Glasto’s cancelled, so why not throw your own festival?
Create a DIY festival at home this bank holiday
You might be gutted about your festival plans being on hold this year, but with the bank holiday looming, why not celebrate at home?
You can recreate all the best bits of your favourite events, and you won’t have to spend the night in a cold tent, queue for hours for the portaloo or clean out your wallet buying a round at the bar.
We spoke to some top festival experts to find out how you can nail the perfect line-up, party vibe and tasty eats.
Legendary DJ Rob Da Bank has been organising festivals for over 15 years and is currently the co-curator (alongside his wife Josie) of the colourful family bash Camp Bestival, which is held at Lulworth Castle in Dorset.
If you’re Diying it, Rob recommends getting inventive. “Work with what you’ve got,” he tells us. “If you don’t have a small tent you can erect inside, an old bedsheet across a couple of brooms and sofa will do the trick. Add some coloured bulbs to set the mood, play some festival faves on the stereo and raid the cupboard for some food staples – even tins of beans and Pot Noodles! The most important thing to remember is to have fun and create an atmosphere that makes you feel good. It’s all about forgetting real life for a couple of hours.”
Rob adds, “Being lucky enough to have a garden is a major bonus. A lot of the Camp Bestival ethos is about getting back to nature, so find the greenest part of the garden, then create a cosy vibe with old pillows, cushions and some candles.”
GO GLAM OR GO HOME
Of course, wherever it’s being held, no festival is complete without a serious sprinkling of sequins, or even full-on fancy dress. Rob reckons we shouldn’t let the fact that we’re staying home hold us back with our choice of festival outfits – think full Kylie Jenner at Coachella. “I have to admit I have a pair of sequin leggings that I secretly like donning at festivals,” Rob says. “I also love a cape. Once I’ve got that outfit on, I feel like a different person!” And, even though it might only be you and the cat for company, you can use technology to bring the party to you. “Zoom or
Houseparty are definitely useful at this time,” Rob says. “So, set up a call, share ideas – perhaps an online fancy dress competition, complete with virtual catwalk – so you can show off your outfits.”
TURN ON, CHOON IN
This is the perfect opportunity to curate your dream line-up. Radio 1’s Charlie Hedges says, “There are so many individual artists doing live streams, so we’re essentially getting a lot of gigs for free. You’d have to pay a lot of cash for a festival ticket, but it’s going to cost you nothing from home. And how many raves can you go to in your PJS?” Charlie, who regularly DJS in Ibiza and at festivals such as Leeds and Isle of Wight, also says she has been holding impromptu gigs for her mates via Zoom. “We did one the other day. It was so much fun, as everyone was dancing like mad – we were all raving and drinking. It got louder and louder and it was really fun. Make a whole weekend of it. Each of your mates can host a different night with a different theme.”
Camp Bestival is scheduled to take place 30 July-2 August. Tickets cost £200 for an adult weekend ticket at Campbestival.net. Charlie Hedges and Eddie Craig’s single You’re No Good For Me is out now on Spinning’ Records