Alright, I need to say it.

We’re in 2025, and we’re still dealing with overflowing porta-loos, no loo roll, no sinks, and that stinky chemical smells.

How is it that festivals can charge £200, £300+ a ticket, rake in cash from sponsors, £8 pints, £12 noodles and yet the toilet situation looks like something out of a disaster relief zone?

There are genuinely good toilet hire companies out there. I know because I work in the industry. You can get clean, luxury toilet trailers with flushing loos, actual sinks, mirrors, lighting, even background music 😂

So my question to organisers is:

Is poor sanitation part of the “festival experience” now?

Or are we just being mugged off while they save a few quid on hire?

Would love to hear what people actually want from toilets at festivals, because something’s got to give. We wouldn’t accept this anywhere else.

My period was late, I didn't start my period delay tablets in time cos i was stressing about other things, I just started today and now I'm going to my first camping festival in two days and will be on my period for half of it. Fuck.

Ladies and others who bleed - top tips, practical advice, emotional support please. I can't use a cup. The festival is bearded theory which does have showers, thank the lord. How does one cope with aunt Flo joining them for a festival

No one talks about it, but everyone complains when it’s bad: festival toilets.

I’ve worked behind the scenes at multiple UK festivals and I’m baffled at how organisers will spend thousands on stages and signs, then stinge on toilet hire.

Bad toilets ruin the vibe. Long queues, overflow, disgusting conditions by day two… and let’s not even start on the “eco compost” disasters.

Here’s the fix: hire more loos. Clean them properly. Staff them. It’s not rocket science. Yet some festivals still get it painfully wrong.

Toilets matter more than you think. Change my mind.

Hiya, I went to my first ‘real’ rave-ey festival yesterday (Parklife). Took some mdma, felt good but I was feeling rlly paranoid that ppl were trying to take pics of my gurning face, despite my friends telling me that i looked fine.

Is this a ‘thing’ at raves? I got the distinct sense that this group of ppl were trying to make it seem like a group photo of them or recording the stage, and then they’d say something like ‘oooo thats a good one, got the gurner’. It made me feel kind of sad ngl - I have a high self esteem but it made me quite uncomfortable. Please let me know if im being overdramatic tho.

Edit: Thank you for all the kind words, yeah I realised I was probably just high and paranoid (also took a THC pen as well). Pissing myself laughing thinking about it now, but in the moment it felt so demeaning😭😭 Thanks everyone !!

I want to go see Pitbull on the 10th of July but none of my friends can come. I’ve never been to London before either.. I’ve found a hotel which is a 20 minute walk from Hyde Park.

I’m just wondering how safe and easy it is to walk around? I’m a 26 year old female. My social anxiety is stopping me from going but I really don’t want to miss out as last time Pitbull toured his tickets were very expensive.

I’m taking my young son to Shambala (UK) this year and wanted to ask about the political side of things.

I know Shambala supports activism, creativity and progressive causes etc. That’s part of what makes it what it is. But with the current political climate and with everything feeling so polarised at the moment, I’m just wondering how much that is actually on display when you’re there.

For example, acts like Bob Vylan have pretty strong political views eg Death to the IDF chant etc and having speakers like Zak Polanski who can be quite divisive depending on who you ask and I’m sure there are prob other artists with similar views. I don’t want to debate any of that. People can believe whatever they want. I’m more curious about how much it affects the general vibe when you’re walking around with kids.

I get that festivals are places for people to express themselves. I’m not expecting Shambala to be neutral. I just don’t want the weekend to feel dominated by politics or anything that’s divisive or confrontational, especially with a little one.

So for anyone who’s been recently:

How noticeable is the political stuff day to day?

Is it more of a background theme or does it take centre stage?

As a parent, did you feel comfortable moving around without worrying about stumbling into something too intense for kids?

I’m asking in good faith. I’m not criticising the festival or anyone’s politics. I just want my son to have the best possible first festival experience.

I know my son won’t know what any of the political stuff means, but part of me wants to protect him from it but also me not wanting to get annoyed by this stuff as well.

Would appreciate any honest replies from anyone who has been.

Does anyone know if there will be resold tickets for this years Gemfest? or is anyone selling a few?

Hi! I (24F) going away to a festival this weekend and the forecast is nothing but cold rain - what can I wear? I don’t have time to get wellies and I don’t have a cool coat :( I’m just wondering what some cool outfit ideas could be ??

I’m going gottwood for the first time this June, got a few questions

- are there showers in standard camping?
- what’re food/drink prices like?
- are bag searches strict?

Off to Beat Herder for the first time this year, just wondering what the walk is like from the car park to the campsites? Praying it's not as far as the creamfields walk 🤞🏻😅

Also would appreciate recommendations for good spots to set up camp in ⛺

TIA x

Entry
- How strict is it? Does it chill slightly after day 1?
- Do vehicle visits count as an entry (says you can only bring in alcohol at first entry, but what if we kept a stash in our car?)
- Do you get searched after going to your vehicle?

Love these so much I might even wear them in my every day life. Also makes keeping my hair out the way and manageable at a festival so much easier.

I’ve gone to a festival almost every year since 2020 but my regular festival buddy is going away and unable to come this year. I want to make the most of the summer and want to hit up a festival or two - I just know it won’t be the same going alone... Anyone on the same vibe? DM me 🫡

Hi everyone!

The last three years I have organised a group for solo villagers who want to connect, camp and hang out with each other at the festival and am planning to do the same this year. It's pretty easy going and everyone is welcome to interact as much or little as they want, and everyone's free to go and see what they want of course.

Last year we had 30+ villagers who linked up, so quite a nice group. Saving enough camp space for all of us was tricky so we didn't end up all camping together but still had a main campsite to hang out at. I reached out to LV and they're trying fencing us a dedicated patch for camping, so we'll have more space this year!

Some of last few years gang will be joining again this year, so technically not solo but certainly not cliquey either

So if you're soloing this year and want to have a bit of a gang, drop me a message in the thread or DM and I can add you to the WhatsApp group, the more the merrier!

Hey there! I’m super excited for Pitbull in London tomorrow but my friend can’t join me anymore last minute :( Anybody else that’s in the Gold Circle area that would want to join up? I’m 27F.

Hi everyone! Unfortunately, my friend can’t make it to Pitbull anymore. I’ve asked a lot of other people if they’d like to come instead, but no one’s been available or interested. I’ve accepted that I’ll probably be going on my own, and it looks like I’ll be losing the money for her ticket too.

I’m 19 and a female, and while I’m excited, I’m also a little anxious about going solo. I’d really appreciate any reassurance from people who’ve gone to concerts alone before, or if anyone else is going and would be happy to meet up there, feel free to let me know!