20 Things You NEED To Know Before Download Festival 2023

[@YGP64]

Rule 21, If someone goes down in the pit, you pick them up Rule 22, HYDRATE Rule 23, Look after your feet, change socks when you can, I took multiple pairs to swap around Rule 24, try to find Alan or Steve Rule 25, sing Tenacious D songs on the way back from the arena

[@NickMavromatis]

Playing Download for the first time and also attending it for the first time and I'm shitting myself cause I have no clue what to expect. This video made me feel so much nicer so thank you! 🖤

[@festihead]

going tomorrow for our 1st time, good luck and hope to cya play! relax everyones chilled or off tha nut lol

[@kebabtank]

Point 13 'It gets cold of a night' Spot on and a fact that catches a lot of people out. It doesn't matter how hot it gets during the day, when the sun goes down you will feel it.

[@themusic593]

this!! just thinking adding a thermal under your t-shirt won’t cut it!!

[@TPD]

great video bud. clicked this and didnt realise it was you at first! much love

[@TheAltVaultYT]

I know I’ve told Rob this before, but you’re the reason I started making videos. Thanks so much 😁.

[@tejasgoel1544]

Great video. Love all the respectful and courtesy tips. Excited for my first download!

[@user-ng9pn9lg2p]

A word of warning, purple is NOT flat. We camped there last year and it is one giant hill :)

[@shelbskissell7677]

Hi there! New to Download and from the States =S I really appreciate the tips! Very helpful. :) We're not camping but I still hope to see you! ...you know, amongst the thousands of other people lol

[@mattpatterson9270]

Great stuff mate, thanks for this! Would have been caught out by the no glass rule but it makes total sense 😅 have a great time!

[@PRODBYSKXI]

Thank you so much, Very helpful Video -👌👌👌

[@PRODBYSKXI]

Also My first Festival

[@hannahc4641]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@MTNReacts]

Awesome video man!

[@Mydogsleepsat10pm]

Lovely video ❤

[@NothingButElliot]

Very good information for the new comers 🤘

[@cookiesontoast9981]

Main thing I'm worried about is that I won't have good enough signal to let my wife know how I am, since I'm going alone. Though me going alone will mean I can have my own schedule and I'll be much less likely to get overly drunk too.

[@Jenkm8]

Signal there is great! There's some spots with on-site free WiFi there too!

[@cookiesontoast9981]

@@Jenkm8 I've heard the opposite from many people, though if you were correct I'd of course be glad.

[@Jenkm8]

@@cookiesontoast9981 Whilst I was there last year I didn’t personally get any problems although I use Tesco Mobile which uses O2 signal

[@ajf3202]

Not going this year but probably going next. Whats it like to get there by train? Whats the nearest station?

[@TheAltVaultYT]

East Midlands Parkway is the nearest station to the site, which is about a 20 minutes train from Derby. We've never been by train before but people who we know that have said it's fairly painless if you're not taking too much with you

[@ANYTHING_717]

Very very informative, I appreciate this🙌

[@oscarhodson6265]

Can’t wait to see you all 🤘

[@darkenbladez]

Gonna be my first ever festival this year. Just curious on charging your phone? I know you touched on having a power bank, but would that be the only access to electric on-site? Some great tips in this video, so thanks!

[@riggfamily1152]

According to the map, here is a pay for use charging station. But if you are camping, perhaps get a cheap solar charger?

[@BzaSenshi]

I would highly recommend bringing a large power bank, potentially 2. There is pay to charge stations there but honestly they didn’t look the best. If you can definitely get some solar power so you can charge the power bank or if you’re confident on it, you won’t even need the power banks if you have solar energy

[@skimmyskemmed]

3 × 30000 power banks that's what I take charge phones and speaker

[@TheAltVaultYT]

I bring 2 power banks, but that's because I use my phone to film the videos on site so my battery drains quicker. Normally you'll be alright with one good one, but there's a charging facility on site if your power bank runs out over the weekend

[@MaxGriffinJames]

Great video. Id add for meeting up with uour friends in the arena.. pick a flag. The large multi coloured flags attached to fences ect. They are all individual designs to be used for that purpose 😎🤘

[@GamingWan]

What’s the difference between general and camping plus? Like is camping plus worth the extra money?

