Intro xxxx

The Other Side... ..this is what we doLet me just reassure you. We ain't going all music mag on your arse, we just decided that it'd be fun to put together a festival edition of the magazine. Not for the free tickets and not your archetypal festival guide either...you know the standard 'go to Glastonbury or don't bother going to a festival' type nonsense.

Obviously we've covered the bigshots, but we've also gone all out to find the smaller guys that are worth hitting. Inside you'll find out who, why, what and where your coach pass will be taking you for five days of drunken disorder (not that we suggest you drink at festivals..no sir.)

Add to that the usual Other Side antics, Cardorowski, Murdoch et al and you've got yourselves the most useful fashion accessory of the summer (excluding maybe a bumbag). It fits in your bag, it's glossy and most of all it's perfect with a chocolate digestive.

The Other Side... ..this is what we do

contents

Free even at the worst of times!Packed to the rafters as they say, and what’s inside? Plenty to keep your eyes away from Sh*tlist and the London Shite for at least an afternoon. Enjoy our magazine, filled with insightful articles and top quality illustrations.

Part 1. The Usual Suspects.

London ain’t all that bad.It’s two and sixpence by CardorowskiRise of the Psychonauts by Dan Murdoch One and a bit years, we see how Boris is doing.The Diary of Joseph Barton by Ed Herman

the other Side is Sam, Adam, Steph, nathan, Josh, Becca, Mika, nico, Ed & rick. (c) the other Side Mag 2009. no reprinting without our permission.contact info@tosmag.co.uk / www.theothersidemag.co.uk

Thought for the day.

With the Olympics only 3 years away I have decided to get fit. Possibly fit enough to be part of the British Darts team. Darts….Olympics? Yes it is true the BDA (British Darts Association) are attempting to gain Olympic recognition. Surely a sport where the most action involves walking to the bar to top up your Stella cannot be considered athletics. Fingers crossed people. If we can get Phil ‘the Power’ Taylor to the Olympics anything is possible. Live the Dream!

Part 2. Our guide to the Festivals

A quick run throughFestival Fashionthe small ones

JuneIsle of Wight DownlaodrocknessSonarHurricaineGlastoon the Cheap

JulyGarden Fest roskilde the London ones Festivals on the BlagExit Latitude Benicassim SGP

AugustField DayBig Chillthe Dance onesFirst timers GuideV Festivalreading Leeds

SeptemberBestivalBecome a toSerSubscribe

Jimi is in my ears NP

i forgot about my tea todayit went coldi tried it, but it wasn’t nicei was angry at myself.i’d been looking for something to do for hours and all this time my tea was there.i could have been drinking my tea.instead my eyes hurt from looking at 2D pictures on screensand now my mouth had a bad taste from drinking cold tea.but jimi is in my ears, that’s okay.(lord there’s a red house over yonderlord that’s where my baby stays)

London is alive!

So according to Time Out (which normally I like) North London sucks as does South

London. Does that mean that London sucks? Really Time Out? No, there’s no way London sucks. I’m North, born and raised in Archway, with a tinkling of South blood, my dad’s from West Norwood, lovely cemetery but try getting a cabbie to go there after dark. We thought that rather than slag off Chris, Gwen and Apple for poncing around Primrose, which really is just a good place to pick up some Prosecco and olives before sitting on the hill and gazing South, that we might actually big this bustling city up. So here goes. Our favourite places in London, North, South East and West.

Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, Richmond, South LondonThis place really is fairytale land. Every flower imaginable, trees created for climbing, the sort every 8 year old child wishes for, squirrels, mandarin ducks, swans, even the pigeons were pleasant. This is after sauntering through a park 20 minutes out of the city that is teeming with deer. Go to Isabella Plantation, we think everyone will be blown away.

The Clissold Arms, Fortis Green, East Finchley. North LondonNot because my brother works there, but because wander ten minutes from Muswell Hill or East Finchley and you’ll find the Kinks old haunt, now more Miles than Ray Davies the pub serves up really top quality grub. It has a barbeque on a daily basis through the summer and even a little village store selling cheese, sausages and other foodie delights. Next time you are in there ask for Dan and say we sent you.

yes it is..

Beigel Bake, Brick Lane, East London (mad spelling)After a hard day, night, afternoon even Christmas there’s only one place to go and that is Brick Lane for a salt beef and mustard bagel (back to the English spelling). Open 24 hours a day and always making fresh bagels (you can watch them while you wait) it really is a must for even the most hardened celiac!

Pizza then a movie in Brixton.Franco Manca – h’apparently the best pizza in London. The Pizza is made in an authentic wood burning brick oven from Naples (where they make the best Pizza in the world), olive oil from Sicily need I go on? Six pizzas to choose from, which will it be? Problem is, Franco is only open from 12-5 Monday to Saturday. Take a day off and catch a matinee with a game of fusball in the Ritzy. Victoria Line all the way back North (should

you live there).

Walk from East to WestWalk along the Regent’s Canal from East to West. Grab breakfast at Columbia Road flower market and end up in Little Venice via Camden and London Zoo. Jump on the barge back to Camden for drinks in the Edinboro Castle. Unbeatable day out.

A South London Walk too!Breakfast at Borough market. Early. Beat the crowds. Simply irresistible sausage sarnies and a Monmouth coffee for a quid! Walk it off along the river past the Tate and hop on the Thames to Greenwich.

That should get you started. It’s got my mouth watering and my legs aching already. Enjoy.TOS

Cardorowski

… from Finchley Central to Golders Green on the Northern Line” as the old tune used to go. And as if to prove that song really is one of the few immutables in life, I still hum to myself that ridiculous refrain. For who, in their right mind, would have travelled from Finchley Central to Golders Green on the Northern Line? Makes no sense. From Finchley Central to Golders Green is a single, uninterrupted and cheaper Bus ride with a view. No fiddly-faddly at Camden Town and no distracting thoughts of heading “in”, never mind the time saved for whatever it was you hoped to do in GG that you couldn’t in Finchley. Preposterous notion.

Two and Sixpence, for those who are too young (or disinterested), was a monetary sum that disappeared about 1970, in an early stab at shuffling off our Imperial heritage for the European ideal of Republicanism. We haven’t come very far. 2/6d worked out at about 12 and 1/2p, try squeezing that out of an Oyster!!

But, the Northern Line, what a black artery of hope and adventure! From the clean green of Hampstead Garden Suburb to the flashing, neon lime of Leicester Square. What a trip, in every sense. Theatre, cinema and dancemusicsexromance not to mention the boozedrugs’n’birds angles. The closely watched confines of sub-urbia loosed for the wilds of Urbia, in 10 short stops. First fag on the walk to the station, one on the platform waitingwaitingwaiting for a Charing X branch train, and then the back or front carriage for

another, before striding up and out under the awning of the Wyndhams Theatre for another. Wyndham’s, onetime home of both ‘Godspel’ and ‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’. Now that IS a funky Double Bill to hold in your mind! But we’re only reminiscing, not dreaming here!

Some folk traipse to their local flea-pit for a cinematic experience that’s probably merely an excuse for gropin’neckin’snoggin’. This sub-urbanite craved the Big Screen experience of Leicester Square from an early age. Whether it was “2001”, the latest

Bond or ‘Jimi’, the only method was complete immersion in sound and vision, preferably alone in a crowd of exotic strangers. The monster Odeon and a mate beckoned at a price I can no longer recall, but was probably decimal. Pete, a school-mate of

nervous disposition, given to smoking only the most noxious French smokes available to teenagers and something of a schoolboy guitar hero, chose the film; William Peter Blatty’s only dent on culture “The Exorcist”. He’d dragged a coupla Gauloise to their bitter and very yellow ends over pints of warm beer before we found ourselves in row Q. Smoking was allowed, if not actively expected, back then but nothing coulda prepared me for the volcano that erupted beside me before a head had spun or a vom been thrown in anger.

In Pete’s defence, it should be acknowledged that his cruel neighbour had already seen

“It’s Two and Sixpence…

“Each gleeful nudge induced the sparking up of another black tobacco stick”

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Comment

the film and nudged him throughout with knowing comments along the lines of; “Good bit coming up!” Each gleeful nudge induced the sparking up of another black tobacco stick and a denser fog through which to view the cavorting Linda Blair. As the action grew more florid and fierce so the number of smokes on the go increased until that moment when the Man in Black finally confronted the bronco riding Blair, and Pete had one in each hand and another in his mouth, eyes tight shut, oblivious with fear and completely without the cool he managed with a guitar in his hands. I, yet to catch the Nicotrain, was green at the gills, weeping at the eye and finding the film, the smoking and the neighbour faintly humourous. By the roll of the credits Pete had smoked 30 odd and was utterly lost. The best was yet to come.

Living in the aforementioned Sub-Urb, the easiest way home was a tube back up the left hand branch of the Blackline and a walk into the tranquillity of Sub-urban rest and reassurance. Upon arrival at GG though, Pete suddenly got the violent shakes, “Isn’t this where the Cemetery is?” He stuttered. It was true and, what is more, there had long been a joke for those who trod the tree lined Hoop Lane with frequency, that occasionally one could ascertain that they

were indeed “Frying Tonight!” This was beyond our Pete, having smoked his way through a pack and a half of French Tar, he was bereft of comfort and not about to go quietly into that dark corridor of departed souls! The rescue team were called out and so it was that the Parental Courier was brought in to bear the frazzled Pete back to the safety of his Swiss Cottage domicile. We never really went any further as mates. He never taught me the intricacies of folk guitar, I never acquired the habit of French cigarettes and Pete probably stayed with the buses until the arrival of that Johnny-come-lately Underground Line the Jubilee, where it was never two and six to anywhere!

me for the volcano that erupted beside me before a head had spun or a vom been thrown in anger. In Pete’s defence, it should be acknowledged that his cruel neighbour had already seen the fi lm and nudged him throughout with knowing com-ments along the lines of; “Good bit coming up!” Each gleeful nudge induced the sparking up of another black tobacco stick and a denser fog through which to view the cavorting Linda Blair. As the action grew more fl orid and fi erce so the number of smokes on the go increased until that moment when the Man in Black fi nally confronted the bronco riding Blair, and Pete had one in each hand and another in his mouth, eyes tight shut, oblivious with fear and completely without the cool he managed with aguitar in his hands. I, yet to catch the Nicotrain, was green at the gills, weeping at the eye and fi nding the fi lm, the smoking and the neighbour faintly humourous. By the roll of the credits Pete had smoked 30 odd and was utterly lost. The best was yet to come. Living in the aforementioned Sub-Urb, the easiest way home was a tube back up the left hand branch of the Blackline and a walk into thetranquillity of Sub-urban rest and reassurance. Upon arrival at GG though, Pete suddenly got the violent shakes, “Isn’t this where the Cemetery is?” He stuttered. It was true and, what is more, there had long been a joke for those who trod the tree lined Hoop Lane with frequency, that occasionally one could ascertain that they were indeed “Frying Tonight!” This was beyond our Pete, having smoked his way through a pack and a half of French Tar,

he was bereft of comfort and not about to go qui-etly into that dark corridor of departed souls! Therescue team were called out and so it was that the Parental Courier was brought in to bear thefrazzled Pete back to the safety of his SwissCottage domicile. We never really went any fur-ther as mates. He never taught me the intricacies of folk guitar, I never acquired the habit of Frenchcigarettes and Pete probably stayed with the buses until the arrival of that Johnny-come-latelyUnderground Line the Jubilee, where it was never two and six to anywhere!

by Cardorowski

There are 13 differences! Find at least eight for a chance to win. Email answers to editor@theothersidemag.co.uk

editor@theothersidemag.co.uk

To mark the beginning of London Fashion Week Kensington Roof Gardens playshost to a catwalk show by Paris Hilton’s own fashion label. Check the website at www.londonparties.co.uk for more infomation and guest list.

