The simplest ways to make enemies in the fields
Gigwise

11:39 3rd August 2015

Festival season is well underway, and while the main concern is what to take - perhaps more attention should be paid on what NOT to do while you're spending three days in a field.


True, festivals are one of the few places where people can escape humdrum, city lives and spend a few grubby days in a tent drinking and partying - but there's a line that needs to be drawn where your fun is spoiling things for others around you. 

We've pulled together the 23 things that get on our nerves more than anything else at festivals, from deliberately obscuring the views of others to making sure no one camping near you gets any sleep. Ladies and gentlemen - please don't.

Check out our festival don'ts here

  • Taking acoustic guitars: Seriously, did you not think there would be enough live music at the festival?

  • Bringing suitcases: Yes it is tough hauling holiday luggage across a field, isn't it?

  • People who moan about everything: It's three days of dirt and hangovers. Suck it up and make the most of it - or just stay at home

  • Bringing camping chairs into an arena: No one cares that you have had your picnic area laid out since 11am, that six-metre area on the grass (for four people) doesn't belong to you (see Latitude festival 2012)

  • Pitching your tent on top of someone else's tent: There's nothing quite like waking up with someone else's head touching yours - through two sheets of nylon

  • Stealing: Just, no

  • Starting inappropriate mosh pits: Ed Sheeran and Two Door Cinema Club should not have circle pits

  • Angry people as you try to push your way OUT of the crowds: We're not taking space, we're making more space for you. Drop the aggro

  • Noisy sex in tents: Especially on a Sunday. You haven't had a wash for three days

  • All night talkers in camp sites: We get it, you're still drunk or high, so how about you make the most of the buzz at the late night tents in the festival instead of making a complete racket in the camping area?

  • The human centipedes - OF RUDENESS: Linking arms and pushing to the front is unacceptable at any time. We don't care what excuses you use as you push and shove your way through the already-packed crowd - it's just rude

  • Filming the set with a f*cking iPad: If you thought phones at gigs are bad, iPad b*stards are a whole new level of hell

  • Pissing in cups - and throwing the cups into the audience: We're fine with not washing for a few days - but that's just disgusting

  • Drug dealers who appear to have taken half their supply: Sorry sir, your bug-eyes and incessant chewing has put us right off your wares. We'll stick to Strongbow tonight

  • Jumping around in the crowd wearing a massive rucksack: You don't have a tent where you can leave that thing? Or is it just full of your wet-wipes, moisturiser, rug, spare flip-flops and iPod speakers and other entirely unnecessary festival clutter...

  • ALAN! STEVE!: Shouting this was funny. In 2009

  • Front row statues: You waiting for two hours to stand there motionless (and probably dehydrated) at the front for your favourite band? Way to go, fun people

  • One-song fans: You came all this way, pitched a tent and got covered in mud, just to shout all the way through a band's set because you want to hear their big hit single?

  • People p*ssing everywhere (and not just the men...): And you can't walk the 20 yards to the urinals because...? See below for evidence of the consequences of such actions

  • Campsite real-estate developers: How cute - you've roped off an area and put up spinning windmills and flags, we'll just go and pitch by the toilets shall we? Don't think so...

  • Selfie sticks: Now vanity comes with an extendable arm

  • Getting on your mate's shoulders for the whole set: Sure, it's great for TV coverage of Glastonbury - but a misery for everyone behind you


Photo: Wenn/Press