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Festivals you may not know

Stillill42

Evening all,

It's an interesting and erudite bunch that frequent this corner of Boards. I've spent most of my time here on the EP thread and have picked up so much in the way of musical and general festival advice. It's been my pleasure to meet a bunch of you over the years at Stradbally. However, I'm also aware that there are a pile of posters that have ventured further afield in search of the perfect festival. We're well served by informative threads on the Irish big hitters, EP, ATN, Body and Soul, Beyond the Pale and an ever active and very friendly long runner on Glastonbury.

I'd love if people could post a bit about other festivals they've been to around the country but also around the globe. I'd love to hear how easy/ difficult it was to get to, what the cost is, how the accommodation stacked up, how's the booze, what's the vibe and OF COURSE what does the musical experience feel like? I'm 53 and maybe looking for something different these days, I'm sure there's others in that boat. Let's share a bit about what's out there.

I hit EOTR this year so I'll fire off something about that in a bit.

Cheers in advance lads.

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Stillill42

Folks, who's been to Green Man and how did ye travel? Ferry to Holyhead still leaves a fair drive. Anyone fly to Bristol? Seems to be coaches from there. Is that a good option? Any help much appreciated.

CoffeeImpala

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122073444#Comment_122073444

I was considering this before EP moved their dates. Sail-Rail through Holyhead is the option I'd probably go for.

If you were flying Birmingham might be a better option than Bristol. The flight times fit better with the bus times and it looks like it might be easier to get to the coach station from the airport.

[Deleted User]

Went to Vantastical a few times, nice small festival but ran into issues recently and next year's will be the last one ever.

SteM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122073444#Comment_122073444

We had looked into it before and it were planning ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke Dock and drive across from there.

mgkelly

Off to Bearded Theory in short number of weeks. Ferry overnight on Thu, Belfast-Liverpool, then drive to Derbyshire. Very much looking forward to it. Really, the first festival I've gone to outside the island of Ireland, so be interested to see if this type of outing is worth it. Been to Hyde Park a couple of times - The Cure & Pearl Jam. Saw Sigur Ros in MSG, NY, one time. But no festivals. So, here goes!

Will report back!

Stillill42

Cheers for the Green Man feedback lads. None of those options look straightforward. Holyhead a couple of hours on ferry, then a good 3 or 4 hours at least the other side, even Pembroke a couple of hours after the ferry and the initial spin from Dublin to Rosslare. Bristol only 60 odd miles away, an hour and a bit on the bus, 40 quid return. These things can be different in practice that on paper I know, so absolutely open to correction.

Stillill42

....

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122073834#Comment_122073834

Would love to hear about that, mg. Looks like a really interesting little festival.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122073444#Comment_122073444

Apologies for quoting myself. I should have said that I'm likely not looking to bring a tent. Very reasonable prepitched options, 95 yoyos for a 1-2 man tent, less than 400 for a 4-6 man, used the same one at EOTR last year, perfect for 4 of us. I'd just be schlepping the mat and sleeping bag.

mcdonut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122073444#Comment_122073444

15 years since we went. Ferry to Holyhead and my friend drove down. Both times we went we arrived on the Thursday evening.

It's a great festival. I wouldn't mind going again some year.

Dreamweapon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122074028#Comment_122074028

Are you planning for next year? This year is sold out.

Stillill42

.....

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075112#Comment_122075112

It is but the good folk on efestivals assure me that there's always loads of availability on the resale site from late July. As there was with a sold out EOTR last year. I'd be confident enough.

Dreamweapon

Ah right. Didn't realise either of them had a resale.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075169#Comment_122075169

Fanticks is the site for Green Man.

CoffeeImpala

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122073934#Comment_122073934

I think you should give more consideration to flying through Birmingham. You arrived arrive on site 30 minutes later but have significantly cheaper flights and an easier transfer between airport and bus station.

Although it's only an option if you're traveling on the Thursday so maybe doesn't suit for that reason.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075646#Comment_122075646

Ta Coffeeimpala. I'll give it a proper look.

CorkClaire82

@Stillill42 only seeing all this now, I've been going to Green Man since 2015 and every year we get the ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke as we bring all our gear over. It's part of the summer now to go to Rosslare the night before, early ferry over and arrive on site around 3ish. I would absolutely 100% NOT recommend Holyhead, the drive through Wales is very bad, the roads are really pretty minor, some smaller than our N roads. The festival is similar to ATN in that you can bring your cans everywhere (they might ask you to put an open can on walking in in your cup but that's the height of it) so having the car for the beer run is handy beforehand :)

In general it's very similar to ATN, the vibe, the beautiful setting, bit of craic about it - the only thing it's missing is a good wooded area but you'll get over that.

We have friends who go from Bristol and quite often get the bus and seemingly all good and no major hassle in it. Bristol airport is very easy as well so big advantages.

Tickets come on sale on Fanticks regularly, I've never seen anyone on eFestival be disappointed at not getting one.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122077080#Comment_122077080

Ah brilliant, Corkclaire82, that's just what I'm looking for. Cheers.

