Reading For Beginners

As I said in my blog about Reading before the festival, many people have told me that festivals aren't just about the music, but the atmosphere. I disagree. For me, for someone who has never been to a concert or festival, the music was the most important bit. I don't think in the future I'll go to festivals that doesn't have bands I enjoy.

Saying that, I am so glad I went to Reading this year. It was an amazing experience, so here is everything a first-time-goer may need to know about Reading. 

Bring Only Essentials.

I tried and not bring much stuff, I only brought a few tops, shorts, 2 pairs of jeans, a hoodie, and my tent, and I was carrying a crate of cider. I was still dying. My back and shoulders ached for 2 days. Try and pack light, and a trolley or some kind of bag on wheels is better than carrying a massive backpack. 

Keep Hydrated and Eat

This year was very hot, especially on the Sunday. In these weather conditions it is essential to keep drinking water throughout the day. In the Arena there are water fountains where guests can fill their water bottle up for free. Make sure to eat food as well, I would suggest going to Tesco that's near the site after setting everything up rather than bringing everything with you in one trip. The Arena is hot, and crowded, you do not want to pass out in the middle of a crowd where you won't be able to get help easily. Make sure to eat and keep hydrated to not pass out. 

Make Sure You Know Where Help Is

Anything can happen, anywhere. Festivals have thousands of people coming each year. In case anything does happen to you or a friend, make sure you know who to ask for help or where to go. Security guards are great at Reading, and will help anyone who needs it. Reading is honestly great with helping their guests. 

Sunscreen. 

Make sure you or a friend has sunscreen with them. My skin doesn't usually burn too easily, but a lot of my friends have pasty white skin and were therefore trying to get as much sunscreen on them as they could. Even if it's cloudy, make sure to put a little bit of sunscreen on the places you burn most. You don't want to ruin your weekend by not being able to move!

Stay Together

It is very difficult to stay together as a group, especially when people want to see different bands and they clash together. Make sure you see your bands, but also make sure that you're not alone. As much as Reading Festival try to be a safe environment for everyone, there are still dumbasses around. Make sure no one is ever alone and you all meet up together. 

You Won't Get Much Sleep

As much as my friends didn't get a lot of sleep, I think I missed out on half the fun because I was having naps every day, and the latest I went to sleep was on the Saturday after the Silent Disco.(More on the Silent Disco Later) I think the reason I got so much sleep, is because I wouldn't have been able to function otherwise. If you're like me, you'll probably miss some of the fun because of sleeping, but if you're like my friends, try and sleep as much as you can before the festival. 

Enjoy Yourself. 

Surround yourself with friends you know you can stand for a whole weekend. My weekend was made especially great because I knew I could trust my friends, and if anything happened they would all look after me. I had the best time because of the people I was with(Shoutout to Kristy, Megan, Chloe, Jimmy, Luke, Edwin, Harry, Ash, and Clive). Don't be worried about how you're dancing, how you're singing, or how you look. It's a festival, and the beauty of it is, everyone is crazy and no one has showered in a while so everyone smells and no one cares. 

This is all for my blog on Reading for Beginners. Tickets are now on sale for Reading 2018! There will be more blogs to come on how I met my celebrity crush, how I very quickly interviewed Lany, and my whole experience of Reading. Subscribe to get updated on new blogs!

Written by Steph Adams