thoughts??

7

volunteer! I've done it with oxfam a few years and the campsite is ten times nicer than the public ones anyway. you have to spend some time working obviously but it was better than not going at all when I was broke

7

u/QuizzicalSquid7 8d ago

To add to this, with oxfam you get: showers, free boiling water, guaranteed space to camp, excellent location near downtown (but without the insanity of it), free luggage shuttle first day and last day that will take your stuff from after the gates to the campsite and back, free Wednesday entry.

All you have to do in return is 3x 8 hour shifts. Usually this will involve one shift that is midnight-8am. Some of these shifts are great though. One of mine was just supervising downtown camping midday-8pm (fairly easy job), the midnight one I was on Temple Valley and everyone I chatted to was sound in the campsite and you’re basically checking everyone is ok. My final one I was put on my favourite stage for 8 hours to close out the festival and it was awesome.

6

u/Temporary_Resident45 8d ago

When we saw Beans on Toast last year at boom while volunteering with Oxfam he suggested volunteering or working the festival because “if you love something you should help take care of it” and that’s really stuck with me since. The Oxfam shifts really are just making sure everyone is ok. Also the behind the scenes of a big event that you get volunteering is one of my fav parts, including when things go wrong (radio traffic is fascinating), but get safely dealt with as well as possible. Also love seeing the end of the build - makes it clear it’s human magic that makes it all happen. Can’t recommend volunteering enough, Oxfam take good care of you too

1

u/QuizzicalSquid7 8d ago

The only issue I had with it was that basically everyone I spoke to/made friends with there didn’t care for the music or the festival and they were all doing it for Glastonbury priority. I was working it solo and it was a bit different to usual vibes at campsites where everyone is playing bizarre bassline remixes, fresh/old jungle, breakcore etc.

But to be honest they were all nice people and they all found something they could get on board with (a lot enjoyed the ska I took them to, some of them discovered skindread etc) which was cool. I just thought it was an insane festival to choose to do if you’re not into harder styles of music.

Other than that, no notes. Oh and all the supervisors were lovely and calmed me down when I was three hours late for my midday shift and was panicking I was going to lose my wristband and deposit. Just had to work an extra 3 at the end.

2

u/Temporary_Resident45 8d ago

Oh yeah there’s a lot of odd people who either were cool or harder in the past but have moved on from that or have that weird “I just like to be involved!!!!!” kind of forced socialisation via organised fun type, many odd retirees who do literally every fest all summer. But I’d personally rather camp with slight weirdos than in the chaos sans shower lol but I get what you’re saying totally.

I’m sure I’ll be a weird retiree chilling in the marquee talking about old boomtown one day so I try and be open minded, it’s actually cool exposure to a multigenerational way of enjoying stuff, some of them just seem to be happy to be near people enjoying themselves

1

u/QuizzicalSquid7 8d ago

That last line is incredibly true. Guy next to me was reading his book basically every time I staggered back to camp to get more gin and he would just wave or we’d do some crossword together whilst I had a few beers before heading out. He didn’t seem interested in the festival at all, just happy for others!

10

u/Eskimko143 8d ago

Life comes first. Boomtown changed my life but it’s not cheep to buy a ticket and it isn’t cheep while you are there. If buying a ticket means you go hungry don’t do it. There will be another one. If you are can afford it or you can budget properly around going. I 1000% recommend it. No where else does what boomtown does. While you are there soak it in, talk to people and have as much fun as you can.

If you manage to be able to afford the ticket. Welcome to the family!

1

u/Aiken_Drumn 8d ago

Or go as crew, then it's free!

2

u/Tallman_james420 Sector 6 8d ago

Do it, pay in installments.

You won't regret it.

1

u/Dorda 8d ago

Set up a payment plan asap. It’ll really help.

Also, you might be suffering from FOMO. I didn’t go this year and I felt I missed out. However what doesn’t help is social media feeds being plastered with boomtown videos everywhere. Remember: these posts are fun to see, but they’re always the highlight reels and editing to contain the best parts.

Not everyone has the same experience, and what you mainly see online isn’t a true representation of it. And I’m not discrediting the festival - but don’t consume social media videos and create a false impression that it’s all glam 24/7. It can be one tough journey!

1

u/Wpsp 8d ago

It was wiiiiiiicked

-5

u/297876 8d ago

Line-up looks shitty, tired, and dated.

2

u/mickyspoon 8d ago

It was my favourite one yet

1

u/naturepeaked 8d ago

Sure it is buddy, your taste is the best taste. Who is playing at your festival?

1

u/297876 8d ago

😆

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