We have one pair of tickets to give away. For a chance to win, email at least 8 differences to editor@theothersidemag.co.uk by 1:00 Friday.

artwork by Jaime Jackson ©2007

The Other Side Contributors: Doublestruck Ltd., Rebecca Hall, Jaime Jackson, Sam Lassman Watts, Rik Leaf, Tom Leighton, Mark Long, Nico, Peter Quinn, Joe Sumner

9

Cut/Tear here

Not interested in the Herbal Highs at Glasto this year? Dan Murdoch delves into the dangers of the more scientific legal drugs....

They’ve cleared out the old baggies from those crusty smoking tins, thrown away the faded wraps from the pockets of their party shirts. Coke’s out. Ecstasy’s dead. Mandy’s dabbed her last dirty finger. They’re the psychonauts and they’re here to explore the psychedelic boundaries of consciousness. But this time it’s legal.

Welcome to the world of research chemicals. Ever looked through the faded science papers of a failed pharmaceutical escapade in the hope of finding a side-effect to your liking? These folk have. Ever wondered if 4-MMC will have the same effect on you as MDMA? Well now you don’t have to. It does. These boys will tell you. Just don’t let the government know.

“It’s the closest thing to MDMA I’ve ever taken. It’s over much quicker, but there isn’t really a come down like with MDMA. You feel fine the next day,” one psychonaut’s thoughts on mephedrone – a feeling echoed by half a dozen others I’ve spoken to. “The biggest difference is the price. Online, it’s £14 a gram.” Oh yes, and it’s entirely legal.

Mephedrone is just one of a whole genre of new drugs floating under authorities’ radar which have yet to be classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act and go under the banner of ‘research chemicals’ or RCs. You may have caught the end of the 2CB craze from a couple of years back (now banned), all part of the same scene.

Of course people finding new chemicals to get you high isn’t new, the psychonaut hall of fame boasts Timothy Leary and the Shulgins. But the low price and relative accessibility of compounds like mephedrone has the

potential to cause an explosion in popularity, even leading respected narcotic journal Druglink to run the headline: “Mephedrone: The Future of Drug Dealing?”

So are they safe? Absolutely not. No fucking way, these compounds have the potential to be incredibly dangerous. What drugs aren’t? 453 paracetamol-related deaths in 2004, according to the ridiculously bullshit-ridden internet. But a lot of these research chemicals get knocked up by renegade chemists in backstreet laboratories. And people make mistakes.

The best example is the Californian student who was synthesising the heroin analogue MPPP and selling it as ‘China White’. Unfortunately one batch didn’t turn out quite china right and a bunch of junkies started shooting up MPTP,

a chemically similar compound which, within three days of injection, causes extreme and irreversible neuro-damage identical to the later stages of Parkinson’s Disease, leaving the unlucky twenty-something users shaking wrecks for the rest of their admittedly limited lives.

I asked a psychonaut what it’s like to get a strange pack of white powder in the post. What you just whack it up your nose? Who goes first? Don’t you need giant great swinging Godzilla testicles?

“It’s not like that at all. You have to do the research first, you read about it online, hear trip reports from people you trust, check out what precautions you need to take. To minimise the dangers you need to know

Rise of the Psychonauts

“Only take a sip.” A sip. How much is a sip?”

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Drugs

what you’re doing, take the correct dose, don’t mix with alcohol. You have to take it seriously.”

Drugs and taking things seriously. Not a traditional combination.

At the end of April the Daily Telegraph ran with the front page: “Why is killer party drug legal?” The story was of a blond 21-year-old medical student and cheerleader who had been found dead after taking GBL, an industrial solvent sold as alloy wheel cleaner and used in heavily diluted form to get you battered.

The story was presented as if the stuff had killed the poor girl. Actually, at that point, neither a post mortem nor a toxicity report had been conducted. Nor had they as I write this and maybe GBL was the cause, but it might have made sense to work that out before splashing on it.

But the paper did have a point in saying that the Home Office had promised to ban GBL eight months before but, in the words of the distraught mother, some “pen pusher somewhere” had hesitated.

Okay, so if GBL had been banned eight months ago then maybe that girl would still be partying? “Nah, that’s complete shite,” offered one Scottish psychonaut, “if they ban mephedrone or GBL or 2CI then we’re just back to square one – testing out new things that we don’t know much about. At least with mephedrone and GBL you know what you’re getting.”

But do you? Whereas coke, MDMA and heroin have years of research behind them, these chemicals don’t. Nobody knows what will happen to today’s methylmethaqualone user tomorrow. Quite possibly nothing, but it seems a bit of a risk all the same.

So aren’t you better off buying a good, old-fashioned and completely illegal ecstasy from that nice chap with the knife? “Absolutely not. You have no idea what is in an E, who knows what they cut that stuff with? At least with RCs you know what you’re getting. I don’t even take street drugs anymore, I don’t want to mix with drug dealers, I don’t want to break the law.”

Here I feel I should admit to having my own GBL experience. Last night of Glastonbury 2005, and I stumbled across these giant eggs out in a field. I went into one and found a whole bunch of people sitting around on a big round comfy sofa (that really is what happened). Got chatting to the girl next to me and she offered a swig from her flask. What is it? “GBL – liquid ecstasy.” Okay. “Only take a sip.” A sip. How much is a sip? I’d been swigging pear cider all day, glugging it like it was running out. Which it was.

“The problem with GBL,” I'm being told by a doctor, four years later, “is getting the dose right. You need just the right amount to get you feeling euphoric. More than that and you pass out. More than that and you can slip into a coma.”

If only I’d know more in The Egg. I woke up nine hours later, it was day time, people were packing up, huge swathes of tents had disappeared and I’d missed the last night of Glastonbury. “That’s why it gets used as a date rape drug,” adds the doc.

Nothing happened. Definitely. Nothing happened. I’ve always had that limp. So what’s the moral? There is no fucking moral you twat, everything’s relative. Don’t accept liquid ecstasy from strangers in giant eggs?

Read more of Dan Murdoch at www.theothersidemag.co.uk/dan

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Boris Johnson is a .....

ONE & A BIT YEARSA little while back we published a game about London mayor Boris Johnson. The idea was based upon an old Atari Game called Cookie Monster Munch where Cookie Monster had to travel around collecting cookies and putting them back in a jar. Ours was slightly different and we replaced Cookie Monster with Boris. Brilliant. He goes around London picking stuff up and putting it somewhere else, like putting petty crooks who cause disturbances on the buses in a big glass jar outside City Hall. Not wanting to revisit old jokes we decided to find an ancient political hack, stick them in a room with a bottle of vin rouge and ask them what they think of BJ’s first year in charge.

TOS: What do you think of Boris’ first year in charge?

HACK pouring his first glass of £2.99 Lidl own brand vino: I voted for Boris because he’s got blonde hair and I thought it might be a laugh having him as mayor. What’s he done? Oh the usual, bumbled about, presented ‘Have I got news for you’, hasn’t he been writing some newspaper columns and trying to bring back the old buses.

TOS: Yes, he’s getting rid of the bendy buses which are proving just as unpopular in Wigan as they are with BJ. A good thing?

HACK downing his glass of red: Those bendy’s were bloody good. I mean, I saved myself hundreds of pounds last year by hopping on at the back, great for the less well off and students. Now we’re going to get smaller buses on busier routes. You do the math. We’ll be crushed like on the ruddy Northern line.

TOS: or crushed like cyclists?

HACK grabbing some cheese and chive Pringles: You ever cycled in London sonny. Cyclists tear through red lights, overtake on the inside, most of them don’t wear helmets and it’s the buses that are to blame. Yet, today I watched a man get trapped in the doors of a bendy, probably because the driver couldn’t see him getting off 90ft away. Good thing/bad thing who knows but BJ doesn’t like them. I’ll keep an open mind and wait in anticipation for the new ones.

TOS: Ok. You said you liked his hair, anything else?

HACK on his 3rd glass now: Yesh, I like the fact he never wears a tie and always answers a question with a question, like my Jewish mother.

“Would you like some more chicken soup?” I’ll say,

“What do you mean would I like some more chicken soup?”

“Ma, you want some more soup?”

“How can I want some more soup if I’m still eating my bread?”

It goes on, Boris is similar, a recent question asked at mayoral question time:

“Has the Metropolitan Police Service ever a) recorded and b) stored private information about journalists who report on protests and/or demonstrations?”

“What do you mean?

“Has the Metropolitan Police Service ever a) recorded and b) stored private information about journalists who report on protests and/or demonstrations?”

“How can I want some more soup if I’m still eating my bread”.....etc…*

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Wine and Pringles

illustration by Matt Littler

TOS: Ok, so questions with questions, we’ve got one more for you. Do you think BJ will become Prime Minister?

HACK, thinking whilst getting the last drips of wine out of the bottle: Perhaps he shall, perhaps then I could be Mayor, people voted for him to be Mayor so why wouldn’t they vote for him to be PM. I will, after all he’s funny, he’s on TV and has blonde hair

HACK sits slumped over the desk with some crushed Pringles and a takeaway menu in his hand, we call a cab to take him to the jar outside city hall for journalists who have written reports on recent protests and demonstrations.

TOS out.

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The Other Side's Off Side

Monday A new week, and a new me. Haven’t been on the pitch for 3 months now, but I’m raring to go, and it’s high time I put my bad boy image behind me. I’ve done my time, Newcastle United are in trouble, and now I’m ready to step up and do my bit for Big Al. I think he might be the messiah.

Tuesday Bit tired today. Drove out for a McDonald’s in the wee hours and there were all these people out on the road. My first thought from now “Stay good Joey”, so I slowed down to inch past them carefully. One of them seemed really excited to see such a big name star up close and in person. He ran up to my car (guess he wanted my autograph) but accidently bumped into it. Spilt my Smarties McFlurry all over the seat - it’s hard being a celebrity sometimes.

Wend Wednesday sHeard I’m probably starting on Saturday! Just got back from a party to celebrate. These Geordies know how to have a good time, especially that Xisco fella! He kept going on about a thong for some reason though. Lit up a nice Cuban towards the end of the night but couldn’t find an ashtray. Was a bit worried about ruining the carpet – could already see the “Barton in shag pile shocker” headlines - but someone helpfully offered me their eye to stub it out on. Lucky that, could’ve been really damaging to my new, clean cut image.

Thursday Got a call from my old mate Paul Merson (got friendly with him at Big Tone’s driving school). He’s fronting an ad campaign for a betting shop (nothing says “Gambling” quite

like a life sized cardboard cut out of our Paul) and wanted to know if I fancied getting involved. Had to turn him down – it’s "total abstinence" all the way for me.

Friday Yes! Match day tomorrow! So excited I nearly made a mess of my Ousmane Dabo duvet cover.

Saturday Played footy for first time in ages today, it was amazing! Back in Liverpool, where I grew up, the reception from the supporters was just magic. They must have heard about my efforts to turn over a new leaf, because every time I touched the ball all I could hear was “Neeeew”. Thanks guys.

One quite funny incident - Xabi Alonso was keeping the ball near the corner, and I ran over to get it because I wanted to give the fans another chance to see what I can do. The pitch was a bit wet and I slipped over, my legs shot up, and poor old Xabi was knocked off his feet. It was real Laurel and Hardy stuff! We’d used up all our subs and I’d started to wonder if I was going to get a chance to take an ovation and thank all the fans, but good old Phil Dowd showed me a red card so I had the stage all to myself when I went off. Thanks ref! Big Al was so chuffed he went all red in the face. Shame about the final result, but I had a really great day out. Went to bed with a big smile on my face.

Sunday Got a call from the club this afternoon – seems the boss is so happy with my work this week that he’s decided to reward me with a two week holiday! Woo hoo – no more training for me this season! This “good egg” business really has its benefits. All in all, I’m a very happy bunny.