Dreamweapon

According to the FAQs Green Man doesn't operate a free flow policy. Is this something they just ignore then?

CorkClaire82

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122077164#Comment_122077164

Yep, one time we were stopped going in as we had a can each open and the steward told us put it in our cups (they have a system there where you pay £1 for your cup and basically use that or swap out all weekend) and we went on our way into the arena. Bag full of cans as well.

Dreamweapon

June bank holiday weekend. €50 for both days or €35 for one.

Stillill42

Just in case anyone was thinking about Green Man and dubious about the ticket situation, I've a notification set up.on Fanticks and there've been 2 up already today. Now they were multi ticket packs, you know, 1 adult + 1 student + 1 carpark so I didn't pull the trigger but yeah, I figure there'll be no bother picking one up.

Stillill42

Right, flights and coach booked. Green Man ahoy.

Dreamweapon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122132551#Comment_122132551

If you don't mind me asking, how much did they cost?

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122133602#Comment_122133602

Not at all, flights to Bristol 65 over, 56 back, coach 20 each way. Pre pitched tent will be 95 for the weekend if I end up solo.

mgkelly

So, just on the Liverpool-Belfast ferry back from the mudfest that was Bearded Theory 2024.

http://www.beardedtheory.co.uk

I know people complained about ATN last year (I was there) but this was another level.

It rained & was muddy when I arrived Friday morning. Saturday was saved by some sun. Of course, rained again, so mudfest back on Sunday.

So, what about the actual festival? Well, firstly, I felt positively young at the whole thing - I'm 54. And there was a lot of crustiness on show. Don't get me wrong, I've no beef with crusties. Just not for me. And great Levellers love (and merch, including t shirts, jackets, totes etc.). New Model Army played...of course!

The second thing was the great amounts of punk - they do like it up them, over there. Our very own scary Meryl Streek (are those creepy white contacts he wears?) played. And boy is he angry. But ya know what, TBH, I don't blame him.

Then, there were the angry girls. Lambrini Girls & Panic Shack were two proponents. Proper angry punk - and good it was, too. Sunday @ 12md brought Belfast's own Problem Patterns - angry punk girls. I look forward to seeing them at Stendhal in a few weeks. I wonder how the much more "refined" audience will find them, there?!

Bob Vylan. He's angry, too! But I liked his schtick.

Therapy? played later in the evening & were proper good.

Future Islands, eh?! What's that all about?

Great entertainment but crazy dude fronting the band! Mad dancing & he occasionally has this guttural roar/growl into the mic. Very entertaining!

Saturday was the best day, simply because a) the sun shone & b) the ground nearly firmed up!

Look - green(ish) ground!! This was a quagmire, 24h later. And note the crowd - older than me!!

Goat Girl were good - not half as angry as other ladies - and brought their flag.

I suppose Sleaford Mods had to be done!

Ditto Jane's Addiction. Perry Farrell comes across as very through other. Brain a little addled, perhaps? And more than a bit misogynistic...as were the Mods. Or am I just over interpreting?

Caught part od 808 State DJ set - wish I could have stayed.

Orbital turned in a great set before my bed time. Got my step count up! 😏

Sunday brought more good stuff. The previously mentioned Belfast punk girls were great. And the highlight of the weekend was English Teacher. Fronted by this diminutive young lady:

Wonderful vocals. Spine tingling & lump-in-the-throat, dust in my eye stuff. I know their Dublin gig got meh-ed on here somewhere, but this was gorgeous.

Les Savy Fav - WTF is the lead singer on?! In and out of the crowd like an eejet. Crept up behind some folks at a point!

Dry Cleaning are perhaps well named &, well, dry! But I do like them!

Then came the ultimate clash - Dinosaur Jr v The Orb at same time!! But, will see The Orb at Stendhal, so off to Dinosaur Jr through the mud. Great entertainment and efforts were made to overload the sound system.

Picked up a wee bit of Steve Davis on the decks.

Caught a bit of The Orb DJ set.

Picked up Stereo MCs - really like 'em. Finished off with part of the System 7 set.

All in all, good weekend.

The keywords are: - punk, crusties, angry girls, mud…..and I felt young!

Dreamweapon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122189814#Comment_122189814

Cheers for the review. Sounds like my kinda festival! I actually thought it had folded years ago so stopped looking it up. Might consider it in the future now.

I think you're probably reading too much into Sleaford Mods if you thought they were misogynistic. It was me that downplayed English Teacher's Dublin gig (in my defence, my two mates agreed). I'll never get Future Islands but each to their own i guess. Glad you had a good time.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122189814#Comment_122189814

Cheers MG, lots to like about that set up. Bad weather is a fecker, no doubt, when you're on a festival buzz but plenty of good music there to keep your mind off it.

mgkelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122189949#Comment_122189949

Yeah, possibly they were tongue-in-cheek. Hope so!

And of course, everyone has their own nuances on what they like. Which is cool. 👍👌