Festival season is well and truly upon us, meaning it’s that time of the year where plans are made, wellies are donned and too much fun is had.
Most seasoned festival-goers know the drill by this point: you will lose phone battery at one point and spend hours looking for familiar faces among the crowds. You will buy and then drop a noodle-based dish. You will miss at least one of the three bands you said you were bought the tickets to see.
Yet summer also sees many going to their first ever festival. With fests like Parklife and Download taking place over the weekend, many took to Twitter to report back on their first experiences. It’s a whole new world of opportunity and their discoveries will make you feel very nostalgic about your early and formative festivals.
Parklife was my first ever festival and my god it was amazin
— Ellie Potts (@elliepotts_) June 11, 2018
First ever festival I’ve been to and so glad I went to download was the best time ever. Meet some unreal people and made friends for life same again next year. Thanks @DownloadFest
— RichTheVikingOnTheMic (@RichTheVikingO1) June 11, 2018
Finally lost my Festival Virginity this weekend ? Parklife was mad ?
— Lottie (@AverageLolly) June 11, 2018
Some were starting very young:
@TheEdenFestival first time to Eden for me and first time to a festival & camping for my 4 year old – what a phenomenal experience for us both it was. Great company, music, super friendly festival goers and staff, can’t wait til next year now! pic.twitter.com/KRHnE0ltqh
— cat (@ShetlandCat) June 12, 2018
My 4 year old son got to join me on a festival stage for the first time ever on Sat, He keeps asking “Dad I want to come work with you” Well we did it son and I saw your soul through that gorgeous smile.
(My wife & Henry) I Love You ❤️? pic.twitter.com/zHDTxeIaj5— MC-KIE Garage Legend (@1MC_KIE) June 11, 2018
It wasn’t just the youngsters, though. There were some vintage first-timers too:
I'm 64 years old and went to my first festival and I'm so glad that I picked Download. Bands were fantastic, people brilliant. Wish I had done it sooner. ?
— Alan Groome (@AlanGroome3) June 12, 2018
And can we also spare a thought for the parents sending their kids off to their first festivals?
My Eldest going to his first Festival @Parklifefest , tomorrow ?, just given my words of “advice”. I may have gone slightly over the top….Any questions? “Can I breath?” Answer “ Only if it’s safe to do so” Tomorrow will probably be a very long day….??
— Cheryl (@cjones_Cheryl) June 9, 2018
Nothing has made me feel older than waving my first born off for a weekend music festival. Except when I said, “Be cool.” ??
— Lucy Race (@Racey19) May 4, 2018
Festivals can be a great place to be, and sometimes things go entirely to plan…
This is how I felt all weekend at my first camping music festival ☺️?✨ pic.twitter.com/nVGLhoZwtp
— hailz (@holyhailzz) June 4, 2018
my first festival was prob hands down the best thing to experience.. ?
— Ashley ? (@ashleymsalinas) June 11, 2018
Sometimes, though, they go downhill:
https://twitter.com/hollieshawx/status/1005957281610125314
There are a few things that novices need to know before they go – like when it comes to putting up your tent, do think before you pitch:
Just seen a girl on her first festival trip snap chatting how good her tent location is, right next to the toilets, give it 5 days and she will have learnt her lesson for next time xx
— Lidia Hagues? (@lidiaxanna) June 6, 2018
Also, always pack more clothes than you think you’ll need. You’ll definitely be wanting that spare jumper when the headliners take to the stage.
ok first festival this weekend. i have no clothes. not prepared. only 11+ pairs of plaid pants.
— danny devito (@jordanrodrgs) June 12, 2018
And definitely don’t forget the sun cream:
@DownloadFest UNBELIEVABLE?? What a first festival experience- back home (far too soon tho imo), burnt as hell, but very content. See you next year!! ?
— Eddie GL Dewey ??????????? (@DeweyE96) June 11, 2018
Honestly, sometimes festivals can feel more like an endurance test:
Surprisingly not too sore from my first full festival experience. Festivals are good workouts tbh
— Nancy Danh Huynh ? (@nancydhuynh) June 11, 2018
Mostly though, festivals are a great place for encountering like-minded companions:
Some firsts yesterday:
First festival. First mosh pit. First time headbanging with friends who also headbang ?— Jasmine ☉ (@jasmine_lexa) June 9, 2018
And experiencing music like you never have before:
So, @riseagainst I've never cried during a show before but hearing savior live for the FIRST time at my FIRST festival made me cry.
That song runs deep, ever since I heard it on Guitar Hero.
Much love, and thanks xo
— ?? look what happened to the cook!!! (@Squisheedoe) June 10, 2018
But if you end up in the pit or stage-diving, do take care of yourselves and others.
So, I had my first experience in the medical tent at a festival this year. Crowd surfed to Avenged and ended up getting dropped on my head and got knocked out, it amazes me how metal I am
— Dyl (@SirrellDylan) June 12, 2018
Another thing to remember is that no matter the time of day, the dance tent will always be going strong:
Two things to say after my first festival:
1) idk why people shit on EDM so much. the most amazing vibes and every single person I met was beyond nice. Did not meet one bad soul. Can’t get that at many other concerts
2) how have I never gone to a festival before last night
— Jesse ?? nghtmre (@JesseMerrill8) June 11, 2018
And you’ll need some time to recover afterwards:
Taking the day off after a festival is just preventing the inevitable,
But for the next 12 hours, ignorance is bliss.
— Birthdayy Partyy ? (@BirthdayyPartyy) June 12, 2018
All this first festival talk made some feel rather old:
Depressing reading tweets about parklife, thinking I went to the first parklife festival in like 2010 and felt old then ???♂️
— Chris Ford (@ChrisFord1983) June 10, 2018
But whether it’s your first festival, your second or 1,033rd – here’s to your next one. This guy is definitely excited:
thirsty for the next festival lol
— net30noire ?? (@GregNoire) June 9, 2018