To worry about PFB going to Reading

[KingscoteStaff]

DS is planning to go to Reading Festival after GCSE results day. He would be going with 5 friends and would know quite a few other people there too.

He has never been to a festival. He has never been to a pop concert! He has slept in a tent once, at PGL in Year 6.

Now I was feeling very positive about this new experience but over the last fortnight it seems that everyone I talk to has a Reading Horror Story. Apparently:

1. He will drink far too much, vomit in his sleep and asphyxiate.
2. He will take drugs for the first time and become instantly addicted.
3. While drunk/high he will have a terrible, life-changing accident.
4. While drunk/high he will forget to take his asthma medication and have an attack.
5. Unknown scary people will set his tent on fire.
6. Unknown scary people will attack him and steal his money/phone.

Does anyone have any slightly less horrific Reading experiences and (even more helpfully) some Top Tips for successful 16 year old festivalling?

There are also restrictions on the amount of alcohol taken into campsite and fire restrictions also. The last night tent burning has been dealt with, haven't seen it in recent years.

The loos in Reading are fine by festival standards. They are cleaned and unblocked daily. Take your own loo roll though.

Yeah I didn’t think the tent burning was as much of a thing now. Now that festivals are more mainstream they tend to be much better at health and safety!

My Dd and friends cane back unscathed when they went aged 16/17

My daughter went last year. Came back filthy, skint, hungover, knackered, a stone lighter with a fungal skin infection all over her body and glandular fever. That shopping list is apparently the mark of an epic weekend so she’s going again this year.

And there was very definitely the obligatory tent burning on the last night/morning but they were put out quite quickly.

I went to Reading when it was still Reading Rock, the loos weren't to bad but we didn't want to wash or clean our teeth in them, we went to Sainsbury's or a restaurant for that😂.

I went to Reading when it was still Reading Rock

Ah... them were the days

I went to my first Reading at 16 it was awesome. He'll come back dirty, hungover and will sleep for a full day (or go to Notting hill carnival which is what we did on the Monday) it's a fantastic experience. I saw some Marilyn Manson fans take over a burger stall, it was brief they threw buns around, security told them off and sent them back to their tents. The loos are worse for girls, you have to have strong thigh muscles for squatting, you don't want to sit on those seats, I've seen much much worse thigh. We walked into town every morning for a bacon roll, use of a pub toilet and somewhere to brush teeth. Baby wipes are useful.

IME people set their own tents on fire on the last morning because they can't be bothered to pack them up and take them home, rather than attacking randomised. The first three times I sent with a big group and was the only girl (others backed out) I never felt unsafe. When I was at uni I joined workers beer, worked four hours behind the bar a day in return for a free ticket, secure camping, drinks tokens and food, even got to work the backstage bar and was always done by early afternoon, you have to be over 18 for that though.

Reading is a total dive but they all go around here when they pick their GCSE results up.

All my DCs have done it, they all da it's full of 16yos puking and falling over, but they all went twice so can't be that bad.

One thing to say is that they all told me that drugs are offered every few steps, and that it's cheaper to take ket than to buy a few drinks. Luckily mine didn't but lots and lots and lots of the kids there do. So please have the talk about why not to, especially after the deaths at last weekend's festival.

Having said that, he'll have a ball!

Reading seems to be a rite of passage for post GCSE students in our part of the world. Both my DDs did it with their mates and lived to tell the tale. Mind you, they are both quite risk averse and sensible.

One thing that impressed me was that when they went to use the loos/buy snacks at the nearest Waitrose, the supermarket had free fruit and bottles of water for festival goers. A hairdressers was also offering discounted wash and blow drys. The town seems very geared up for it.

Thanks all - I feel much more informed!

So, rucksack it is.

What kind of tent for 2 large rugby playing boys? A proper guy rope and pegs one or one of those pop up things from Decathlon?

They provide NO tap water to drink in tne arena area (to preserve profits

That's not true. There are taps to refill your bottles. Admittedly not very many and the queues are long, especially on warm days, but they are there.