The diary of Joseph Anthony Barton, aged 26 1/2

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A regular visitor to Tom Henning Ovrebo’s couch

Top 10 moments of the season..With the Premier League season almost done and dusted, there’s just time for us to give you our top 10 moments from the year so far. What fun!

10. Robinho’s geography lessonA decent “will he, won’t he” with a surprise ending with Robinho ending up at City. When he was unveiled, he told reporters that "On the last day, Chelsea made a great proposal and I accepted." "You mean Manchester, right?" they asked. "Yeah, Manchester, sorry!" said Robinho. Good one son!

9. Marouane Fellaini’s hair

Footballer by day, extra from Shaft/Mighty Boosh by night

8. Berbatov pays the penaltyWeak doesn’t even begin to describe the penalty Dimitar Berbatov took in the FA Cup semi final against Everton. Shocker.

7. Fuller goes all Ricky HattonWhen West Ham equalised against Stoke, Ricardo Fuller’s response was to slap team

mate Andy Griffin in the face! Fair enough.

6. "He absolutely rapes him"Alan Pardew’s interesting thoughts on Michael Essien’s football skills mean that he won’t be invited back to the MOTD sofa in a hurry. Good news, because it leaves more room for Gazza.

5. Macheda arrivesWho are ya? A question nobody asks Federico Macheda any more after the boy-man’s incredible last minute curler to beat Villa at Old Trafford.

4. 4-4sA season of classics. Arsenal v Tottenham, Chelsea v Liverpool, Liverpool v Arsenal – great for the neutrals!

3. The freedom of PompeyHarry Redknapp received the Freedom of the City of Portsmouth in a ceremony on 28 October. Given that he’d left for Tottenham on 26 October, the reception he received from the Pompey faithful could best be described as “mixed”.

2. Rafa’s rantAnyone who says that Fergie’s mind games don’t work just needs to read the transcript of Rafa’s mid-season rant. “I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early”. You tell ‘em Rafa.

1. Chelsea v BarcelonaThree words: Tom Henning Ovrebo. Classic! Calm down Didier, it’s only a commercial...

The diary of Joseph Anthony Barton, aged 26 1/2

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“what we have in mind is breakfast for 400,000”

wavy gravy at woodstock 1969

illus

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by M

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Den

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For most of the rest of this edition we decided to get our fix of all things festival. Previews of some of our favourites and some of our not so favourite. We found people who had been to them all. From canooing in the rain to singing along to radiohead back around to eating something they wish they hadn’t, we even spoke to somebody about an incident involving John Peel at reading in 1973...but we promised to keep that between us and them. over the next few pages we’ve put together, with the help of Virtual Festivals, a quick guide to the best UK fests this summer and then we get all detailed and take you to the places you should definitely be at this year.

We hope you enjoy it.

t.o.S

Wychwood Festival Cheltenham Racecourse – 29-31 May

This quaint Cheltenham festival is a mixture of great folk, world, roots and rock music with family entertainment and workshops. Around eighty acts are set to play this year’s intimate edition with good beers, ciders and food completing a great weekend getaway.

Isle of Wight Festival Seaclose Park, Newport, IOW – 12-14 June

Historically housing greats like Dylan, Hendrix and, erm, Kubb in the past, the Isle Of Wight Festival is only topped by Glastonbury in terms of festival history. Like a rural taxi driver, the three-day festival unashamedly mixes dad rock and pop between a main stage and a big top with The Prodigy, Neil Young and Stereophonics set for 2009.

Download Donington Park – 12-14 June

After taking the chalice from Monsters Of Rock, Download Festival is the latest historic metal and rock event to take place at the Donington Park raceway. The three-day behemoth boasts two outdoor stages and a tent of live music with the reformed Faith No More, Slipknot and Def Leppard all lined-up to tear your eardrums in 2009. The festival also has extreme sports displays, a five-a-side football pitch, a signing tent and a chill out area, if all the moshing gets too much.

“The sign of a good weekend!”

Glastonbury Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset - 24-28 June

When Michael Eavis invited some hippies onto his farm in the 70’s, he could’ve never envisioned the sprawling city of music, art, theatre, poetry and mud that now churns his pastures annually. Musically Glastonbury has something for everyone from dubstep and reggae to jazz to hop hop, while remaining culturally enlightening and politically active. Rolling green fields, hidden holistic therapies and mystical enlightenment, Glasto is impossible to describe – it just has to be seen.

Blissfields Festival Bradley Farm, Hampshire - 3-5 July

A former Best Small Festival winner at the UK Festival Awards, this Hampshire event is set to return after a year hiatus in 2008. Laura Marling has been given her first headline slot alongside Super Furry Animals and one lucky punter will be voted as President of the festival, which means getting the VIP treatment all weekend.

A Hop At The Farm Hop Farm, Kent – 3-5 July

Going back to the days of yore, A Hop At The Farm festival is moulded on the festivals of the 70’s with no advertising, no sponsorship and no VIP area. Expanding into a two-day event after the success of last year’s debut, you may just think you’re at Woodstock, if The Fratellis weren’t headlining.

T In The Park Balado Airfield, Kinross-shire – 10-12 July

Scotland’s biggest and most renowned festival has twice been honoured with the Best Major Festival gong at the UK Festival Awards and it’s easy to see why: world class bands, an unbeatable atmosphere and plenty of Tennants lager. Blur, Kings Of Leon, Snow Patrol and The Killers are set to headline in 2009 while the traditional ceilidh tent will make sure the Scottish heritage is accounted for too. T also has a Healthy T area, which allows revellers to eat well over the weekend – no deep fried Mars bars here.

Lounge On The Farm Merton Farm, Kent – 10-12 July

The best boutique bash in the Canterbury area, Lounge On The Farm sticks close to its roots by showcasing regional acts alongside locally sourced food, beers and ciders. An intimate crowd of just 5,000 will enjoy performances from the likes of Edwyn Collins, The Aliens and The Horrors.

Loop Festival Various, Brighton – 11-12 July

Readying the third edition of Loop, organisers will give Brighton another abundance of cutting edge and digital art as well as acts like Esser, Casiokids and Squarepusher. The event is split into two halves: LoopLive with live acts in the day and LoopLate – DJs that spin tunes into the early hours.

Larmer Tree Festival Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset – 15-19 July

Voted Best Family Festival in 2008, Larmer Tree is a five-day event that can quite easily be stretched into a mini holiday. An eclectic line-up of funk, world, jazz and dance are the perfect soundtrack to this slow-paced, culturally absorbing soiree. Holistic therapies, secret gardens and eccentric street theatre will make sure this is an event not to forget, whether you’re four or 45.

Glade Matterley Bowl, Winchester – 16-19 July

Some brilliant things have come out of Glastonbury (canoes, sofas and Amy Winehouse are said to have been pulled from the post-event mud), but Glade, which started off as the renegade dance tent at the festival, is definitely one of the best. Now a festival in its own right, the bash has an unquenchable thirst for breaks, psytrance, techno, jungle and other dance off-shoots as well as world and chill out music. Celebrating 21 years of acid house this summer, Glade has moved to Winchester so it can be louder and go on longer.

Latitude Henham Park, Suffolk – 16-19 July

Every culture vulture’s favourite summer retreat, Latitude is for the art inquisitive rather than just the music lovers. From the Pet Shop Boys to Passion Pit, established bands and exciting emerging artists are both in full supply. Festival-goers can also immerse themselves in art, comedy, literature, poetry, theatre, dance, sculpture, film and performance art - there’s even a BBC Radio 4 arena!

Secret Garden Party Secret location, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire - 23-26 July

Officially the Best Small Festival in the country, Secret Garden Party isn’t going to be staying secret for that much longer. Not that it’s going to turn into one of your Nan’s garden parties with its lace place mats, tea and cucumber sandwiches. Every year the organisers push the boundaries of what a festival is, this year they’re building two cities - Babylon and Eden both sides of a lake with a line-up of indie, funk, reggae and dance.

Global Gathering Long Marston Airfield - 24-25 July

This dance behemoth is showing no sign of slowing down. With The Prodigy, Pendulum and Orbital already confirmed as headliners it’s enough to whet the appetite of any raver (along with the mandatory bottle of water too) but it’s the strength and depth of the line-up that makes 50,000 return to Stratford Upon Avon each year.

Camp Bestival Lulworth Castle, Dorset – 24-26 July

A family-orientated version of Rob da Bank’s ever popular Bestival, Camp Bestival is the modern version of a 1950’s holiday camp: blue coat entertainers, music and WI tea ladies. There will also be a sports day, jousting, story telling and an extensive children’s entertainment programme as well as some of the hottest live acts and DJs around, no wonder Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips described it as “perfect.”

Hard Rock Calling Hyde Park, London 26-28 July

London’s dad rock excursion extends to three days for 2009 with Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and The Killers set to get middle-aged gents grooving in Hyde Park. Away from the music there is little else in the way of entertainment, so expect bars to be manned by men in mid-life crisis leather.

Cambridge Folk Festival Cherry Hall, Cambridge – 30 July – 2 August

One of the oldest festivals in the country, Cambridge Folk regularly sells out on reputation alone with organisers building a line-up of emerging and established acts from the scenes as well as a few non-folk favourites. The Zutons, Bellowhead and the reformed Edward II are among this year’s acts.

Standon Calling Standon, Hertforshire – 31 July – 2 August

Held in the grounds of a 16th century home, Standon Calling is a three-day party that boasts everything from Femi Kuti to Tony Christie musically as well an underwater rave – yes, DJs in a swimming pool!

Field Day Victoria Park, London – 1 August

London’s ‘psychedelic summer fete’ takes its inspiration from village fairs of old with sack races and whack-the-rat style games accompanying music from the likes of Mogwai, Erol Alkan and more indie offerings.

"find the bands with the keytars. You can't beat a good keytar."

Sonisphere Knebworth House – 1-2 August

Nothing will ever top Robbie Williams’ residency at Knebworth House – he had Kelly Osbourne in support for goodness sake – but the inaugural Sonisphere is certainly going to test the sturdiness of the stately home’s stained-glass windows. Headliners Metallica and Linkin Park will be turning the volume up to 11 with DJs, walkabouts, freak shows and VIP packages making sure revellers crawl away from the event feeling like they’ve spent the weekend partying with Motley Crue.

The Big Chill Eastnor Castle - 6-9 August

The daddy of the boutique festival, The Big Chill has spawned many copycats and look-alikes but its reputation and variety mean it is still one of the best out there. The diversity of the musical acts means that you’re guaranteed to see someone you’ve never heard of, while the infamous arts and crafts hill means if you don’t want to do anything but chill, well that’s fine too.

Green Man Festival Glanusk Park, Wales - 21-23 August

You fancy a holiday this summer don’t you? What? You want to squeeze in a festival too? Not with a credit crunch on you won’t! Or maybe you will, Green Man is held in the spectacular Brecon Beacons and this year for an extra £30 you can extend your stay for a further three days. Bon Iver and Four Tet are among the acts appearing with plenty of folk, Americana and more to round off the week.

V Festival Hylands Park, Chelmsford & Weston Park, Staffordshire – 22-23 August.

Like your loaded best mate who always had the Nike Airs instead of the Hi-Tecs, V Festival is the D-list celebrity getaway that has the cash to flash which allows them to book whoever they want - plus 30 something crowd pleasers: Alesha Dixon, Lady Ga Ga etc. Held over two sites, one in Essex, one in Staffordshire, over the same weekend, V gives festival-goers two chances to be bombarded by onsite advertising while watching bands - there isn’t much else on offer entertainment-wise.

Beachdown Festival Devil’s Dyke, East Sussex – 22-25 August

Back for its 2nd year, Beachdown Festival is the ideal Bank Holiday getaway. Nestled in an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the event has 4 stages of eclectic music as well as film and comedy from nearby Brighton and around the globe. Grace Jones, The Zutons and Norman Jay are set to play this year, with festival chiefs encouraging DJs to spin sets that are out of their usual comfort zone.

