Music festival gear (OK, so it's not ultralite trekking, but we are camping).

B

Brendan

Ultralighter
So we are finally returning to the UK for the summer having not left China since Summer 2019.
As a treat, my son and I are going to Belgium for a music festival - Rock Werchter 2023 - from Thursday 29 June to Sunday 2 July | Rock Werchter 2023.
We will be Glamping (using their tents etc) as I can't be arsed to bring all my gear over to get trashed or stolen by drunk teenagers.
Not having camped at a music festival since the 90's my question is what gear do we pack and where to buy it cheaply. I am working on the only take stuff you can afford to lose theory.

Want to take as little as possible so thinking of the following…
fleece (what's good and cheap)
rain coat (what's good and cheap)
t-shirt's
lite weight summer long pants, zip off to shorts
shorts
long sleeve shirt (sun protection)
undies
socks
cheap trainers
sandal/flip-flops (or as I call them - thongs)
hat
usual toiletries
camping towel

What am I forgetting, where do i buy it, best way to carry it?

Cheers for any and all advice.
 
M

mjh

Trail Blazer
Having been to lots of rock and metal festivals over the last 10 years (Download, Hellfest, Bloodstock etc) I think that you’re worrying unnecessarily about losing stuff. The only things are not to bring valuables that you can’t take into the festival arena with you ie don’t leave cash or valuable electronics in your tent but I’ve never heard of gear being nicked. Thieves tend to be after cash at festivals.

On stuff getting trashed - just try and work out where the rowdiest campsite is going to be and avoid it (to be honest unless you’re there well before opening your not likely to be camping with the hardcore anyway!).

I’d say the biggest risk is weather trashing gear. If the weather is going to be wet cheap-ish ponchos can be better than waterproofs - you can put them over the top of camp chairs if necessary! Bloodstock allows camping chairs in the arena but many festivals don’t so worth checking what is allowed in the arena area.

I think your list is pretty sensible but I wouldn’t go out and buy cheap versions of gear you already have unless you’re really worried. The only thing I’d not take is an expensive sleeping bag - too much chance of it getting covered in mud/dirt/dust. I’d take your gear in a rucksack as there’s often a fair trek to/from the campsite and a small rucksack can be useful for taking into the arena (depending on what they allow again).

Enjoy!
 
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