16
www.forgetoday.com // features@forgetoday.com
FORGE PRESS Friday October 7 2011
FEATURES
FESTIVAL
FEVER
As another season of summer festivals comes to a close, we ask whether festivals are getting too expensive and if they are still worth it Words: Hannah Roberts Pictures: Fay Kendall
I
t sounds strange, but for many students, summer just isn’t summer without at least one weekend smothered in mud, ears ringing, and indoor plumbing a distant memory. Festivals offer heady escapism with the music and people you love. But as the festival market grows cluttered, many festivals are failing to sell out, and ticket prices continue to rise. Is it really worth it? Most festival tickets leave you around £200 out of pocket, a massive price increase of 58% since 2006 – and that’s before you’ve even reached the festival. Once you get there, the temptations of hats shaped like monkey heads and worryingly pink burgers are likely to make you reach for your wallet again – particularly if your judgment has been impaired by warm beer at £4 a pint. However, the ticket price starts to sound more reasonable when you tot up the number of bands you are likely to see: anywhere from five to ten a day, depending how fast you’re prepared to run around site. Festivals are also a great way to catch headliners that you otherwise
might not get the chance to see – those who attended Glastonbury this year could see Coldplay, U2, Beyoncé and Radiohead at a price of £190, whilst seeing all four acts individually would cost more. Getting to the festival is another drain on the budget, but can be made cheaper by taking public transport. Coaches directly to the festival site are often provided, and according to The National Student website you can save up to 90% on train travel by booking in advance and using a 16-25 rail card. There are also ways to save whilst at a festival. If you’re a drinker, taking your own alcohol is a must – make sure you decant it into plastic bottles so that you follow safety regulations and don’t have your glass bottles confiscated. Festival food is also notoriously overpriced and of wildly varied quality, so it’s best to take at least some food with you. It’s a good idea to pack snacks such as crisps and cereal bars to give you that vital energy boost to see one more gig – and perhaps some fruit to ward off scurvy. It is possible to find cheap and even free festival food. If you ever go to Glastonbury, visit the Hare
“
It’s on the way out. We’ve probably got another three or four years Michael Eavis, Glastonbury Founder
”
Krishnas, who will serve food for free, but they appreciate a small donation. Of course, the cheapest way to experience a festival is to work for one. There are a wide variety of roles available, from stewarding to litter-picking, all of which offer a free ticket (some offer a wage on top). Lillie Chapman, a third year University of Sheffield English student, worked at Glastonbury Festival and the Thames Festival this summer, and says the job is “ideal for students, with a very nice wage packet”. Although working obviously means you won’t be able to see all the bands you’d like, Lillie explains, “With a festival like Glastonbury I don’t feel like I’m losing out on too much – it’s a 24 hour festival! There’s plenty to do and see all the time.” As well as being a great moneysaver, she says the job is good fun. “The work environment isn’t typical – you are working with relaxed and like-minded people.” Despite the various moneysaving options, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis sees a bleak future ahead for his festival. He told The Times, “It’s on t h e