South West Four Clapham Common – 29 August

London’s premier dance festival is back with the return of legendary DJ pairing Sasha And Digweed taking to the decks for some exclusive headlining duties. The Clapham event will have four stages of pumping music from some of the world’s best mixologists before an official after party will take punters through until the early hours.

Reading and Leeds Festivals Little Johns Farm, Reading & Branham Park, Leeds – 28-30 August

The biggest rock weekenders in the country, Reading and Leeds are the infamous teenage testosterone-fuelled riots that are set to be headlined by NME cover stars Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and Radiohead this summer. Musically driven, the festivals will feature established, emerging and legendary acts from rock, indie and metal with a comedy and alternative entertainment tent onsite too. The event however is notorious for the after hour parties in the campsites – no sleep til Branham.

Creamfields Daresbury, Cheshire – 29-30 August

Originally a dance-orientated affair, Creamfields diversified its line-up to coincide with its 10th birthday and it has since become one of the only successful dance-indie hybrid events in existence. Tiesto, Basement Jaxx, Dizzee Rascal and Friendly Fires are among this year’s acts with club nights like Bugged Out, Tidy and Ape all hosting arenas.

Get Loaded In The Park Clapham Common – 30 August

One of the only reasons to get up early on a Sunday morning, Get Loaded In The Park is the festival alarm clock for London’s music lovers. 20,000 fans regularly make this a sell out and with Orbital lining up their only London festival date of 2009, things don’t look like they’re going to change.

Bestival Robin Hill, Newport, IOW – 11-13 September

Rob da Bank’s hedonistic escape on the Isle of Wight has quickly cemented itself as one of the hottest tickets of the festival season. Fans have an unrivalled enthusiasm for fancy dress while bosses handpick an eclectic line-up of legends (Kraftwerk), DJs (2 Many DJs), bands (Elbow) and emerging stars (Passion Pit). Bestival is a true weekend of tomfoolery and nonsense, nestled in a quaint country park – bliss.

End Of The Road Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset - 11-13 September

The last summer soiree, End Of The Road is well worth the wait. The Dorset getaway, which is nestled in the quaint, Victorian Larmer Tree Gardens, is an explosion of folk, Americana and the odd wandering peacock. Organisers encourage artists to try new things and play longer sets, while the audience relax and enjoy the array of organic, local and fair trade food and beers.

Words: Dan Fahey

orget toning up for beach bodies – you want to

start thinking about festival legs. There are far too many attractive legs at festivals; it's like a gigantic pit of octopuses and if your pins aren't up to scratch – you may as well ebay your tickets now. Kate Moss, that old gal started off the stressful trend of tiny hot pants with wellies, which has since, frankly, spiralled out of control. There's not one modest woman on the field. So you arrive on site with all

the gear and no idea, hair with just the right amount of wave, fresh faced and donning your most 'rock' band t–shirt and those dreaded hot pants. Day One yes, is a joy, but what about Day Three? Day Four? When you're about to crack an egg on your head of grease. Fear not, for amidst the mud, sweat and tears, there are methods of damage control. Your tent is your refuge. A home from home. Those zipped flaps are your very own Stars in Their Eyes puff of smoke, from which you emerge transformed. You can do the festival thing and not care what you look

HoW to LooK GooD WItH DIrty HAIr AnD WELLIES

like bla bla bla, or you can be strategic and realise that evidence will be posted all over facebook, irrevocable records that will come back to haunt you. Here are some tips from head to toe on keeping up the festival chic and avoiding the fashion faux pas:

To hat or not to hat is the question that plagues the fashionista's existence, because although they look great in the shop, the only people who can, in actuality pull them off without the circus connotation, are Keira Knightly and Sienna Miller. Festivals however, present the delightful opportunity to wear hats without looking like an absolute try hard. Festivals are a poor man's Ascot and the possibilities are endless: straw, bowler, trilby, visor, ironic rude boy cap for the boys. Daisy chains, flowers and plaits around the head are another festival privilege; outside the field you'd be a weirdo who probably worships Stone Henge, but inside is hippy heaven where daisies, daffodils, heck, weeds if they tickle your fancy, are all

festival fashion

By Sarah Raphael

‘‘Amidst the mud,

sweat and tears, there are methods of damage control. Your tent is your

refuge’’

glorified and appreciated forms of headdress.

If I could offer you one piece of advice for the future, cordless hair straighteners would be it. It's about premeditated messy hair, not actual messy hair. The difference is colossal. I would go so far as to compare it to the difference between Bush and Obama. Because it's all very well embracing festival nonchalance if you have naturally gorgeous hair that only gets more gorgeous in the rain and mud, but for most of us who turn into either drowned rats or Diana Ross – they are an essential.

The sunglasses debate is really a two horse race; wayfarers or aviators. Not particularly original but if you can think»

of an alternative, like wearing your nan's light sensitive specs, feel free. Festivals are one of the only places left on the earth where nu rave is still acceptable, so neon variants of wayfarers and aviators are rife. A big trend this year will inevitably be geek chic plastic glasses, a useful prop to conceal your filthy mug. Beneath Clark Kent's geek chic glasses is Superman, beneath yours will be Superminger, but no one would

ever suspect.

Now down to the nitty gritty: Waterproofs are a necessary evil, but a stylish alternative is a Barbour jacket, with the sleeves rolled up a notch. Denim is none too practical, but when the sun is shining, a denim jacket or waistcoat over bold print or floral dresses are on the right side of the 1990s. Old school band t–shirts are only allowed if you've at least heard of the band you're promoting on your

bosom. If you're really tuned into trend, show a bit of midriff if you can stomach it, with high–waisted denim shorts and a Spice Girls crop top, the kind you used to get at Tammy Girl when you were 12. Tartan shirts, hoodies pulled up, scarves and nautical mini dresses are good staples.

Accessorise with lots of bracelets and weird rings that may or may not be capable of magic. If you're unsure on how to put it all together, take a look at Alexa Chung's festival ensembles; she may be a demi–god who'd look

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festival fashion

good in a bin bag, but the girl's got style – steal it shamelessly. You may end up looking so hot that you fall in love with your reflection in a mud puddle.

If you buy one festival specific thing this year – for God's sake make it a bum bag. The question is not, 'why on earth would I buy a bum bag?' The question is why wouldn't you? It's practical, it's unstealable, it's got compartments, it sits around your waist like a loyal friend and it's about the only retro thing that hasn't already been done to death. Mark my words; bum bags will reign again for sure.

To complete the look, rock out your dad's Addidas shell suit jacket, stripes a plenty. Just be aware around campfires. But don't team this look with short shorts or hi–tops and socks.

Bring some good solid undies. None of this silky, sexy malarkey; real nana pants in case you wee a bit when Kings of Leon come on. At any event, big white pants are a good grounder, you can rely on them like a good friend.

If your wellies are a bit roomy, whack on some knee high socks underneath. Slightly oversized wellies are also quite useful for smuggling alcohol. Word of advice though, don't go mental on flower or heart printed ones, it ain't impressin' no one. Act your age in decent bottle green, black, grey or brownFlorescent face paint on the

other hand, is a great way to relive your youth and recognise your clan by their markings in the darkness. Slightly more edgy footwear are Dr Martens; they'll look their best with the floral dress and a denim jacket.The boys are always scruffy,

dirty and a bit smelly, but that's their charm, all they need is a bullet Lynx. They will not show you the same mercy. Yes festivals are all about looking like you don't give a damn, it's all about living in the moment, giving yourself to an epic journey through musical creation. All I'm saying is: enjoy that journey all the more with decent hair and flattering attire. It might all be an acid induced haze, you might not have the foggiest memory of what you looked like, but facebook will.

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The Other Side guide to the smaller festivals: Had enough of losing your friends, your mobile and your mind in a muddy swamp of drug-fuelled despair? Check out some of these smaller festivals for a more manageable time…

Otra Vida OxfordSouth Parks, Oxford - Sat 6th June 12pm-7pm

www.otravidaoxford.co.uk

This one-off South-American themed fiesta is giving all profits from its ticket sales to a Peruvian charity to build an orphanage in 2010. Considering this is its first and only year, the event is packed with some pretty impressive performers from Oxford and beyond. Listen to Gentleman’s Dub Club and The Molotovs on the main stage as you look out over Oxford’s spires, dance to the Foreign Beggars in the Day of the Dead tent, or chill out and listen to some storytelling from Spoken Ink between the trees in the Rainforest Area.

Mad Ferret FestivalPlatt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester Fri 12th June: 5-11pm & Sat 13th June: 12-11pm

www.madferretfestival.com

This festival was started in 2007 by a group of students in Manchester inspired by their experiences at festivals across Europe. The name is a play on the ‘mad for it’ motto of the Manchester music scene, which they have very quickly become a pretty important part of. For such a small festival, their line-up is massive. Last year saw the weird and wonderful Lee Scratch Perry and this time around they have managed to muster Roots Manuva with a ten-piece live band, The Streets and Finley Quaye.

Out to Graze FestivalIckford Rd, Shabbington, Nr. Thame, Oxfordshire - Fri 12-Sun 14th June

www.outtograze.co.uk

Although 2009 is the fourth year running for this Oxfordshire dance festival, it has only recently poked its head up from out of the underground. Found near the lovely village of Thame, about 12 miles outside of Oxford, its individual stages and areas are curated by successful promoters like Simple & Slide and Bassmentality. This year will see the festival branch out a bit from a straightforward dance party, as it invites its visitors to win booze and free entry to club nights bobbing for apples, limbo dancing and sack racing at the Out to Graze Olympics.

Truck FestivalHill Farm, Oxfordshire - July 25th and 26th

www.thisistruck.com

Now in its twelfth year, Truck is one of the more established small festivals, but it still manages to retain a chilled out and local feel. The event is still family run and the food is provided by the Rotary Club, with the neighbouring Vicar selling ice cream. This year local heroes Supergrass will be headlining, but, as usual, the joy of Truck will be discovering a host of great new bands you had never heard of before.

2000 TreesUpcote Farm, Withington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire - Fri 17th and Sat18th July

www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk

This is an ethical and ecological festival set up by six friends determined to counteract the corporate and wasteful attitude they encountered at other larger scale events. From the bio-diesel to the bands, everything at 2000 Trees will be as locally sourced as possible, and the limit of 2,500 tickets should make for an intimate way to see great bands like British Sea Power, Six Nation State and Blood Red Shoes. The ticket price also puts other festivals to shame at only £47 for a weekend with camping, and a bargainous £75 for a joint ticket to this event and its sister, Y-Not festival in the Peak District.

JUNETime for an ice cream and all those conversations about which festival you are going to. What you didn’t get tickets? Fear not, plenty to do and plenty of tickets left. We are in a crunch at the moment

Isle of Wight

Downlaod

Rockness

Sonar

Hurricaine

Glasto

On the Cheap

www.theothersidemag.co.uk

Isle of wight12 - 14 JUnE

Like your lineups bland and obvious, your lager tasteless and your entire festival branded by a corporation you hate? then this is the one for you. the Isle of Wight festival is up there with the V festivals in terms of colourless, corporate dogshite, the Leicester Square of festivals, organised by uncaring fuckwits who don’t seem to possess a love of the phenomena at all.

Everything artsy and wonderful about a festival – a door standing alone in the middle of a field at Secret Garden Party; a lush Berber tea tent at Bestival with purple velvet chairs and rugs on the floor; six foot high letters spelling out LoVE at Glastonbury – are stripped from the experience, so that it barely resembles an experience at all, just some bands playing on a stage in a field. the magic and wonder, too, of unexpected happenings, like hidden discos or campfires or a spontaneous jam from assembled musicians in the small hours, are totally absent.

the punters are an unfortunate collection of idiots who realised a few years ago that hippies had it right and gathering outdoors to camp, listen to music and drink beer in the sunshine

was A Fun thing to Do. you get proper festival hedonists – pill popping, hardcore ravers – then you get these chumps, who think it’s fun to drink a case of beer, shout lairily at passing women then fall asleep in the sun. By 2am, the entire festival is silent, sleeping off their beer binges.

