Ponchos And Pocket Pints: The Stereoboard Festival Checklist
Thursday, 27 June 2013
Written by Heather McDaid
Festival season is well and truly upon us and with some of the summer's biggest hitters rapidly approaching, it's time to get prepared for whatever the elements may throw at us. Tent - check. Wellies - check. The basics are second nature, but there is a market out there for more niche products to make your festival experience better and, at times, more practical. So, festival types, here are a few suggestions.
Power Monkey - Having your phone at a festival is often a distraction, but it's more often than not a must for finding your fellow campers amid tens of thousands of people. There are always a few phone-charging stalls (costing something like £5 for an hour) kicking around, or free charging for Vodafone customers, but having one of these little chargers is a worthwhile addition. Charge it via USB at home, then plug your phone into it when it's running low. It means you can give it a quick blitz in the morning or night so you don't have to be without your phone, or you can keep it on your person throughout the day. It'll save you a good few quid in charging fees.
Phone Charger Case - Not all phones will have this option, but many - iPhones, for example - have cases designed with a built in charger. Another handy solution to your charging needs over a five day weekend.
Hot Cans - Firebox is a weird and wonderful website, and when it comes to festival quirks, they've delivered. Hot cans contain pre-prepared food that heats up when you take the lid off, without need of a hob or poor attempt at a barbeque. From ravioli and chicken curry to a nice little rice pudding, these can spare you from a culinary disaster.
Shit Box - While festival portaloos are admittedly pretty vile after the first day, it's debatable whether the Shit Box is an improvement. They are growing in popularity, with people setting them up behind a group of tents, but really? Really?
Glow in the Dark Loo Roll - Back to trusty Firebox, and they've solved the age old problem of portaloos at night. If you trust the toilet roll at one in the morning then you're a brave person. It also comes with the tagline: "Bog standard? No way!" Nice.
Solar Shower - As any festival veteran can tell you, they can get really messy. We've all packed millions of bags of baby wipes, but sometimes it's just not enough. You could join the queue for the site shower facilities or have your own bash with this solar shower. Just leave it out in the sun and have your own hot shower. But then, this is a British summer - you could just embrace the mess for a few days and gross everyone out when you get home.
Pacman Ponchos - Let's face it, there will probably be rain. You can layer up in your waterproofs, or just keep a Pacman ghost poncho on hand. Get the full set and it doubles for fun in the sun, as you and your crew can chase unsuspecting festival goers while yelling 'waka waka'.
Pocket Pint - Those paper cups are pretty annoying, but not quite as annoying as the cup collectors who hover around you when they see you're approaching the end of your drink. So, why not opt for a pocket pint, the expandable pint glass that can fit in a regular pocket? As one of the website's reviews says, you can keep it on hand back home when you're at the pub near closing time - no need to tan your pint!
The Winerack - Naturally this is targeted at the ladies, but the principle is simple: store your alcohol in your bra and drink freely the whole day. No need to worry about carrying cans around the campsites, or queuing for beer, because it's all in the bust!
It seems the internet has its uses when it comes to festivals: helping with portaloos, charging your phone and, of course, getting drunk. Festival season is a good one and is often the music fan's highlight of the summer, so with this in mind, there's never any harm in bringing some weird and wonderful things into the equation, even if it is glow in the dark loo roll.
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