September 24th, 2008 
Tushar Mathur 
If your intention is to make visiting music festivals a common occurrence, then buying a sturdy tent is obviously the most sensible thing to do. Having a vehicle to transport you and your equipment, or if public transport is your only option, this will make a huge difference in your decision regarding what camping gear to purchase.
Without doubt being completely water proof is the first thing you should be looking at, as no matter how comfortable the mattress is you are lying on, to have it soaking wet is not an option anyone wants or needs
Next is wind proof and probably an all in one tent is the surest way of achieving both of the above. Problem is this is not a rented camping ground where probably the most usual people to be found are families. Music festivals hold all types of the human race and some will consider putting a hole in your comfy tent a very big joke. Taking this into account, strength of material and being water proof is probably your best option.
It is possible to get both wind and rain proof tents for under sixty pounds; this will of course include the ground sheet.
Next we have sleeping bags which can be very cheap, well under 20 pounds or as dear as you want. You can even have double sized bags. They all seem waterproof and have cosy inner linings. For extra warmth and comfort a li-lo or self inflating mattress is good to have, anything that keeps you further off the cold, hard ground has to be good.
Unless you intend buying all your food from an on field van some kind of stove is necessary be it one ring or 4. They are remarkably cheap and the gas containers are pretty light. You could just take a saucepan which can be used for boiling water and for cooking. Do not forget your tin opener which should have bottle opener combined. Box of matches might be a good idea.
If you are not taking a gas lamp, then a torch and (not to be forgotten) batteries, are simply a must. Not a good thing stumbling around in the dark especially in any kind of emergency. Of course toilet rolls have to be taken and silly not to take at least one water bottle. Water comes free on these sites but being without a vessel to carry it in makes no sense, oh and plastic cups and cutlery. Whatever you do don’t go without any medication you might need, that really could spoil your week-end.
Who could possibly go to a festival without Wellington boots? Even Dame Shirley Bassey wore her diamante couture wellies complete with evening dress and stepped out of her helicopter. All colors shapes and sizes they come in – the ultimate wearing apparel.
You need a sweater for the cold days and nights. Combat trousers with many pockets. A complete change of clothing has to be taken. The fields are very slippery so even if you do not get drenched there is a very big likelihood you are at least once, going to fall down into all that mud which also appears part of the music scene. A soggy clothes weekend is not the best. To keep everything dry plastic bin bags are needed - one for the dry clothes and one to separate the wet clothes from the dry clothes. They can even act as a rain coat and for rubbish that seems to accumulate.
Toiletries, sun cream and last but not least a warm jacket with hood.
Image Source: http://www.piasweaters.com