12-14 June

the festival is held in a park that resembles a sportsground, so you don’t get that fantastic feeling of being out in the proper countryside that you get at Glastonbury or the lake at Secret Garden Party or the beautiful Brecon Beacons, where the Green Man festival is held. Also, festivals should smell of cannabis (as well as portaloos). Here Stella Artois and the stench of corporate soul-suckage is the order of the day.

Plus sides? Ahem. they boast an impressive meteorological record; whether it’s just luck or the time of year, the festival is almost always a sunny weekend. the park it’s held in has a very well manicured lawn, which is nice. And then, there is the music. not surprisingly the line-up at this corporate-fest tends to be pretty mainstream, but its corporate nature means they can pull some big old bands. richard Ashcroft, Coldplay and the mighty Foo Fighters have played previously, and this year boasts Maximo Park, the Prodigy, Stereophonics, razorlight, White Lies, neil young and the Pixies. you can also see Paolo nutini and Beverley Knight – if you get this far you’ll be an expert at putting your head in your hands and muttering ‘Christ alive’ anyway.

Getting thereIt’s a mission, but a relatively fun one. Getting on a boat to go to a festival makes it much more exciting, and the chintzy seaside town feel to the place feels very English. you can get across the water from either Southhampton or Portsmouth – the latter preferable because the station is right next to the port. once you’re in newport there are buses to take you to Seaclose Park.

Insider TipMaybe just don’t go. or escape to the nearby town for a pint of proper beer (15 minute walk or there is a shuttle bus) and a respite from the sanitised dystopia that is the Isle of Wight festival

words: Chloe George

Isle of wight

june

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le o

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htthe bandsMaximo Park, The Prodigy, Stereophonics, Razorlight, White Lies, Neil Young and Pixies

the bandsThe ProdigySlipknotLimp Bizkit

downloadIf Download was a superhero it would be a leather-clad veteran rock broad with supersonic powers to transmit kaleidoscopic visions into the most hardened of scowlers. Allow yourself to be piloted to the spiritual homeland of rock meets death-and-black-metal, otherwise known as Donington Park, Derby, for three enduring days, come torrential rain or blistering sunshine. renowned for its monstrous line-ups, any band worth their salt has rocked out to Download festivalgoers. the quality this year will no different, with Pendulum, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot and the Prodigy among the number of baking hot acts confirmed. If all that hasn’t at least whetted your appetite, this just might give you heartburn (the good kind, the kind you get after a real good slap-up, gut-lurching feast) – a newly reunited Faith no More have been

announced as a headliner and Download will be their only UK gig in 2009.

Hazy MemorySomething unexpected always happens at Download. Whether it is the announcement that Korn vocalist Jonathan Davis has been hospitalised, Limp Bizkit pulling out suddenly or Soil getting lost on route to

Donington and missing their main stage performance. All this unforeseen array

of drama and let downs may seem to enter into the realms negativity but hey it’s rock’n’roll and the hardcore grandaddy’s always make up for it.

Insider TipStart practicing your camping skills now. Knowing how to put up a tent when

your sober is a hell of a lot different

than knowing how to when your plastered.

words:Danielle

Clark

12-14 JUNE

june

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rock

ness

rock ness

the bands Placebo, The Flaming Lips, Super Furry AnimalsDeep in the cosmic Dores on the banks of Loch ness, Scotland, the new kid on Britain’s music festival block will be hosting one eyeball popping, mind-altering event, and for the first time in their four year reign they’ll be spreading their certified fabulousness over three days. Fusing superstar DJ’s, class indie acts and electronica – summer has ever looked so bright, (this is meant in a metaphorically sense only. It is advised that you pack your anorak, wellies, suncream and shades. the phrase “never trust the weatherman” has never rung so true when it comes to rock ness).

With bands like the Flaming Lips, Basement Jaxx, the Prodigy, Super Furry Animals and Placebo on the bill, and that’s before the sun settles behind the highlands, there is also a delightful array of parties planned. on Friday, Soma records leads the way with what may just be the most anticipated bash of the weekend, featuring the likes of Funk D’Void, the Black Dog, Mark Henning , octogen, Mr Copy, Harvey McKay and Decimal.

Hazy Memorythe wedding season is alive and well at rock ness, last year the ‘Big Love’ inflatable church that was located on site at Dores, opened its doors for the weekend with mock minister ‘the rev Duncan Pritchard’ conducting make-believe weddings. thus, what happens at rock ness can truly stay at rock ness.

Insider Tipthis year rock ness is forcing us to put on our decisive hats on. yes, they have decided to have the Prodigy and Placebo play at the same time. those mean festival organisers. So discuss with your mates who you all want to see more – flip a coin, arm wrestle, it really doesn’t matter, just make a decision and stick to it because petty squabbles is a definite buzz killer. Let the wars begin.

12-14 JUNE

THE BANDSOrbital, Grace Jones, Animal Collective & Little Boots

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sonar

Sonar is always one of the highlights of the festival calendar. not just a great selection of electronic music but sun, sea and

a magical city. Escape the clutches of the beaches and you’ll find a music and digital art festival held in the heart of Barcelona. Sonar is a melting pot of professionals wanting to share their new ideas and an audience who are seeking new sounds, and imagery, whilst being able to enjoy some of the top names in the electronic music world.

Getting thereFly or if you can be bothered it’s a nice drive through France.

Insider TipStay up all night and first thing in the morning head to Guadi’s Sagrada Família (C/Mallorca 401), when there’s hardly anybody there it is quite incredible.

this year the festival will take place on 18, 19 and 20 June.

June

> H

urric

aine

hurricaineAround 60,000 people gather to celebrate one of the biggest events in Germany’s music scene, yes there is more to Deutschland’s music than Kraftwerk and Beethoven! When? the Hurricane Festival 2008 takes place from June the 20th to the 22nd Where? the festival takes place in rural Lower Saxony niedersachsen, located in the midst between Hamburg, Hanover and Bremen. How much? tickets cost 115 €– including 5 € for a rubbish bag and a chipMüllpfand (yeah, me too?). Line Up radiohead, the Kooks, Elbow, Foo Fighters and the Chemical Brothers (sorry did I say Germany’s music scene earlier..I’m stumped at Kraftwerk)

you can either rent a room in the nearby village (10km) or bring a tent Getting there Fly to northern Germany. From there take the train, according to reports your car will be scratched, stolen or fall victim to heavy rainfall and you will be stuck in traffic that starts 200 km from the festival. Insider TipThe festival’s unofficial currency is beer (in cans – glass bottles are forbidden everywhere!). Always carry some of it with you, even if you detest drinking beer. At the checkpoints the security will relieve you of any fluid that is outside of your body or a paper carton (just one and no more than 1.5 litre).

glastoinnumbers

> 2,300campervans> 2,485miles oftoiletroll> 707casualties

A HAzy MEMory oF GLASto

glastonbury

Glastonbury has become more than just another music festival; it’s an

institution. We thought that the biggest greenfield festival in the world deserved its own timeline...

1970The first ever Glastonbury festival was held at Worthy Farm. Although back then it was known as the Pilton Festival, and only 1,500 people went along. It was headlined by tyrannosaurus rex…who later became t.rex. not a bad start.1981A new Pyramid Stage was constructed from telegraph poles and metal sheeting this year, which handily doubled up as a hay barn and cowshed in the winter.1985 this year was memorable for its rainfall amongst other things. Worthy Farm being a dairy farm most of the year, meant that it wasn’t just mud that washed down the hill…1990 1990 was a big one, but violence between the security guards and new age travellers led to the organisers taking a year off.

1994Apparently some bands played this year, but more importantly, a new record was set when 826 people, juggling at least three objects each, kept 2,478 objects in the air.1995A lot of people got to enjoy performances from the likes of oasis and Jeff Buckley this year, mainly due to the security fence being breached on the Friday. Estimates suggested there might have been enough fence-jumpers to double the size of the festival. 1997 Again, a muddy one I’m afraid. Many ‘festival goers’…well, didn’t ‘go’ in the end. Should’ve though, radiohead gave one of the greatest ever Glasto performances on the Saturday.2002After years of fence jumping, they went and built a really really big one in 2002, and the lower attendance made for a much more relaxed atmosphere.

by nathan may2009lineup

(announced to date)

>Animalcollective>Blur>BruceSpringsteen>Crosby,Stillsand Nash>Doves>Echo And TheBunnymen>EmilianaTorrini>Florence AndThe Machine>FranzFerdinand>Fleet Foxes>Kasabian>Lady GaGa>Lily Allen>Neil Young>The TingTings>white lies

2003Widely thought to be one of the most successful Glastonbury’s ever, revenue raised for good causes from ticket and commercial license sales topped £1 million, half of which went to oxfam, Greenpeace and Water Aid.2004the tickets sold out in 24 hours this year, and the website managed to rack up two million attempted connections within the first five minutes of the tickets going on sale. 2005Enter the silent disco. this idea was conceived by Emily Eavis, in an effort to keep the noise down for the locals, while the revellers can continue to ‘get on down’ late into the night.2007A crackdown on crime this year meant the number of arrests skyrocketed. one of the more unusual crimes was the impersonation of stewards, I’m not sure why.2008Michael Eavis questioned his motivation this year, after one of his cows died from ingesting a metal tent peg left in the soil after the previous years event. Lucky for us he got over it, and now offers biodegradable pegs to the happy campers.2009this year the festival takes place between 24-28 June, and the tickets have sold out already. It promises to be a belter with headline performances from the reforming Blur and “the Boss” Bruce Springsteen.

Festivals on the Cheap

The best way to secure a ticket is working at a larger event, so get online and start applying for onsite jobs. Now is the time to be contacting Oxfam for stewarding positions, which could be your ticket to Glastonbury, Glade, Latitude, Reading, Leeds, Bestival and more.

Volunteer’s roles include checking tickets, watching for fires and showing people where to camp, with workers expected to do three shifts. But some of the slots are likely to be out of the way before the festival even begins. Plus stewards are fed and watered while they work and given time to go and watch bands too.

otherwise you could put all that time spent in the bar to good use by pulling pints in return for a ticket or even turn your hand at litter picking. the latter isn’t exactly glamorous, but think of all the loot you could get your hands on after the festival has been drained of its inhabitants: mobiles, wallets and erm, empty beer cans. the Wombles made a living from finding the sweetcorn among the shit and you could do the same, plus you get a free ticket.

Student discounts are also available for certain events, with festivals like Glade happy to knock off £25 to encourage attendance. Deposit schemes have also become popular and although it doesn’t actually mean getting money off a ticket price, it does mean you can secure a pass when you get paid and pay the remaining balance when the next one fills your account.

If these are still out of your price range you might want to think about events like Godiva Festival in the Midlands or Strawberry Fair in Cambridge, where all the action is free.

With the ticket sorted, the next step is getting to the festival itself. the cheapest way is to share a car and, if you don’t drive yourself or can’t get a space in a mate’s car, try Liftshare.com - a site dedicated to carpooling to festivals.

other cheap ways to getting to the festival include coaches and trains with Mega Bus and Mega train boasting inner-city travel from £1. Prices rise as seats get booked up, so get in there early. national Express can match the Mega Bus costs, but again it’s first come, first served.

rail tickets also become cheaper, the earlier they are booked, so get them as soon as you get your festival ticket. Students are also entitled to a 1/3 off with a rail card and it also means you can relax with a beer once you’ve got a seat.

