Frequently Asked Questions

Camping and Amenities

What kind of clothes should I bring?

Music festivals can be VERY HOT and VERY COLD - all in the space of one weekend! So please pack clothing to cover both extremes, for example...

A waterproof jacket.
A jumper or fleece.
2 pairs of lightweight trousers that dry quickly.
A pair of shorts.
A hat.
Lots of warm socks.
Boots and trainers (you cannot work onsite whilst wearing sandals or flip flops).

For more suggestions please see the next question in this section "Anything else I should bring?"

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Anything else I should bring?

If you've never been to a festival before, or if like us you just can’t remember all the things you forgot last year ' in collaboration with the Reading Festival and Leeds Festival we’ve put together the 'music festival essentials' list! Hopefully it'll help and make your festival a cleaner and greener experience!

Your CAT Info pack - you will receive a copy in the post and you can also download/print via your PAAM account.
If you're travelling via public transport - bring your tickets! Or, why not give lift-sharing a go? Try www.liftshare.org or www.freewheelers.co.uk.
Money and cash card – remember to keep these with you at all times, don't leave them in your tent.
ID (Passport/ID Card/NI card/Driving license) – again remember to keep these with you at all times.
Clothing for all seasons – even in a heat wave it gets cold at night.
Tent, sleeping bag, blanket, and a pillow – if you don't fancy carrying these home at the end of the weekend, take them to the left luggage/lost property/donation point before you go.
Camera – or just use your mobile phone so you don't have so much to carry.
Mobile phone & charger – switch off your phone when you're not using it and when you're asleep. Your battery will last longer and you'll be doing the environment a favour too.
Condoms – you never know, you might just get lucky!
Paracetamol, or just drink some water before you go to bed.
Sun cream and a hat – you'll be in direct sunlight (hopefully!) all day.
Tin opener and bottle opener.
Tissues and loo roll – try to buy the recycled type.
Torch – everything looks different at night and that floral tent you bought thinking you'd be the only one with it...seems everyone else had the same idea!
Toiletries and a towel.
Hair brush, hair bands and a mirror.
Lip balm.
Nail clippers/nail file.
Toothbrush and toothpaste and some chewing gum/mints.
Bikini or trunks for the showers.
Wet wipes for when you just can't be bothered with a shower!
Clean underwear and lots of dry, clean socks.
Sunglasses.
Flip-flops (although you can't work in them so bring some boots and/or trainers too).
Pacamac – not very sexy but you'll look better wearing that than a bin bag if it rains.
Bin bags – put your clothes in one as you pack so they stay dry during the weekend. Try to buy recycled and re-use the plastic bags you bring your shopping in. If you do need more you can get bin bags and recycling bags from one of the many litter and recycling points around the music festival site or just pop in to see the litter team in the crew area and ask nicely! Please bag up all your rubbish and recycling and designate a litter and recycling point in your crew campsite. Try to keep glass and cans separate.
Lager/cider – please bring cans as these can be recycled at the recycling points. Glass bottles are NOT allowed onsite.
Wellies – you'd be surprised how many pairs of wellies get left behind. If you don't want them please take them to a left luggage/lost property point.
Small camping stove and pans to cook in.
Small gas canisters – please don't put gas canisters on fires as you'll be endangering yourself, other people, damaging the environment, and endangering the future of the festival.
A mug for tea, bowl, plate, spoon, knife & fork – bring reusable picnic sets if you can, rather than using stacks of the plastic disposable type.
Washing up liquid (for the above) - try to buy the environmentally friendly type.
Water container – buy a large, empty water container from a camping shop that you can fill from the water points or buy one large bottle of water and re-fill this. Please don't burn your plastic bottles as they release toxic chemicals when burnt.
Pot noodles/packet meals.
Teabags & coffee.
Sugar packets (from the services on the way!).
A sense of humour and an open mind!

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Where do I camp when working at a music festival?

You must camp with the staff and volunteers in the secure area provided.

The staff and volunteer camping area is next to the staff showers, toilets and cafe.

We ask you to not camp in the public areas as:

Unfortunately thieves are present at all large events.
In the past staff and volunteers have been involved with incidents due to camping in the public areas.

Think about it - if you had been told off by a member of staff or one of your friends had been evicted by security, then later in the day you find someone who works at the festival camping next to you, how might you treat them?

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Can I bring my van or campervan?

You may bring a small campervan or motor home to the festival. Please make sure you contact us to arrange this prior to arriving on site, as we will need to site your vehicle as early as possible to ensure there is space for you to get into the compound.

We cannot allow cars or standard vans into the camping area to be used as ‘live-in’ accommodation, for health and safety and fire safety reasons.

You will not be able sleep in a vehicle parked in the staff car park.

Please note, at some events, you may need to park in an area specifically for live-in vehicles.

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Can I camp with my friends?

If your friends are working and you arrive EARLY enough to claim space for you all, of course!

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Can I bring and camp with my children?

Most festivals and events allow children of 12 years and under in free, those 13 and over will require a ticket.

Anyone NOT WORKING at the festival will be required to camp in the PUBLIC CAMPSITES and use the public facilities.

If you are a parent/guardian who is WORKING you will be required to camp in the STAFF AREA.

If your children are not working, they will not have a crew pass, so will not be able to access the staff areas.

Whilst on the festival site your child/children will be your responsibility; care will need to be organised when you are collecting passes, attending briefings and working shifts.

Please contact us if you have dependants attending the festival and are unsure about any of the above.

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