Congratulations on purchasing your tickets for 2007's Yellowfield Festival. As you already know, this year will be our biggest yet, with an estimated crowd of 40,000 people flocking to see bands such as Keane, Razorlight and The Kooks. In order to make the festival as enjoyable and safe as possible, we have included an information booklet packed full of useful advice and information, whether you are a festival virgin or a seasoned pass holder.
We look forward to seeing you in April!
Yellowfield Fest Team


The Line-up
In case you haven't been checking the website daily for updates and confirmations, here is the most recent list of who is performing at Yellowfield 2007. Watch out for even more bands signing up before April!

Muse, Radiohead, Keane, Razorlight, The Magic Numbers, Franz Ferdinand, The Kooks, The Fratellis, Snow Patrol, Matchbox 20, Basement Jaxx, Kaiser Chiefs, The Streets, Mika, Dashboard Confessionals, Panic! At the disco, Artic Monkeys, The Roots, Aqualung, Lily Allen, Jamie T, Bob Sinclair, Imogen Heap, Regina Spektor, I Monster, Corrine Bailey Rae, Jack Johnson, Jem, Portishead, Thirsty Merc.

Arrival
You may arrive on Saturday 21st April anytime after 11am. Early admittance is not available unless you are disabled, or traveling with somebody who is disabled. In which case, please get in touch with our team on 1800 3455 356 for further assistance. Be aware that you will need to produce a certified disabled badge on arrival. Limping does not count.
On entry to the site your tickets will be checked and you will be issued a wristband. There are different colour wristbands for different campsites. For example, if you get a blue wristband, you must pitch your tent in the blue campsite. Please do not beg/cry/shout or bribe in order to get a certain campsite ' No priorities will be given. To ensure you camp with your friends, please check in together. You will also be given a pack that includes a map of the site and a band timetable. If you want to be able to find your way back to your tent at 4am after a few too many, we suggest you keep your map on you at all times.

The Bands
Bands will overlap as it's the only way we could fit them all in! This means you'll sometimes have to decide between them. When choosing who to see, bear in mind the time it takes to walk between the different arenas (on average 10 minutes). If you want a REALLY good spot, arrive early, but there is usually room at the back for standing. There will be unlimited space to see the headlining acts, as they will be playing in the outdoor arenas, but for indoor acts be aware that there will be limited admittance. None of the arenas have seating; so if standing for hours doesn't sound appealing, bring a beach chair or something to sit on. The three biggest arenas are outdoor so an umbrella wouldn't go amiss. Believe us, it will rain. Crowd surfing and stage diving will not be permitted. After one to many bumps on the head, we decided this would be for the greater good.

Camping
Bring a heavy duty, waterproof tent because they don't call it April showers for nothing! A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they won't spent a lot of time in their tent, so it doesn't need to be warm or cosy. But when you return from the dance tent at 1am, dripping with sweat and so tired you can't keep your eyes open, the last thing you will want is a cold, flooded tent and rain-drenched belongings. Allocate a good chunk of your budget to buying a tent, and for the best deals shop online or in the sales. It is possible to purchase a tent at the festival, but the prices will be higher than in the shops. When buying a tent, ALWAYS CHECK THAT IT IS WATERPROOF ' you wouldn't believe how many aren't! Also look at how many people your tent sleeps. If there are four of you ' you'll probably need a 6-man tent. Luggage takes up a surprising amount of room. Also check ease of erection ' missing the festival because you are trying to get pole A to fit into hole C is NOT cool! Its often tempting to buy a colourful, funky tent so that you cant find it easily, but save yourself the money and stick a flag on top, or spray paint it with your own personal design.
Inside the tent, the trick is to layer it up for a good nights sleep. Start off with a groundsheet, stick a roll-up foam mattress on top and finish is off with your sleeping bag. Voila! ' Instant comfort.

Cooking up a storm
Gone are the days when the only food available at a festival was greasy burgers, which had you feeling the effects for weeks afterwards. There days, there's Chinese, Indian, Mexican, America, Canadian, Mongolian to name just a few. And there's vegetarian, vegan and seriously carnivorous to choose from! But eating three meals a day from the vendors and stalls will set you back a fair amount budget-wise, so we suggest you bring some supplies as well. If you have a camp stove, tins such as baked beans and soups are great. Otherwise stock up on biscuits, crisps, dried fruit and bread. Don't bring microwavable food, or frozen pizzas. It's not big and it's not clever.

Toilets and Showers
Toilets and showers are available on every campsite but they will be in high demand. Expect long queues. Although both toilets and showers are cleaned daily, you might not want to hang around them. Every year unsuspecting people pitch their tents nearby for easy access, and every year within a day they've had to pack up and relocate after the smell gets too bad. Learn from their mistake.
Most people can manage for three days without a shower by using deodorant spray and baby wipes. Just don't expect people to want to sit next to you on the bus home. If you do want to make use of the shower facilities though, bring trunks or a swimsuit and flip-flops. And don't forget your towel!

Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol is sold on site, but as with food, is relatively expensive. Therefore we allow you to bring as much of the good stuff as your liver requires, so long as the liquid is in a non-glass containers. No glass is permitted on site. As for drugs, we are not your mother, but please don't go overboard. An outdoor festival filled with people and noise is not the place to experiment! Only buy or take drugs from someone you know, or a credible source. A man in a trench coat, hiding in an alley is not the way to go. Make sure someone knows what you have taken and drink small amounts of water throughout. Bear in mind that if you act like a prat, you will be ejected from the site and no refund will be given. We fully support having a good time, but be aware that there will be Police on site, who have the power to search you if they think you may be in possession of illegal drugs. And we're not bailing you out.

What to bring
Warm clothes ' An essential! It's spring. It's Britain. It's going to be cold.
Toilet paper ' In case we run out. Or you spill something. Or you need to blow your nose. Or strap up a twisted ankle. Or when coming down off magic mushrooms, decide you want to mummify yourself.
Bin Bags ' For wet clothes, rubbish or wearing as a makeshift waterproof. Mmm, Attractive.
A water bottle ' There will be a tap on every campsite that can be used as drinking water. It tastes as good as the bottled stuff, and you'll save yourself two pounds a pop.
Wellies or boots ' Mud. Lots of mud.

What to leave behind
Anything electrical ' Get outta here! You're going to be living in a field.
Anything expensive ' Are you going to leave it in the tent to be stolen, or you're pocket to be dropped?
Make-up or high heels ' Enough said.
Glass or weapons of any kind ' Anyone found with glass or weapons on their person or in their possessions will be immediately removed and barred from any future events. Period.


Be warned
Stroke, lasers and other lighting effects will be used in shows.
You must be 18 to enter the site. ID may be required.
Cash machines will be available but there is, on average, a 45-minute wait.
There will be no public telephones. In an emergency, there is a telephone situated in the first-aid tent.
The festival has its own police and ambulance services, so in an emergency alert a steward immediately. Do not call 999, as even emergency vehicles are not allowed entry to site.
Please take all your rubbish with you
Finally, if you meet someone special, please let your friends know where you are and who you are with.

Want to comment on this Creative Non-Fiction? Sign up to Edit Red and you will be able to comment on Creative Non-Fiction and get access to: Upload your own stories and poems, get readers and their feedback, promote your work...