With the ticket and travel sorted, it’s all about surviving the weekend with little more than a stinking hangover on the Monday. So, essentials first: booze. Lager, cider and spirits are not cheap once onsite and bottles are a big no-no with security, even if you’ve lodged it under your gusset like an indiscrete erection. Canned beer offers are always a winner for the campsite but for wandering around the festival itself, boxed wine or a spirit decanted into a plastic bottle are the cheapest ways to get obliterated.

As for lining the stomach, forget the £7 tofu and chickpea pancakes on sale and pre-buy all of your grub when you’re stocking up on alcohol. you’re going to be drunk when you eat it anyway, so don’t try to be ambitious or gourmet when buying it. Pitta bread, crisps and chocolate will last the weekend, so think of other imperishable items like pasties, which if sealed, will keep until day two or three, even if your cash doesn’t.

words: Samantha Merrydew

Watcha at Glastonbury

Festival season, arguably the most anticipated (and the muddiest) event of the musical calendar and the countdown has just begun. Whether Glastonbury, V or t in the Park is your musical bag, get into the groove with watcha, the must have accessory for the savvy and fashion conscious festival goer.

With watcha’s easy read LCD screen it’s guaranteed you will never miss your favourite band again. Plus, this funky wrist watch will fight off any amount of rain or mud that gets thrown your way, with its wipe clean and waterproof design.

Pleasing festival goers of all ages, the electric bright silicone watch available in ten different shades (with some surprise limited edition colours on their way) is the only thing guaranteed to survive the season and exclusively available to buy at the Serendipity store at Glastonbury!

www.watcha.me.uk £9.95

JULYNobody works in July. Offices seem to go quiet, schools break up and everyone leaves the country for two weeks. Not going anywhere? Stay and go to a festival..or if you like bugger off and go to a festival.

Garden Fest

Roskilde

The London Ones

Festivals on the Blag

Exit

Latitude

Benicassim

The Big Chill

SGP

www.theothersidemag.co.uk

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Garden FestivalPetrčane, a fishing village in Croatia

Last year’s unexpected triumph arrived in the shape of an early evening performance from enigmatic disco-house act Crazy P. Despite an extremely hot afternoon, the band roused even the most lethargic attendees with their anthemic Sun Science. Its reprise of Sunshine makes me feel better / Sunshine makes me feel this way summed up the collective sentiment of those gathered at the main stage, old and new friends exchanging hugs and vowing never to bother with rainy UK festivals again.

Later, there was a power cut affecting some of the stage lighting and – more worryingly – all of the sound. Unflustered, leading lady Danielle Moore joked and bantered with the crowd. With no fix in place some ten minutes later, the band continued their set without amplification. on paper, it should have been a disaster. In reality, it was a festival highlight. the band maintained the crowd’s energy such that when the sound was restored, the effect was akin to the serotonin-fuelled elation I expect is experienced by extreme sportsmen. Arm-flailing, beer-soaked magic.

Who?A combination of internationally acclaimed DJs, including Gilles Peterson, Greg Wilson and rainer trüby and live acts, such as the Haggis Horns and Soil and “Pimp” Sessions. these acts are spread across a club, an outdoor stage, a terrace overlooking the beach and a boat which sets sail on the glistening Adriatic.

3 to 12 July 2009

Garden Festival

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Insider tipyour general pass gets you access to the main festival site, comprising the main stage, a dancefloor terrace by the beach and plenty of stalls, bars and seating areas. tickets for the afterparties at the Barbarella’s Discotheque club and for the Argonaughty boat parties are sold separately and sell out quickly, well in advance of the start of the festival itself. Book plenty of these now before it’s too late. the boat parties are a fantastically successful, albeit unlikely, combination of pounding dance music and stunning scenery – most make friends for the festival and beyond whilst onboard the Argonaughty. Similarly, the afterparties continue well into the small hours and attract DJs you won’t otherwise see as part of the main festival programme.

If you purchase extra tickets and change your mind on the day, they’ll almost certainly be snapped up at face value (or more) by those with less foresight than yourself. once you’ve been to one of these addtional parties, though, it’s unlikely you’ll surpass any opportunity to attend another. words: Sarah Chapman

Getting therethe nearest airport is zadar (20 minutes by car), followed by Split (90 minutes) or zagreb (3 hours). the festival organisers offer airport transfers, subject to demand – visit their website for more information. Many choose to start their holiday elsewhere in Eastern Europe – train travel and car hire are both reasonably priced in this area.

images: Kayleigh Ann Witt

the bandsNick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Coldplay, Fleet Foxes, Friendly Fires, Madness, Oasis, Kanye West and Yeah Yeah Yeahs

roskilde

there was just something about roskilde Festival. Perhaps it was the fact that there were only 3,000 Brits there, perhaps it was the amazing music, mind blowing food (a whole cow being barbequed was especially wonderful) and general good times feeling that was blowing around the camp.

It’s more than your standard festival. the campsite opens up about four days before the music starts and there’s enough to do while you wait for the big guns to come out.

there’s a stage (Pavilion Junior) for up and coming nordic bands – think Sondre Lerche, Kings of Convenience and royksopp. Add a cinema, stalls and plenty of food, a swimming lake, a fishing lake and hot weather you can see why it’s worth turning up early. Also, arrive late and be sure to miss out on the good spots in the camp sites.

Getting thereFly or take the ferry. roskilde is about an hour away from Copenhagen and you can take a train straight to the roskilde Festival station from the airport.

the gates to the festival open on Sunday 28 June 2009 at 8.00am and but the music doesn’t start until the thursday.

Insider Tiprecycle your glass bottles to get money off your next drinks. Better still save the ones up your have at

your tent and sell them to kids running around

the festival trying to make a

buck at a lower

rate

than you would if

you bothered to carry them to the bar yourself.

roskilde ”Better still save the ones up your have at your tent and sell them to kids running around the festival trying to make a buck”

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We’ve got four pairs to give away at our Event on Friday May 29th. Be at Bloomsbury bowl from 7.30pm to be in with a chance of winning.

Win tickets to Roskilde

The London ones....Don’t want to extend your oyster past a one day travelcard? the perfect answer is staying close to home for a days worth of music. London has a plethora of parks, all of which seem to have been invaded by festivals these days. Choose wisely some of the London festivals are a sham and overcrowded rip offs. others are worth checking out.

Wireless Festival Hyde Park London, 4-5 July

Love standing in Hyde Park surrounded by city boys and girls an O2 truck and a bunch of chavs blurting out Katy Perry on the Karaoke machine? Then the Wireless Festival is for you. This year Basement Jaxx, Dizzee Rascal and The Streets are headlining so get ready for lairy blokes downing pints of Carling and pushing past you to get closer to their boy Mike Skinner.

Recent additions to the bill include Lady Sovereign and N-Dubz.

Sounds like a field day for Simon Amstell.

Our advice. Stay away. Sit in your garden, put on some decent music and relax with a BBQ, don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Field Day Victoria Park, Sat 1st August

The heart of East London will be transformed into a Village Fete; ‘Village Mentality’, a Village Green area within the festival will supply the masses with some countrified fun and games away from sound systems and stages. Try your luck on the tombola, crack a few nuts on the coconut shy - or just sit on some haybales and stuff your face with homemade cake. Plus there’s music too from the likes of Mogwai, Mystery Jets and Little Boots. It’s a whole lot nicer than being squashed at Hyde Park.

Lovebox Victoria Park, 18-19 July

Born from Groove Armada’s London nightclub residency of the same name, Lovebox Weekender has sprung from a one-day affair into a two-day party in East London’s Victoria Park. This year the line up is formidable with Duran Duran, NERD, Doves and the unmissable Fat Freddy’s Drop. There’s even space for Mighty Boosh favourite Gary Numan. Plus an outdoor bowling championships!

Hard Rock Calling Hyde Park 26-28 June

It’s time for a ho-down in Hyde Park, put on your check shirt and cowboy hat and get dancing to Springsteen, Neil Young and The Killers. Plus ex-hobo Seasick Steve and wannabee hobo’s The Kooks. A word of advice, you can’t take drinks into the festival and it’s a good four quid for a pint in there. So do as the family does and take a picnic, M & S freshly squeezed OJ is the perfect hideout for your spirit and doesn’t look out of place next to the houmous and sliced carrots.

ExitNovi Sad, Serbia

What?

A dance-heavy annual summer music festival set in an 18th Century Fort

Gigantic, world dominating-sized big ideas are not uncommon among students – they just normally fall by the wayside as soon as Neighbours starts. Which is why it is particularly impressive that, in 2000, three

Serbian students grabbed their idea of holding a massive music festival in an 18th century fort by the short an curlies, took it off the couch, out the front door, and actually turned it into one of Europe’s most popular annual music events. Daytime Australian soap opera’s clearly haven’t made it to Southeastern Europe. These three precocious young folk created EXIT: a four-day extravaganza in the hot Serbian summer, which has, over the past decade, topped various polls as the best festival in the continent, and seen world class acts like Paul Weller and Primal Scream play to throngs of loved-up sun-burnt revellers. For band-fans, the line-up is certainly lacking by Glasto or Rock Werchter standards; think a couple of US/UK rock/indie chart toppers, perhaps the odd punk legend, and the rest a mix of international house DJ’s and drum and bass heavyweights. But with temperatures in Serbia in July soaring, and the breathtaking backdrop of the Petrovaradin Fortress by the Danube, EXIT is an attractive prospect for a sunny hedonistic break. This year

marks the event’s 10th anniversary and organisers are promising several surprises, so get in their first and grab one of the Early Bird festival passes that are currently going for £72. If you fancy a break from sodden fields and wellies that seem to unfortunately go hand in hand with UK festivalling, then Exit is a top option for a unique festival experience.

Getting there

For a return flight from London to Belgrade you’re looking at the best part of £300.

A taxi from Belgrade airport to Novi Sad, costs around 50-80 Euros and takes about an hour.

Those looking to take public transport need to get a bus from the airport to Belgrade centre (15km away) – there is a bus stop is next to Terminal 1 and another in front of the Arrivals entrance. And then get a bus from Belgrade centre to Novi Sad.

A Hazy Memory

Realising that the first aid tent was much busier than the bar: masses of Brits had got so inebriated that they couldn’t feel the scorchingly hot sand burning their feet until they all needed medical attention.

Insider Tip

Invest in some good flip flops

words: Ruth Ellen Davis

9-12 July

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The BandsAndy C & MC GQ, Arctic Monkeys, Chase & Status (Drum n Bass/Dub), Fabio & Grooverider & MC Rage (Drum n Bass), KoRn Kraftwerk,Madness, Manic Street Preachers, Carl Cox (Techno/House), John Digweed (Progressive house), Richie Hawtin (Techno)

“Gigantic, world dominating-sized big ideas are not uncommon among students”

Festivals on the Blag.

Believe it or not, but there are only a few degrees of separation between you and Kings Of Leon bonding over a warm cardboard cup of lager backstage at this year’s biggest festivals.

Of course, everyone knows that models and rock stars go together like Michael Jackson and nose jobs, but this isn't about flaunting your assets to get a sticky pass. Having the face and body of a Playboy model will only get you part of the way, unless, of course, Motley Crue are headlining.

So read on for some fast track tips on how to blag your way back to the VIP area to enjoy the luxury of gold toilet seats, free champagne and butlers.

Now for the sneaky approach - befriending a band further down the bill. Most of the time lesser known acts have to carry their own gear around, so offer to be their roadie or give them a cheeky toke in exchange for a spare pass.

If the bunny boiler route is more your style, you could even get to the festival site a couple of days before the event starts and stow yourself away in the specially built mobile areas for the media. Bring along a six-pack, sit tight and wait to conveniently bump into Arctic Monkeys, as you emerge incognito, acting like you belong.

