I love festivals. Since my first V Festival at the age of 15 I’ve made sure I’ve gone to at least one every year. Without them my summers would just feel empty.
But it seems fewer and fewer people are sharing my point of view. Ticket sales are at an all-time low. Even though there's no Glastonbury this year, the Big Chill, a massive festival, has been dropped. Vintage festival has been merged into the Wilderness festival. Hop Farm ended up giving away free tickets (no bad thing, in hindsight). It looks like people are foregoing a weekend dancing in a muddy field for the comfort of their sofas. And the fact that this summer has been a washout hasn't helped.
But here's ten reasons why you shouldn't abandon the festival just yet…
1. Festival coverage on TV is rubbish.
The problem with watching a festival on TV, apart from your dad shouting about how everybody can't sing, is that the highlights are usually really poor and centred around the headliners. You rarely get to see the smaller bands you might catch by wandering into a random tent, which could be the next big thing in a couple of years.
2. The exhilaration of live music can't be beaten.
Sure, if you're watching it on a telly screen you aren't getting covered in beer and you don't have some girl on somebody's shoulders getting in the way. But the feeling of being part of 50,000 people in a field, singing along to every word of a generation-defining band's hits, is a simply incredible experience.
3. Even though they're getting expensive they're still value for money.
I'm not alone in thinking that festivals are becoming more and more outrageously expensive. But all live music is expensive, it's called inflation. If you wanted to see Rihanna live now it's around £70 - you may as well pay £100 more to see her plus loads of other massive artists - and you get a holiday too.
4. The mud teaches you to appreciate what you have.
I've had a couple of grim experiences. Watching my tent slowly fill up with water at Latitude and being powerless to stop it. Being trapped in a tent at Glastonbury because of heavy rain and mudslides. But dealing with muddy conditions truly made me appreciate my bed in my tiny London box flat. And you'll laugh about it later.
5. There's health benefits.
Before you laugh at me, festivals are good for you. It's scientifically proven. Live music can release 'happy hormones' which relieve stress and walking back and forward between the tent and arena burns a lot of calories, giving your legs a proper workout. Just don't overdo it on the booze!
6. You can look completely daft and it's fine.
Festivals are one of the few places where it's acceptable to wear glitter, face paint, lashes and ridiculous hairbands, all at once. Everybody needs to embrace their inner Lady Gaga at some point in life, even if you're rocking a poncho at the same time.
7. Z-list Celebrity spotting.
It's rare that you'll get a chance to befriend somebody out of Hollyoaks, but my sister actually managed this at Leeds Festival 2007. You can play a pretty fun game spotting minor celebs, and it's usually a good point of conversation while waiting for bands to start.
8. The parties are great.
One of the best things is that the fun continues long after the headliner has come off-stage. Most festivals have dance tents where you can check out top DJs. There's usually something for everyone, from cabaret nights to silent discos. Plus, since they're in a big marquee you'll be keeping dry as a bonus.
9. Waking up in nature.
It's good to get away from the 9-5 city grind and see some greenery. Even if it's muddy, it's rare that city-dwellers see nature. Also, what I've discovered is waking up in the fresh air completely kills off a hangover. Which is a winner when you start drinking cider at 10am.
10. It's all about the memories.
Some of the best friendship building experiences I've ever had have been at festivals. Chilling with your best friends, the bands you love and a bag of wine bonding over how wet, cold and muddy it is creates the best memories. You won't get that watching by yourself at home.
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Ten reasons why festivals are great (even when it rains)
By Natasha Wynarczyk - Monday 16 July 2012
Natasha Wynarczyk
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