Comments on: Let us know about your music festival experiences! /let-us-know-music-festival-experiences/ Bringing young people with axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis together. Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:44:58 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.16 By: ASone /let-us-know-music-festival-experiences/#comment-5 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 09:04:09 +0000 http://asone.nass.co.uk/%3Fp=4349#comment-5 Wow, thank you Joey! That’s absolutely extensive post! You know so much on the subject and have been to so many fantastic festivals, we’ll quote a lot from this!
If you feel like you have more to share on any other subject get in touch with us, we’re always looking for guest bloggers:)
Thank you so much!

]]> By: AS One /let-us-know-music-festival-experiences/#comment-4 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:45:00 +0000 http://asone.nass.co.uk/%3Fp=4349#comment-4 Inflatable mattress is a really good idea! The article with tips should be ready before August, there was such a great response from ASone community!

]]> By: Leah-Maarit Jeffery /let-us-know-music-festival-experiences/#comment-3 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 06:54:00 +0000 http://asone.nass.co.uk/%3Fp=4349#comment-3 Well I had a hip replacement 3 weeks ago, and I really want to go to a long weekend festival at the end of August if I’m physically up to it. I’d love to hear peoples tips! My only thoughts so far, are that I will be bringing a good inflatable mattress.

]]> By: Joey /let-us-know-music-festival-experiences/#comment-2 Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:34:00 +0000 http://asone.nass.co.uk/%3Fp=4349#comment-2 First of all, read all of the info on the festivals website (often they detail info on taking medication such as leaving the pharmacy label on it, only taking what you actually need for the weekend, if you need to take the prescription slip with you or not etc.). Most festivals will have a facility to store medication that needs to be refrigerated, you may have to contact them before arrival though to organise this. Also, if you are worried about losing your tablets or having them stolen, you can usually hire a locker at festivals too. Some festivals even have a pharmacy onsite nowadays.

Camping wise, I found an inflatable airbed (operated by a small battery powered pump) was super comfy. Plus a tent you can stand up in may be better than a smaller one so you can have more room to manoeuvre around easier. Also a good quality backpack with padded and adjustable arm straps and back panel makes all the difference when carrying your stuff about. Most festivals have fold up, wheel barrow type push along carts you can hire too if you can’t take your own wheels. If you can afford it you could always just buy arena only tickets and book a nearby hotel or opt for a VIP package if the festival offers that for more comfort?

Everyone has different levels as far as stamina goes. Most festivals will have seating available away from the stages so you can take a break, or take a picnic mat or foldaway chair if you think you may need one. If you have very severe AS you may even be able to contact the festival beforehand and get access to the disabled viewing area for you and a ‘carer’, but this may vary from festival to festival… if you are registered disabled though this should definitely be an option for you, as would the disabled camping area.

Weather wise, I’ve survived several ‘Drownload’ Festivals (both camping and staying in a hotel) with the help of the following…

If camping, take a 3 season sleeping bag if you can afford it to keep you warm at night. Take enough changes of clothes incase you get drenched (or enough money or a debit / credit card to buy new clothes from the stalls there if you need to). Take good quality waterproof wellies and waterproof poncho (worth investing in as the cheaper ones will leak or rip as I’ve found out over the years!). A waterproof bag or backpack is handy too so your phone etc. Stays safe. Here are links to my favourite waterproof festival items…

Best wellies, comfy all day and waterproof…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00EZNRKNI/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1498576944&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=dunlop+wellies

Best ponchos…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00DCTMIAQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498577044&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=splashmac&dpPl=1&dpID=41XLuydkfWL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01HXKAE96/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1498577079&sr=8-15&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=poncho+waterproof

Best waterproof bags…

https://www.over-board.co.uk

If you do have a bad day, hopefully some of the steps above shoukd help to ease it. I’ve had to miss a couple of bands to return to my tent and have a rest in the past, sometimes its best to just take a break for an hour or so and rest.

You’ll find mist fellow festival goers and staff are friendly and approachable, if you need help just ask and I’m confident they will go out of their way to try to help as much as they can.

If all else fails, hit the bar (if you like a cheeky tipple) and just enjoy yourself. Escape from reality for a few days.

Joey. 🙂

Festival history…

Big Day Out UK
Big Day Out Australia
V Festival x 2
Leeds Festival x 2
Sonisphere Festival x 2
Download Festival x 8

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