Another crafty classic is making your own ticket. But be warned, there is no room for rookie errors here. Get a computer geek onside to find the right kind of paper, then copy and scan the exact design and even cut to shape a perforated edge. This move relies on sheer bravado and bluff, so if you can’t convince yourself that you are the complete and utter dog’s bollocks, you won't be fooling anyone on the gate. Confidence is everything.

For a less risky direct entry to the weekend of your dreams, stewarding is a great option.

Sure you'll have to wear a ridiculous orange uniform and be on hand to look after the kids that eat one too many space cakes, but in return you'll have access to hospitality areas and get to be really close to the stage.

Bar work at festivals will certainly keep you busy, but you'll get paid actual money while you serve drinks to beautiful people in the sun to the soundtrack of Blur battering away on the main stage.

Oxfam also give great opportunities to help festival sites stay as clean and safe as possible with volunteers mopping in with litter picking, ticket tearing and helping out the welfare tents. Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds and many more are happy to reward you with a ticket in return for a couple of shifts over the weekend, so muck in.

If you study photography or journalism you could always try contacting your local paper for any reviewing opportunities that may be available. You will be expected to work at a fast pace and be on hand to grab last minute interviews, as well as reporting on all the gossip as it happens. It's definitely not for the faint hearted but it can be very rewarding both personally and professionally.

More outlandish blagging has produced some miraculous results in the past, so if all else fails there are a few last ditch tricks that could get you over the fence, but first you’re going to need a very reliable mate. Boldly stroll up to the guest entrance and allow said friend to demand his ticket, which is on the list. At this point you sneak around to look at the clipboard and memorise a genuine printed name, which you can use, as

your friend is swiftly kicked out. Bingo. Hello Glastonbury.

You could also pretend you're in a band. Have charisma and a silly haircut and feign that you’ve lost all the other members when travelling down to the event – yes it has fail stamped all across it, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know.

And finally, should all else fail, jump the fence, hope for the best and run like hell…

words: Hollie Garraway

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Pet Shop Boys, Doves, Grace Jones, Ed Byrne, Jo Brand and loads more

latitude

Since it first appeared in 2005, Latitude festival has earnt a reputation for being a glorious weekend away, boasting the best bands, theatre, comedy, culture, food and everything you could ask for, all nestled in the lush countryside setting of Suffolk.

Latitude is the ideal place to unwind, the words 'idyllic' and 'serene' spring to mind. the slogan; 'It's more than just a music festival' is one they actually do live up to. you can wander through the literary, poetry and comedy tents for half the day before you even get to the bands! Latitude are also known for going the extra mile when it comes to taking care of its residents. Maybe that's why its been labeled a quintessentially middle class festival, who knows? It's definitely a festival for people who want to go camping without the yob factor.

A typical day at Latitude might be similar to this... wake up in a field in the middle of an Alice in Wonderland story book. Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast of Bloody Marys and tasty vegie burgers with your neighbours. Wandering past a flock of multicoloured sheep. Being drawn up the hill to the obelisk arena by Bat for Lashes' ethereal voice floating down towards you. Squeezing into the comedy tent to witness one of Mark thomas’ inspired rants. Being hit in the head by a plastic cup during a swap-o-rama set, and having two lovely girls coming to your rescue with tissues for said injury. rounding it all off by sitting at a wooden table in the sun with some new friends, casually fishing some grass out of a pint of cider.

Getting there...to get there from London, grab a coach and get chummy with other Latitudites. you never know when you might need to borrow a cup of er..sugar or find yourself in need of some help setting up your tent. you could also consider liftsharing through sites like liftshare.com.

By Dave and Dedee from House of tracks Magazine

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My lasting memories of Benicassim are the Pixies, sun, Morrissey, the crowd loving 2 many djs playing ‘we are your friends’, Mr Erol Alkan, sangria, techno Hippies, platted hair, concrete, communal cold showers with naked Europeans and a post festival trip to Morocco. Sound like your cup of tea?

Benicassim is a small town next to the sea near Valencia in Spain. Easy to get to from Barcelona by bus or train. Would I go again? Definitely. It’s like beach during the day and festival at night - all the way to the next morning.

Music is both bands and dance music, so all your friends will be happy. How good the music is this year is for you to decide: oasis, Kings of Leon, Franz Feridand and the Killers are headlining. If you’re don’t like them, I wouldn’t worry because you’re always going to find something worth listening to. As usual at these things, you’ve got films, theatre and art going on for when you want to enjoy some air conditioning.

Campsites are basic yet good, with lots of communal cold showers with the previously mentioned naked Europeans – the English wore swimwear. one problem is that you can’t sleep in your tent past 9am. So if you can’t go with out sleep, get yourself a hotel or apartment, or sleep in the shade during the day.

thankfully, there is plenty of food in Benicassim. Lots of supermarkets means you can eat healthy food for a few euros, which leaves you feeling so much better than spending a small fortune at chip vans (yes the Spanish have these too!). However, Paella and tapas is reasily available.

Look out for the techno Hippies, who apparently, travel round Europe in their big vans barbecuing meat for festival goers, playing techno, and speaking in nice Spanish accents. Like many other travelling communities, they have dogs*. they’ll happily sell you a can of European orange fanta at any time of the day and make you wonder whether life on the road is for you too.

words: James Cook

*note from the editor. We’re not sure how PC this is, but when you read it again it just sounds so funny.

Benicassim

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Big ChillIt’s been a while since I’ve slummed it with the festival goers in this country. over the last few years I’ve been enjoying the luxury of hot festivals in Europe. It only seemed appropriate to bring myself back to earth gently on the grounds of the 19th Century Eastnor Castle for the Big Chill Festival where camping is pleasant and rubbish is recycled.

Having managed to miss some of the must-see bands on my list due to the wind blowing away our tent and the gazebo missing a leg we made the short journey to the rather picturesque deer park where the other 29,000 revellers were already bumbling along in the blowy on-off English sunshine.

the gates didn’t have a whiff of the over bearing scumbag security that some of the other festivals have, it was pretty chilled, you could come and go as you please although the occasional bag was checked for booze. Unfortunately just when you think everything is ok you are reprimanded for taking plastic bottles in. the claim of it’s ginger ale was refused and with a swift opening of the bottle the delightful scent of Southern Comfort appeared in the air. Sorry you can’t take that in. Doesn’t this fuel binge drinking and people standing at the gates getting smashed because they drink their days worth of booze in five minutes? the problem is that once you’re in on top of the £129 ticket price it’s four quid for a tequila.

nevertheless, we were in and we had backup supplies and were drawn into the rizla arena. Perhaps something that should be on every street corner. An Ibiza style

area with palm trees and a stage with perfect dancing music coming out of the bouncing speakers, constantly. We went back every day and spent at least an hour in there each time.

there’s plenty to do at the festival for all ages, however someone needs to keep an eye on the youngsters as two 15 year olds approached us requesting ‘mushrooms.’ they could have spent their time in the rather delightful Enchanted Garden where there was a Cider Bus serving up a rather fine Minty Cider cocktail, not to mention the dip stand making tasty fresh dips, we especially enjoyed the plentiful salads served up at the quinoa salad stand. Venture deeper into the garden and you would find a Japanese restaurant, massages aplenty, a naked sauna and even a chocolate lounge where you could get a rum, hot chocolate and espresso drink. Lovely stuff. However, best of all in the garden was the Pianox, a deformed piano on which you could hit the strings to make all kinds of wonderful noises.

It was the first time I had been to a festival not because of the music and it’s a highly enjoyable way to do it. there’s never any stress or mad rush to get from stage A to Stage B and with everything in such close proximity there is never a care to be had. the Big Chill Festival 2008 was a top notch festival and it seems a place that people go back to again and again and again. 2009 sees an art car boot sale (although keep your priceless artworks in your tent at your peril), Dylan Moran, Friendly Fires and the not to be missed Greg Wilson.

words Sam Lassman Watts

SecretGarden Party23–26 July

recommends...

Processed beats.

£144 Huntingdon

''

offers an unprecedented escape

from the daily drudge of normality, the state of 2009's Britain, and invites you into the world

of Babylon & Eden, a joyous romp through the light and dark

of your soul...''

line–upjarvis cockerfat freddy's droprodrigo y gabrielaemiliana torriniphoenix vv brownemmy the greatthose dancing days

EMF evil ninecaribougolden silversofficial secrets actchew lipsthe holloways dan blacksoko(and loads more)£144 Huntingdon

AUGUST“Whilst August yet wears her golden crown, Ripening fields lush- bright with promise; Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn.”

Michelle L. Thieme, August’s Crown

Field Day

Big Chill

The Dance Ones

First Timers Guide

V Festival

Reading Leeds

www.theothersidemag.co.uk

Field DayVictoria Park / words Lorna Donnelly

Saturday 1 August

Field Day 09 drops yet another A-list of performers. Cosmic synth pop chanteuse Little Boots plays a full live set, The Horrors and Mystery Jets both re-emerge with a brand new sound and dancehall queen Santigold plays one of just two exclusive UK dates all summer, the other being Field Day’s ‘little brother’ Underage Festival.

This year will hopefully be third time lucky for Field Day. The first year had the weather but also had shambolic organisation. The second was all set for success until headine act Mystery Jets pulled out and the heavens opened. The rain actually meant getting to see a lot of really good acts while sheltering in tents rather than being at the main stage. It did however mean missing out on all the village fete games that were on offer –

Yes, not just bands but the heart of East London will be transformed into a Village Fete. Away from sound systems and stages the masses can indulged in some countrified fun and games on the Village Green area - ‘Village Mentality’ - within the festival. Try your luck on the tombola, crack a few nuts on the coconut shy - or just sit on some hay bales and stuff your face with homemade cake. Inspired by summer sports days

and country fetes - Field Day’s very own village green will host stalls and activities throughout the daytime, ranging from sack-racing, to whack-the-rat, Bowling for Bacon and lots more to be announced. Come along, have fun, eat baked goods, and as the country saying goes - “be like an ant in the days of summer”

Insider Tip

Both Field Days so far have lead to seeking sanctuary in a pub, so it is worth checking out some good ones before you get there. While drying off in the wonderfully atmospheric Royal Inn On the Park, one girl actually said she was having a great day until she went over to the festival.

Another treat is the Myspace bus. You may have to queue outside for a little bit, but you get rewarded with your very own, almost private, acoustic set from any number of acts.

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Field Day

Mogwai, Aeroplane, Apes and Androids, Erol Alkan,

Arrors, Fake Blood, Fennesz, Final Fantasy, First Aid Kit, Four Tet, James Yorkston,

Malcolm Middleton, Mystery Jets, S.C.U.M,

Skream, Toumani Diabate

There is nothing like a proper dance festival and those on offer in 2009 seem to promise something a little bit special. Let’s face it, things are tough and we need the opportunity to relax and unashamedly enjoy ourselves for a bit. There is no better way than to have a good dance.

These festivals are for all ages. There is no attitude, it’s about feeling the music, having fun, dancing like no one is watching, hopefully enjoying the sun, and of course people watching. There will be plenty to look at from bikini-clad girls to bare chested guys to ravers round the pushchair.

This is a pick of some of the biggest dance festivals around the UK.

Coloursfest Braehead Arena and Waterfront, Glasgow Sat 6 June 18.00-04.00

The premiere dance festival in Scotland - Coloursfest - has sold out for the past 5 years.

Main Arena – Dutch superstar Ferry Corsten, Radio 1’s Judge Jules, and upcoming Italian dj Giuseppe Ottaviani

Into the old school? Rozalla and Alison Limerick.

Take something warm. It’s Scotland and gets a bit chilly in the evening

Escape Into The Park Singleton Park in Swansea Sat 13 June 12.00-23.00

The largest dance music festival in Wales with 20,000 party-goers.

