22 ? 24 August 2008



You've got your tickets and you're ready to go celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Leeds Festival. August is coming up quickly; before you know it the sister festivals of Leeds and Reading are going to be here. Are you ready to party?

Sure, you're ready for bands like Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Queens of the Stone Age, Bloc Party, The Fratellis, The Killers, Slipknot, The Enemy and literally dozens of others. You're even planning on camping out to really enjoy the whole festival experience. But do you really know how to get the most out of the weekend?

Make yourself a check-off list and include things like a tent and sleeping bag (just in case it gets cold), extra paper in case the loo runs out (and they will), spare clothes, a small knife and some cutlery (you just never know), sun tan lotion, a disposable camera, a lightweight waterproof jacket, all those personal bits you need to stay clean and fresh, and of course cash. The list can go on and on.

So, now you know what you're packing, it's time to start planning your weekend. What time does the campsite open? The arena? How can you get a good spot? And what about all those other things that you tend to forget until it's too late?

The Do List

Find out your mobile phone's security code and your provider's helpline number and give it to a mate who's staying home. That will be invaluable information should your phone be lost or stolen.

Take a look around when you arrive. Note those landmarks so you can find your tent site. Pitch your tent before getting your wrist band, otherwise you may be stuck with a very undesirable campsite. Take lots of pictures of your mates being silly and other stupid things ? these are the unique memories of your festival experience!

Pack extra shoes, Wellies if it's likely to be muddy. Oh, and make sure to tie them properly. Losing a shoe in the festival would be a real pain. While you're at it, make sure you're got spares of everything in case anything gets muddied up too badly. Make sure to drink lots of non-alcoholic beverages, especially if it gets hot and sunny.

The Don't List

Don't get a new piercing or tattoo six weeks before the festival. Keeping things clean and healthy when everything around is muddy and sweaty is fast-track to infection.

Don't set up camp in the middle of a road. No brainer, right? But it's easy to miss if you're there early. And don't try to carry all your gear to get that wristband. Set up first, then go get your band.

Don't use up all your camera memory, or film, taking long-distance shots of the bands.

Oh, and don't go drinking too much alcohol too quickly. Alcohol is dehydrating, and it's a good way to land yourself with heat stroke.

In The Arena

Important tidbits to know to make your weekend more pleasurable.

The arena is scheduled to open at 11:00 am and the campsite opens at 2:00 pm Wednesday for Early Birds, 8:00 am Thursday for everyone else. The campsites close on Monday at 12:00 pm.

If you want a ?good? spot for your favourite band, plan on arriving two or three bands before. If you want to be right at the front, you may have to spend all day there. Some people have success standing off to the side then working their way across, rather than trying to push forward through the crowd.

Buy a programme if you want to know who's on when, but remember, bands don't always run to schedule and may be a bit early or late. Set times range between 30 minutes for smaller bands to an hour and a half for headliners on the main stage. You can also expect some entertainment to be cranking until around 3:00 am, and later if the City Council approves.

Now get ready to party! The Leeds Festival runs 22-24 August, 2008.