Further Reading
When the great British summer descends upon our shores, the one thing you can be sure of amidst the uncertainty of the weather and the instability airlines is the home-grown event of the Festival: that, at least, you know you can count on. Happening in a huge variety of fields and venues around all sorts of nooks and crannies of the British isles, the festival is the true mainstay and centrepiece of the summer in Britain.
More than that, it is certainly the highlight of the year for most musos and fans, and the festival event attracts music-lovers in their thousands to throng to the sounds of their favourite bands, songwriters and DJ’s as they weave the perfect musical soundtrack to the summer day, come rain, shine, or whatever the weather brings. For many people the summer festival of their choice will certainly be the biggest party of the year. This is no understatement: some of these things are incredible and huge, and you are sure to have an awesome time with your friends as well as complete strangers. This is all down to the wonderful festival atmosphere created from bringing so many different types of people together with shared interests: a space is created outside the usual social boundaries, and the resultant parties are nothing less than out of this world.
For festivals are much more than just a musical showcase, a collection of gigs strung randomly together. No, something happens in the festival space with an almost magical quality, as all the bands blend into one big carnival-esque celebration of music that permeates the stages, the campsite, and even the surrounding fields. At a festival you can experience all different genres of music as the sound waves collide between the different stages. Where else can you take in a spot of acoustic jazz for breakfast, head to catch some afternoon punk while keeping out the rain, before cracking down on the main stage in the evening to see the world’s biggest bands rock out in the open air? This is why music festivals are so singularly amazing: their eclecticism is unsurpassed, and their quality is almost always incredibly high.
Indeed, there is much more to festivals than just music. At almost all of Britain's major (and minor) musical weekend extravaganzas you will be able to find a range of other forms of entertainment and indulgence to really round off the experience. Why not engage in a spot of shopping? Festivals are hotspots for handmade goodies such as shirts, jumpers and of course the huge rage of festival hats that are always on display, ranging from the quotidian to the very strange indeed. So once you've partied till the life has almost left you, head down to the interesting and varied market at the centre of the festival to indulge in some much needed retail therapy. Be careful you don't get too carried away, though: your backpack is only so large!
Not only this, but festivals are also well known for their range of culinary choices. As it's your special weekend away why not treat yourself and enjoy some of the fantastic range of food on offer, stretching from staple items such as the Aberdeen Angus burger, to some more exotic meals such as Thai and Indian. One thing is certain: the energy will be necessary for the rest of the long night, so you won't feel so bad about allowing yourself the tasty indulgence of a simply fantastic meal. Food aside, it is a well documented fact that beer tastes better at festivals, usually kept far more cold than is possible in pub cellars.
There are a wide number of celebratory events to choose from: which one will you use to top off your list of summer treats? Whatever background of life you come from, their will surely be a festival where you will fit right in. Here at boxoffice.co.uk we stock tickets to anything you could ask for, so whether you’re a hippy, a mosher, a raver or a mother, we can find a space where you will feel relaxed, comfortable and musically fulfilled.
Those more inclined for heavy music should check out the likes of Ozzfest and Download'. Here you will find a community of like-minded people waiting to welcome you with open arms, complete with all the high-jinks and rock and roll antics that go with the genre. Remember to pack your hoodie, nail polish and face paint and be prepared to spend the weekend rocking out to the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, Slayer and Slipknot.
Those in favour for a full on city sized party should perhaps head to the gigantic and legendary festivals of Reading, Leeds, Glastonbury and T in the Park. These are parties of a titanic proportion, and the campsite itself usually resembles something like a small town. At these festivals you will meet people from across the whole of society, the only linking factor being that everyone is always up for a good time. So get plenty of pep in you and prepare to go crazy for the likes of The Prodigy, Razorlight, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Franz Ferdinand.
Or if you fancy something slightly different from the usual format, why not check out boxoffice.co.uk's wide selection of alternative festival events? We stock tickets to such amazing and one-off occasions as the exceptional Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the wonderfully chilled out English Heritage Summer Picnic Concert or the alternatively minded Secret Garden Party. All of these events are wonderfully distinctive and unique in their own special and particular way: each is well worth a look in as they house some of the most incredible performances currently on offer.
Boxoffice.co.uk is an excellent resource for helping you map out your much needed summer of music. Have a browse through our specialised festival section for ideas on which event would be best for you, and then all that's left is to go out and enjoy yourself at it!