Main stage – Eric Prydz and Scratch Perverts / Godskitchen & Polysexual arena Lisa Lashes, Tidy Boys, Dave Pearce and much loved local dj Big Al

Even though it’s in Wales take Sunscreen – there is absolutely no shade

Global Gathering Long Marston Airfield, Stratford upon Avon

Fri 24 – Sat 25 July

The big one - Global Gathering - attracts over 50,000 festival goers

Clubbing institution The Prodigy are headlining following the release of their latest album – Invaders Must Die. With Orbital re-uniting after a 5 year absence and using the event to kick-start a UK tour

Try not to get lost in the biggest tent in Europe also check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. Think outward bound course rather than nightclub!

GladeThe Matterly Bowl, Winchester, 16th-19th July

Glade is a proper music festival with it’s big stages, little stages, healing tents, a circus, a pyrotechnic and plenty more. It’s more than just a dance festival. This year Underworld, Squarepusher and The Filthy Dukes will be making people pull shapes and look to the skies in amazement.

Dan Slipper

THE DISCO SHED Stephanie Clive.

Successful disc jockeys Peepshow Paddy and Count Skylarkin’ wowed the festival circuit last summer with a portable wooden party box they like to call the Disco Shed. Their mix of funky tunes and quirky visuals made the Shed a sure fire hit with festival goers around the country, and successfully introduced the concept of shedonism to the masses. The shed will be trundling its way to a festival near you this summer, but if you can’t wait for that then be sure to catch them on the decks at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes on the 29th May for our Other Side Festival Times launch.

First Timers’ Guide

Not been to a festival before. If you’re one of those who’d rather spend their summer sitting on a beach with a cocktail then you might need this.

Here’s the essential guide to surviving your first festival...

Getting thereSave money and guarantee your festival ticket by working for it. Oxfam often approach student unions looking for volunteer stewards; otherwise try building fences, pouring pints or burger flipping.

Don’t pay for over-priced public transport. Look on Gumtree and look for a lift share scheme - there’s almost always some Hooray Henry taking his Dad’s Land Rover to Reading, so blag a lift.

Otherwise, sell off spaces for petrol money in your Vauxhall Nova. If nobody else is going to Trowbridge Village Pump Festival then sign up to Liftshare.com and open your search to the outside world.

CampingTesco.com does a Value two-person dome tent for £3.99, but if you value (ahem) staying dry then go for the £12 version. An airbed or lilo will stop your sleeping bag absorbing sogginess from the ground beneath, but if that’s too expensive, jumpers for pillows will suffice.

Stinge on the torch, but not the batteries. Falling face-first into someone else’s tent at 4am because you failed to see the guide ropes in the pitch black is never a good idea. Festival organisers rarely think to put Portaloos in a well-lit place, so if you need to take a slash at night, take the torch with you else you might be the star of your very own shit-covered apocryphal tale.

Health and hygieneBring your own loo roll, wet wipes, industrial-strength deodorant, sun cream and a toothbrush as they are all vital.

Don’t bother queueing for festival showers; it will result in you missing your favourite band. If you absolutely need a wash, take a deep breath and opt instead for a cool alfresco whore’s bath (top and tails) at the nearest tap. Never visit a water point in the morning; human life will have evolved by the time it’s your turn.

Sex, drugs n’ alcoholTaking your own alcohol will prove cheapest but most events - especially those sponsored by beer companies - won’t let you take it into the main arena.

Drugs are just as illegal at festivals as they are in your local Wetherspoon’s, but if you do experiment there will be welfare and medical staff on hand if it all gets too much. Locate your nearest welfare tent at the beginning and remember; everything in moderation. Apart from sex. Have as much sex as you like.

Clothing and weatherIn the UK, wellies are indispensable and if you’re going to Glastonbury, make yours knee-highs. Get these before you go though, as stallholders will happily take a chunk of your beer money in return for a pair onsite.

You’ll also need a waterproof jacket and loads of warm layers as it might be scorching in the afternoon (bring a sun hat), but it

won’t be at night (bring a woolly hat).

A bag or secure pockets are essential for carrying around your valuables. The last thing you want to lose is that £10 your Gran gave

you to spend on food.

NourishmentEating at festivals is not only expensive, but food tastes just as bad as Asda Smart Price tinned curry, even if the stall sign reads: organic, locally sourced gourmet falafel. Preparation is vital and imperishable foods should be top of your shopping list. Crisps, chocolate, cereal bars and nuts (well healthy stuff that) are not only portable, but also inexpensive and will last all three days.

Once you’ve got your snacks sorted, treat yourself to one big, hot, bought meal a day. You’ll probably end up having beer for breakfast, lunch and dinner anyway.

LeavingIf it has been a rather heavy weekend, make sure your lift home is sober and alert enough to drive back and then start planning for the next year, when you’ll be doing it all over again.

Working at festivals websites:Oxfam volunteers / Oxfam.org.uk

Workers Beer Compnay Workersbeer.thewebbureaus2.com

Green Police / Savetheworldclub.org

DC Site Services / Dcsiteservices.com

words: Kae Karadelis

For all the bad press the V Festival gets, it does still hold a little bit of my heart. the fact that over the years it has seemed to become the after party for the lad’s holiday – I can imagine the tearful goodbyes after Ibiza rocks with many folk’s parting words being: “See you at V.” But I guess that is what gives it its end of summer party feel. Ignore the what seem to be compulsory cowboy hats, the fact there is no longer anywhere to sit down due to the hike in capacity and lack of toilets to accommodate for this, and what you have is a pretty tight festival that always pulls a good - albeit wide ranging - line up.

Some people may say the V line up is too wide ranging – the festival for everyone, that ends up being for no one. But I think there are a lot of people who went to previous V festivals who wouldn’t be ashamed of saying one of their favourite acts were the Sugarbabes or Girls Aloud. I’m not sure if the Saturdays will match up to girl bands gone before them, but I’m sure they’ll be a damn sight better than the Wombats. Insider tip

From past personal experience it is worth missing the encore of the headline act to avoid a two hour bus queue. I think the festival organisers have started to think people actually enjoy this, even in the rain, because they haven’t seemed to do anything about it for 10 years. the choruses of

“Come by car” to the tune if “Kumbaya” do not even make it worthwhile.

Another top tip this the * cue magical music * “the Hidden Path”. I’m not sure if it has always been there, but at the right of the second stage (before last year main stage) there is a path that appears to lead out of the festival, but actually links round to the main stage. Before I, and all I know, would always hike up the hill to the toilets and down again. Getting there? Chelmsford national Express East Anglia operates trains to Chelmsford station where you can pick up a shuttle bus to the site. Staffordshire the nearest rail stations are Stafford and Wolverhampton or telford in Shropshire. there is a shuttle bus service from Wolverhampton Bus Station and Stafford rail Station to Weston Park and back.

v festivalwords: Lorna Donaly

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The Killers, Oasis, Razorlight, Happy Mondays, Snow Patrol,

Seasick Steve, MGMT,, The Saturdays, Ocean Colour Scene,

Katy Perry & Lady Gaga

Reading - Leeds

Reading and Leeds Festivals have been packing the August bank holiday weekend with a cacophonous mix of revelry, debauchery, and good ol’ rock and roll since time immemorial. Time, of course, having begun in 1961 at the ‘National Jazz Festival’ - an event that would eventually morph

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Reading - LeedsOver the years Reading has changed, from a prog-rock dominated lineup in the 70’s, to a disastrous dalliance with mainstream pop in the late 80’s. While 1991 saw a return to form with Nirvana’s last UK gig and Kurt Cobain’s infamous wheelchair stunt. That year also marking the arrival of Reading’s symbiotic sibling, Leeds Festival.

This summer’s lineup is still safely under wraps at the time of going to press, with the juicy details expected to be released shortly before tickets go on sale on March 30th. If last years cadre of performers is anything to go by then it should be exciting and diverse collection. Main stage headliners Metallica, The Killers, and Rage Against the Machine appeased the masses, with smaller artists like Frank Turner, Gallows, MGMT, and Seasick Steve broadening horizons across the festival’s five other stages.

Those on the look out for the next big thing should take a trip to the BBC Introducing tent. I owe one of my most bittersweet Reading memories to that hallowed expanse of tarpaulin. In 2005 an unknown band called ‘The Arctic Monkeys’ were due to play in what was then The Carling Tent. Intrigued, I made my way over to the stage to find the the crowds spilling out far beyond the boundaries of the tent. Far too busy for me, I thought, probably not worth the effort. A year and a debut album later they were back, this time on the main stage as one of the festival’s most prominent acts.

Reading Festival has gifted me

with a host of more positive memories too: the bottling of 50-Cent, my friend being thrown off site for blowing up gas canisters, and the massive and inevitable riots that begin after the final day’s music has concluded. Stuffed into my cranium along with them are a wealth of useful tips. Pick a shop next to the main stage as a meeting point, use the shower’s at the nearby swimming pool rather than those on-site, and try to locate that belgian waffles van I can never find.

Reading and Leeds are festivals that allow you to squeeze as much fun as is possible from 3 days. There’s enough on offer to suit all tastes: music fans will flit from stage to stage hoping to fit in the maximum number of bands, while ravers lie paralytic in the campsite, trying to remember why they’re dressed as a postman. It’s a tumultuous and hedonistic weekend that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

words: Joe Ewans

Make sure you dress up for bestival or you’ll look sillier than if you dressed up like this to go to work.

oh.

and smile.

SEPTEMBER“’Tis the last rose of summer,

Left blooming alone;

All her lovely companions

Are faded and gone.”

Thomas Moore, The Last Rose of Summer, 1830

Bestival

www.theothersidemag.co.uk

This leftfield celebration of music is to festivals what Obama is to politics: a breath of fresh air. Brought to you by Radio One DJ Rob da Bank and now approaching its sixth year, it is the cool new kid on the block that is upstaging the established scene.

Bestival takes place at Robin Country Park on the Isle Of Wight over three days in September and this year revellers will be treated to an eclectic mix of artists including Kraftwerk, MGMT, Massive Attack, Klaxons, Soulwax, Florence And The Machine, Bat For Lashes and Friendly Fires to name a few.

What sets Bestival apart from the more mainstream events of the summer is the unique atmosphere that surges throughout the camp. Rarely is such a collective effort put into having a good time and picking the ultimate costume. Indeed each year a theme is announced and the festivalgoers dress accordingly.

For Bestival 2009 the theme is A Space Oddity – so expect everything from astronauts, Stormtroopers, and Ziggy-era David Bowies. To encourage as much dressing up as possible the organisers even provides a dressing up tent.

WorDS: BoAz SACHS

Aside from this, Bestival is refreshing in its independent-minded attitude to food and merchandise stalls. There is a diverse approach to catering (including, but not limited to, vegetarian foods and locally provided refreshments), and a heavy involvement in social, political and environmental causes, including aiming to be a carbon neutral festival, dedicated areas for breast-feeding mothers and young children.

All contribute to the feeling that there is no place quite like it on the British festival circuit. What other festival provides its own inflatable wedding chapel?

Weather: This year the forecast predicts blue skies and sunny weather so don’t forget to pack your sunscreen. A repeat of the mud and rain of Bestival 2008, which saw the stage collapse in the mud, is unlikely...but we’re just saying that aren’t we.

bestival

“The theme is a Space Oddity”

Despite its idyllic location Bestival is only 2 hours away from central London by train and easily accessible through frequent ferry rides both at day and night. Just make sure you get there on Thursday to avoid having to camp too close to the toilet facilities and don’t forget to get yourself a copy of the Bestival Bugle, the festival’s own daily newspaper dishing out timetables and tips. Finally, remember to keep your eyes open for the Secret Stage where some of the best acts may pop up at any time. Oh and if that’s not enough then why don’t you swim there!

DovesFriendly FiresMGMTKraftwerk

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Win a pair of tickets to Bestival

at our event at Bloomsbury Bowl on

Friday 29th May

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