How Smaller Festivals Can Hold Their Own Against Larger Festivals

For a festival with a capacity that’s smaller than Brixton Academy or Radio City Music Hall, Blissfields near Winchester, UK is a prime example of a small festival that can very much hold its own against the Glastonburys and Coachellas of this world. And just as they’re able to take on the big boys and triumph, they’re also able to add their own unique flavor that the majors struggle to match.

Amazing line-ups

Gone are the days where the major fests have all the fun. Nowadays, the small festivals are getting in on booking the heavyweight acts as they can see the appeal of playing to intimate crowds. Alternatively, there’s the opportunity to catch an up-and-coming act that may turn out to be your new favourite band. Blissfields – as mentioned above - this year for instance have established acts Dizzee Rascal and Everything Everything topping the bill (http://www.blissfields.co.uk), The Secret Garden Party near Cambridge has Primal Scream and Caribou (http://www.secretgardenparty.com/line-up/) and in such intimate settings too.

Boutique Camping

Fancy being spoilt rotten? If regular camping doesn’t quite cut it, then how about a step up in luxury with boutique camping? Smaller festivals now provide an ideal way to combine style and comfort for the weekend. Often, they’re complete with a bed, bedside table, lamps and even floor rug inside a yurt. Some even include adjoining toilets, showers and a pamper chamber. Try getting that level of treatment at a major UK rock festival Reading and Leeds.
Green Yurts across the pond who provide yurts for small UK festivals such as Shambala and Boomtown (http://www.greenyurts.co.uk).

Cheaper tickets

This pretty much goes without saying. Because of the significantly lower overheads and larger fees that the established acts charge to headline, not to mention the smaller space the festival itself takes up, it means a huge saving on ticket prices, which for you ultimately leads to spend your money on street food stalls and drink. A ticket at Reading this year will fetch you back around £215 ($309) for the entire weekend (https://www.gigantic.com/reading-festival-richfield-avenue-2016-08-26-11-00). Whereas a ticket at somewhere such as Blissfields will set you back a measly £90 ($129) http://www.blissfields.co.uk/tickets/.

Food stalls

The feeling of paying over the odds for a flimsy, tasteless cheeseburger can leave you feeling underwhelmed. Fortunately, specialist food from across the globe pitch themselves up for a weekend with eats from anywhere you can think of? Vegetarian? They’ve got you covered. Got a hankering for cous cous? Chances are they’ll have it. Want a bit of ethically produced chocolate cake for dessert? You got it. Best of all, they won’t charge you the earth for it either. In contrast, visitors are willing to spend a good amount of money on decent food too, so clearly we’re talking serious business.

Often, well known restaurants will also get involved such as the Hawaiian Kua Aina (http://kua-aina.co.uk/on-tour/) and popular UK BBQ joint Bodeans (http://www.bodeansbbq.com/site/catering)

Small enough to find your group

As you can probably expect, these sites are often so small that you can find your friends should you decide to head to another stage without too much difficulty. This also lends an intimate feel to be with your pals whilst eating, drinking, watching bands and sleeping under the stars without all the noise. Plus it’s a great way to meet new people without it being a daunting experience or getting squeezed in a crowd like tinned sardines at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury (http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/pyramid-stage/).