30 August 2015

2015 FESTIVAL REVIEWS


After our first festival experience last year at Reading, we knew it was going to be hard to go a year without going to another one. The two festivals we're reviewing are extremely different with Somersault being a family friendly event with other activities besides music on offer, and Reading being a young rock/alternative music focused festival.

Somersault Festival Boutique Camping



SOMERSAULT FESTIVAL, DEVON 23rd-27th
Headliner: Bombay Bicycle Club and Passenger, Crystal Fighters, Laura Marling
Sleeping: Boutique camping in a bell tent (you can go standard camping)
Favourite: Bombay Bicycle Club was definitely the highlight - it was their last show for a long time so they bought out Rae Morris, Lucy Rose and Liz Lawrence to sing on their songs. Jeremy Loops was also amazing live as he really got the crowd going and you got to see him do everything on a loop pedal.
Other acts to check out: Amber Run, Bear's Den, The Staves, Cash+David, Tora, Jake Isaac
Highlights: Seeing so many of the acts around the festival - met Bear's Den and Rae Morris (and her mum), the photography masterclasses were really interesting by @nathangallagher on Instagram and I had a lot of fun holding in laughter at the yoga session I went to.
Food: Expensive niche food stalls offering pizza, paella, Mexican etc. Expect lots of stalls to be inside a campervan!
Atmosphere: Easy going, friendly, suitable for all ages.
Other activities: Forest party, campfire meals, comedy, yoga, fitness classes, theatre and so on usually for an extra charge.
Typical fashion: Think flower crowns mixed with rain coats!
Price of ticket: £99.50-£135 (only £5 for under 10's and £75 for 11-17's)
Our best advice: Dress for the weather. Bring clothes that you won't mind getting dirty and a couple of layers - also wellies are a must if it's forecast to rain as it got VERY muddy.





READING FESTIVAL FRIDAY 28th
Headliner: Mumford & Sons
Sleeping: Last year we slept in tents, but this year we just went up for a day. We recommend sleeping in White Camp - it may be the furthest away from the arena but it's also the furthest away from the majority of drunks!
Favourite: Mumford & Sons were incredible, they really got the crowd going and Marcus Mumford even crowd surfed! They played songs off of their new album and then some of their more well-known older songs that everyone sang along to. Bear's Den were also amazing, the tent was completely packed and as they left the stage the crowd chanted for an encore.
Other acts to check out: Hunter and The Bear, Jake Isaac, Bastille, Alt-J, Don Broco
Food: Fast food pasta, pizza, fish & chips, ice-cream, toasties... everything you can think of!
Atmosphere: Rowdy, exhilarating and very busy with a much younger audience.
Other activities: There are a few comedians, fair rides and a silent disco if you have a weekend pass.
Price of ticket: £65 for a day, £210 for the whole weekend
Our best advice: Avoid the dance tent (if you don't like illegal activities behind your back), take hand sanitiser and don't eat the Chinese food. Also, if you despise having greasy hair, take a bucket and some shampoo minis and get your friend to wash your hair one morning.



Our Camping Kit List...
  • Festival Ticket!
  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Roll mat
  • Food / Snacks
  • Torch (headtorch)
  • Waterproof coat
  • Camping chairs
  • UV paint / glitter
  • Bumbag
  • Hand Sanitiser
  • Toilet Paper
  • Toiletries
  • Dry Shampoo
  • Wet Wipes
  • Basic Makeup
  • Clothes (leggings, shorts)
  • Pyjamas
  • Festival Trolley
  • Water Bottles
  • Sun Cream
  • Old Phone
  • Disposable Camera
  • Money
  • Wellies
  • A Warm Jumper
  • Sunglasses
  • Bin Bags
  • Flip Flops
  • Shoes
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush + Ties
  • Shampoo + Conditioner Minis
  • Bucket



We made playlists for both Somersault and the whole weekend of Reading & Leeds Festival with our favourite bands that were playing. Search esmerhiannon in Spotify to listen!

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