Download, am I past it?

yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I've got the opportunity to go and work at Download this year, for the full weekend. The work is what I normally do off and on at bike-related shows and events, selling tshirts and other (usually bike-related) memorabilia on my friend's stall.

I had a look at the line-up so far and there's a few bands there that I would be glad of the opportunity to see (Kiss; not seen them since 1984, The Offspring; despite having all their albums never seen them live yet, Lostprophets; OK they're Welsh but they're still good, Jimmy Eat World; my heroes, Biffy Clyro; like them a lot, Coheed & Cambria; for the hair man, the hair! etc) and I'd probably get enough time to fit them in around the shifts I'd be working.

Thing is, although I do the big bike rallies like the Bulldog and I still like to go to gigs when I get the chance I've not done a big rock festival since the last Donington I went to, which I think was about 88 or 89 (the one where the guys got squashed when Guns n Roses were on, I think Maiden might have been the headliners) and I'm a bit concerned that I'm just too bloody old to hack it these days.

The camping I can deal with, do that a lot. The toilets I can probably just about manage as well (can't be any worse than rally toilets eh?) it's the whole festival atmos & bottles of piss thing (do they still do that?) that's putting me off a bit. Can't just say fuckit and get off me face either cos I'll be working for 10-12 hours a day. Confused

What do you reckon, are festivals a young person's game or shall I give it a go anyway?
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Ragdoll · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Karma :

Do it...you know you want to. Twisted Evil

If I were given the opportunity to go and work there, I'd jump at the chance and I'm now officially 'middle-aged' Rolling Eyes

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mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

As far as i gather all the stall holders got their own bit to camp on, i.e. next to their van Laughing

The toilets.. i'm not sure what the arrangements are there for stall holders (think they may have had their own) but if your useing the same ones as everyone else.. well put it this way, we happily walked from the furthest corner (where we were camped) to the entrance to use the bogs that were marginally less grim..

However bad you think they might be, x50, than double it.. also bearing in mind the very high temperatures outside.

As for bottles of wee, didn't see any, there were bottles of water, i got a 2litre one on the leg, which wasn't bad.. but there was a guy (oddly, talica were on and everyone else was standing up) layed on his back in the middle of the floor.. i remember thinking "thats not a great idea with all these bottles flying about" moments later he got a half full 6litre bottle squar in the nuts, which seemed to wake him up a bit.

then there was the (all be it half arsed) rioting.. which i understand didn't occur last year. or any time previously..
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queen of string · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Karma :

can I come? I'm about your age, we could hold hands Smile

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Cigaro · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Karma :

I'd say if you have the chance to do it for free, go and do it - there are some great bands on at Download and getting pissed, stoned and muddy in the great outdoors is fantastic fun.

Although if you don't think you can hack it, why not go to one of the less commercial ones? It'll be far less hectic. I went to a few last year, Africa Oye at Sefton Park, Liverpool which was ace - free and met some great people - and Big Green Gathering. The year before I went to Tryst'o'Gal. That was good too, apart from returning covered in a thousand midge bites!

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 02 Jul 2002 Karma :

There's now way you're too old for it. Myslef and MrsHippy will be there, so be sure to take our mobile number and give us a shout if you do go. Thumbs Up

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sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

thegubner · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Karma :

So am I.

Not my cup of tea at all, three older women all together muddy drunk and wet, possibly altogether in a tent.

I'm far happier thinking about the next nappy change to be honest.

neatbik · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Karma :

Nah, you arent too old! Go for it and enjoy, i'd love to go but funds wont allow Thumbs Down

Born2bVile · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'm pissed off about Download. I want to see Kiss again!

Kel's never seen them, I've seen every member apart from Tommy Thayer over 28 years. But £130 for a ticket!

So I've sussed it.

It's cheaper for me to take Kel to Paris to see them. Just got to suss out babysitters now Cool

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