[@TheAltVaultYT]

After speaking to people who did camping plus this year, I'd say it's only worth it if you're going to make regular use of all the facilities. There are showers available to general camping, but there's long queues and the camping plus would help you avoid that. Might not be worth the extra cost, but some parts of it are definitely beneficial

[@laurenwilson5282]

Heyy I’ve enjoyed watching ur videos on KZbin about download festival and other festivals, I’m looking for a little advice on getting weed into the festival or if you know what it’s like trying to buy some inside the festival. This comment probably seems very random apologies 😂 just hoping to get a smoke in there, if you have any advice would be appreciated 😊

[@Jackchalm]

In my campsite in 2016 the Plane game was DRAGON instead. I'll be shouting that this year!

[@dontmindme3332]

My first festival ever and im doing all 4 days. But what do you do for showers?

[@ryoshamo]

I thought you couldn’t take any fuel whatsoever? I bought a hexi stove/ dragon fire tabs for this reason. Also LNT was a nice touch. Great vid mate

[@RobertJPalmer]

Good video! But can I ask where you read about the no food in the arena? Website just says not excessive amounts, so I'm guessing they're okay with like Crisps/Cereal bars? That's been the case in previous years, just wondered if they've changed rules and I missed it

[@TheAltVaultYT]

Every time we've tried to take food into the arena, even if it was sealed, it's been taken off us. Maybe we just got bad luck with stewards, but it's always been my understanding that you couldn't. Maybe try it with a small item on the first day, and then if they let you through then you know for the rest of the weekend. Hope you enjoy the festival!

[@Agentunderscore20]

Is there any chance of getting some helpful advise on attending the event solo. I've been to download a couple of times now but only for the one day. This is my first time camping and i have a full weekend eco camping ticket. I've heard many things about the so called camp loner that i wouldn't mind being a part of. But i have no idea where i stand in regards to this and information is generally scarce for someone that has zero social media activity 🤷‍♂ Also any other advice for a first time camper going solo would be appreciated 👍

[@TheAltVaultYT]

There is a camp loner for people going solo, but if you have an eco ticket you may have to still camp in that specific campsite. Normally it wouldn't be an issue, but because this year has sold out entirely, there may be issues with space. The best thing to do would be to contact the festival help team via email to see if you'd be able to camp in loner still; they're usually pretty good at answering questions quickly. Even if not, everyone at Download is really friendly; if you're camped next to a group and you're on your own, you may just get chatting to them. If you have any concerns while you're on site, the stewards and security are always there to help as well. I've never been solo so beyond that I'm not sure what help I could offer you, sorry. Hope you enjoy the festival!

[@ajr3d]

Hey all - First time at Download this year. Would you suggest showing up Wednesday to be ready for Thursday, or would arriving on Thursday be ok? Thanks

[@MrGDJ95]

If you’re camping I would suggest arriving on Wednesday so it’s easier to find a spot

[@TheAltVaultYT]

If you have a 5 day ticket it will be a lot easier to get a space on the Wednesday, plus there's lots going on on the Wednesday evening, and it's always a great time to just relax in the campsite and make new friends!

[@daleasmith75]

We’re going up tomorrow from the Isle of Wight,be a belter of a weekend as usual🤟

[@meganmacaulay4641]

I thought you could bring in food to arena ? Website just says no to excessive amounts (more than personal consumption) so i thought this means you can bring in food just like snacks like a sanwhich or breakfat bar type things

[@user-ng9pn9lg2p]

Yes you can take food in :)

[@BzaSenshi]

Yeah you can take food in. If you wanna take a tonne of food in, just make sure you use something like a dolly for your tent etc and just put it right at the bottom middle/where it takes too long to search. The festival crew really aren’t strict and you’ll get away with food easy. Camped last year and people were cooking sausages every night lol

[@meganmacaulay4641]

@@BzaSenshi I know you can into the campsite, I was talking about the arena. On website it says the same for campsite and arena - just no excessive food so I thought you could still bring in like a snack

[@heathersimpson2807]

I feel like if you are just general camping you should leave the west car park for people with eco and quiet camp tickets, cause if we get down from Scotland and can’t get in the west car park imma be pissed 🤣

[@skimmyskemmed]

They'll not let you in it says on parking pass

[@LB1973]

Whats the lottery numbers this week? :D omg the walk from North to quiet was killer

[@deimjenasgrybas5909]

Hey, how do you know what time bands are on

[@deimjenasgrybas5909]

because i havent found any information on what times will be playing

[@TheAltVaultYT]

All of the set times are on the official Download app, or go on Clash Finder and search for Download festival; that'll have a timeline so you can see who clashes with who

[@Mydogsleepsat10pm]

How is the ground for pegging the tent down? We went to 2000trees last year and couldn’t peg the tent! 😅

[@TheAltVaultYT]

Honestly depends which campsite you end up in. The ground in black and blue are nice and soft in most parts, although there are sections near gravel paths that are difficult. Orange is also quite soft, not too sure about the others. Hope you enjoy the festival!

