stage, but if you stay a bit further back you still get a good view and you have enough room to set up a whole picnic blanket. The closest it came to feeling like a crowd was leaving as everyone is heading to one of two exits, but again loads of space and no narrow sections - I would’ve had room to hold my arms straight out to the sides the whole time (best way I can think to describe it!) You could also leave slightly before the end if you wanted to beat the crowds?

I went last year. Just don't push to the front. There's no problem whatsoever leaving through the gates. I hate crowds and I was perfectly fine.

There's SO much space at the Hyde Park gigs. People spread out picnic blankets a d chill out. If you're right up front it's busier obviously but anywhere else has plenty of space to avoid feeling anxious.

Videos of crowds always look more crowded than they really are. It's a big site. Stay near the back, plan your exit (ie do you want to stand towards the back near a gate and nip off before the last couple of songs, or do you want to let the crowd disperse first and then make a move?).

It's been a couple of years since I was at BST (more than that maybe thanks to Covid?) but it's a spaced-out site and well-marshalled. Take sunscreen though, there's next to no shade.

Oh this is reassuring. Thanks folk. Do you think I'd be better to stay near the gates for a prompt exit or to wait until crowds disperse before leaving?

Also @ConflictedCheetah I read on their website that they won't be allowing picnic blankets because of crowd flow. 😢 this made me worry in case they plan on packing it more this year!

@HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf thanks for suncream tip! I'll be bringing a cap and sunglasses too in that case 😎

Honestly, the place is massive! You won't be crammed together. Take a little perching stool if they're stopping the blankets, otherwise you'll get tired. Really, you can easily avoid the crowds by just moving back. It's very spacious.

I think they don't love people bringing loads of stuff. Slows down bag searches mostly. But honestly you'll be fine. You'll definitely be able to make space there. Please don't worry and have a brilliant time

It's a great event. DD and I have been to Adele, Take That and going to Stevie Nicks this year. It is super well organised and very chilled. Take a picnic blanket, stake out your spot. People start to stand as the main act comes on but it helps if you've got your own little 'zone'. Everyone has been really friendly and a lovely vibe when we've been.

Re leaving at the end, everyone just kind of moves in the same direction. The exit gates are wide and you just sort of follow the flow. There is no big mad crush. I mean it is busy, there are lots of people but generally just moving in one direction and mostly singing!