He's never been to a gig? Really? I'm a bit amazed by that (and yes I know not everyone is the same etc etc, I'm just surprised.)

Also OP nobody says "pop concert" any more

He'll be fine OP. My DD went last year and I think it's pretty much set up for just this kind of festival goer

Reiterate. Over and over and over again that he shouldn’t hesitate to call you if the shit hits the fan for some reasons. Promise him that no matter what happens, you would not get mad at him. You would just come and collect him.

Wow it makes me realise my social anxiety suffering 16 year old is so different from most 16 year olds. She's never drunk (alcoholic dad) and her and her friends are going to dim sum and the cinema on results day 😂

Don’t be silly Boop, you’ll be telling me no one says Popular Beat Combo next.

Both my brother and I went as teenagers (on seperate occasions). Nothing remotely bad happened. Although I drank warm Strongbow and it put me off cider for life - no bad thing.

OP another heads up. It's "club" now, not "disco"

I was thoroughly searched at reading on my way in to the camp and also every time I entered the arena. There was also security trawling the campsites checking for signs of drugs. However, if your son wants to do drugs then he will do them, festival or no festival. At least at Reading there will be clearly marked 24/7 first aid available, with specialist training about drugs.

Your dd sounds similar to mine savage. She doesn’t drink none of her friends do. Thank god we live miles from Reading

Lots of good advice. I worked at Reading for a few years, and this is the lost O sent to a family friend who's going as a volunteer this year :

Always have filters, skins and a lighter, even if you don’t smoke. Cost is minimal, benefits are awesome.
Buy the cheapest tea bags you can find and stuff your boots with them at night. They absorb moisture and smell.
Toddler wipes are cheaper than body wipes.
Hand wipes are easier to carry than loo roll and do the job better.
Ask people who’ve been served how the food is before buying.
Roll up water bottle takes no space – you need more than you think (water and space). You’ll drink more water if you add squash so it has flavour.
Keep your guy lines short and tight or you’ll get tripped on in the night.
Bring any prescription medication in its packaging.
Blanket under your roll mat makes a massive difference to warmth and sleep; it’s colder on an air mattress or camp bed.
If it’s hot, cans under the groundsheet of your porch.
Electrical tape. If you have it, you’ll use it.
Ear plugs, for the arena and to sleep.
Mallet, and spare pegs. Instant hero status. Later in the week, aftersun lotion. On the last day, if you can fold down a pop up tent you are legend.
Buy a cheap duvet cover to use as a sleeping bag liner.
Buy a disposable camera to take pictures without using up your phone battery and get the reward of finding out what pictures you took when you get them printed old school style.
Always queue on the left for toilets. Equally, wristband goes on non-dominant hand.
If you like the band shirt, buy it before it sells out.
You don’t need a torch most of the time, and head torches blind other people with glare; dip your headlights when you’re walking or talking with others.
Always have a torch. And back up batteries.
Smile at security. They look after you.

They’ll need at least a 4 man tent for 2 lads plus their stuff. I would avoid pop up as they are usually single skinned and they’ll wake up damp with condensation drips in the morning. They’ll need a roll mat to sleep on you can get some decent ones. Roll up jumper for a pillow.

I went at 16 after GCSEs for the day .. by train. My parents wouldn't let me camp. Plus it's mega expensive. I think you have to go with an over 18 if you are under. I was with older friends so can't remember if they check ID ?

Having been to Glastonbury it's quite tame and small in a way. Very commercial but I had a great time

Don't camp near the dance stage /tent was always the festival advice. Don't pitch too close to the stages .. further away less trouble.

Nope, 16 year olds can go unaccompanied.

I lived in Reading for a while and there was always a good atmosphere at festival time. Waitose even does a shuttle service to takke festival goers to and from the site. The salvation army has a pitch on site to help youngsters who have over indulged. Central swimming pool is a 20 minute walk away if you want a shower.