[@TheIronRyan]

Where do I find the information regarding what camp site you are allocated to on the digital ticket? One heading is seat location but it's not obvious which site it is.

[@TheAltVaultYT]

If you have an eco, quiet, or camping plus ticket then you need to be in that specific site. If you've just got a general ticket then you can choose from any of the remaining general campsites (black, blue, green, purple, red, orange). If your ticket just says GA or General Admission, then you're able to camp in any of those 6 that has space

[@TheIronRyan]

@@TheAltVaultYT ahhh I see. Thanks very much.

[@iainwinter3117]

Last motorbike parking was in the west carpark but from the map for this year it says its in east carpark can you park anywhere else as it looks a long walk from east carpark to quiet camping

[@TheAltVaultYT]

If you have quiet camping, you should be allowed to park in West. You may have to let them know ahead of time that you'll be on a bike

[@iainwinter3117]

@@TheAltVaultYT thanks for your reply How do I contact to tell them

[@clairewilson3909]

No Fudge Bus this year! 😅

[@TheAltVaultYT]

The biggest disappointment of the weekend :(

[@TheMrdominator1997]

Can you camp general with an eco or quiet

[@TheAltVaultYT]

Normally I think you would be able to, but because this year has sold out, they'll be directing you to the campsite on your ticket. If you've bought eco, quiet, RIP, or camping plus, you won't be able to camp in any of the general campsites. You'll still be able to go into District X (the campsite village)

[@jamie-leeblair3516]

First time going and we're flying over, is there anyway in on foot or would we have to get a taxi?

[@TheAltVaultYT]

If you're flying to East Midlands Airport it may be easier to walk. It's quite a distance from the terminal, but getting a taxi will only mean you getting stuck in the traffic queue

[@jamie-leeblair3516]

@Gibby’s Digital Scrapbook thanks, if it's walkable, we will definitely just walk

[@daleasmith75]

Definitely walk,be quicker than sitting in the traffic

[@matthewmorrall224]

Just to add on noise, I recommend ear plugs.

[@chloesmith5361]

Any chance you can do one of these for Bloodstock? Would be cool

[@TheAltVaultYT]

I’ve actually never been to Bloodstock, hoping to get there this year but finances might be a little tight. Even if I don’t go, I’ll try and do a video with as many tips as I can gather 😊

[@bizarro8869]

Can you take your own booze into the Dogtooth area?

[@TheAltVaultYT]

The Dogtooth is the name of the 4th stage in the arena, which you're not allowed to take your own drinks into. But in District X (the campsite village), you can take your own drinks into the Doghouse, which is kind of a club in a big circus tent!

[@markwilken2492]

Golden rule: if someone falls in the pit, pick them up.

[@jagdeepkaul1261]

Not going to lie, I prefer an indoor arena or stadium, it feels more safer and intimate. The sound bounces off the walls better. So when your favourite band or artist goes to one of these huge outdoor festivals, why should I be forced to camp out or listen to bands I don't want to listen to? All I want to do is see my band and then go home, couldn't care less about BBQs or camping or mosh pits or anything like that. This is why I will likely never attend a large outdoor festival.

[@daleasmith75]

Is there decent beer on tap this year and not that carlsberg piss?

[@eloise746]

Someone also said that fat frank donates anything that people return to the shop to charity like homeless people I may have gotthat slightly wrong but something along those lines

[@TheMrdominator1997]

Yet fat frank is just dropshipped cheat stuff from China not at all sustainable

[@TheAltVaultYT]

I know there are definitely charity groups that collect usable items after the festival for homeless charities. I don't know if Fat Franks does it as well, but last year at Reading, we were asked to leave anything we wanted to donate standing up, as this let the volunteers know which items were usable

[@festihead]

great noobish tips for this festival, cyas 2moro afternoon he he |ii|

[@pauldickson3455]

You scouse?

[@chantellebeer]

Sounds like he’s from my neck of the woods which is from the Wirral?! ❤

[@TheAltVaultYT]

I am 😁 North Liverpool

[@pauldickson3455]

@@TheAltVaultYT am from halewood live in widnes now. Probs been in the Krazy house the same time.

[@pauldickson3455]

@@chantellebeer I work over them ways