FastrackUK helps you get the most out of Summer  

The last decade or so has seen the UK music festival scene explode. Now, as well as world renowned events such as Glastonbury and Isle of Wight, every region in the UK appears to be hosting their own fixture. Festivals are about the experience and the variety of music on offer. The eclectic mix of people and music, the fact that you are away from home and probably sleeping outdoors, all add up to an unforgettable experience 

First things first, Get a plan of action !
Good planning is a must if you stand a realistic chance of getting tickets for many of the summer festivals. This means monitoring the web and checking up on official sites months in advance, so that you can work out where your favourite bands are on and also when tickets will go on sale. Be warned tickets can sell out within a day. Good websites to monitor are www.efestivals.co.uk and www.virtualfestivals.com 

Neil Greenway is the founder of efestivals;
The UK probably has the greatest variety of festivals available anywhere, so whatever your tastes they'll be something that'll suit. For the full experience it's better to choose a camping festival, but of course that comes with downsides too particularly if the weather isn't so good.

According to Neil the secret to success is ‘be prepared’. Websites like his offer lots of useful advice from people who’ve done it all before

The Indispensable Festival Guide

  • Tent - the bigger the better (especially if it's wet).
  • Sleeping Bag - nothing too fancy is necessary killer guy ropes. 
  • Penknife - for opening cans and bottles, etc.
  • Loo Roll - oh yes … you don't want to have to trudge for half an hour to get one. 
  • Matches/Lighter - for those late night fires or Camberwell Carrots.
  • Water Container –
  • Sun Block/Lotion - never believe the weather forecasts and bring some. 3 days with little shelter can test even the darkest skins.
  • Rain Proof Anorak - never believe the forecasts and bring one (many use black bin liners with holes cut out)
  • Hefty Boots/Trainers - you'll be on your feet a lot so those flip flops will lose their appeal. 
  • One Complete Change of Clothing - a reminder for those of us who have had to pull on soaking wet clothes in the morning ... not pleasant.
  • to read more http://www.efestivals.co.uk/info/

UK Summer Festivals
The following is just a taster of what’s on offer during the UK Summer.  If you can’t get tickets this time round , then just get planning for Summer 2009

  • June 28  -  Glastonbury Festival, Pilton, Somerset - The original and, some would say, still the best. This year, like last, you had to register your details and a passport photo by March to be in with a chance of a ticket. 
  • July  5 - O2 Wireless, Hyde Park -  More of a series of big gigs in London's famous park than a weekend festival, though you can save money by buying tickets for multiple days. 
  • July 19 - Lovebox Weekender, Victoria Park, London
  • July 26th - Global Gathering, Long Marsden Airfield, nr Stratford-upon-Avon
  • August 2 - Big Chill Festival, Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire
  • August  16  -  Green Man Festival, Glanusk Park, nr Crickhowell, Brecon Beacons An award-winning festival in a gorgeous part of Wales
  • August 23  - Reading and Leeds Carling Weekend - The festival formerly known as Reading Rock now has a sister festival in Leeds
  • August 30 - Hydro Connect, Inveraray Castle , Argyll, Scotland . Another Scottish festival in a dramatic location,
  • September 6 - Bestival, Robyn Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight 
  • September  13 - End of the Road, Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset The perfect way to round off the summer.

Festivals in Europe
If you want to venture further a field the rest of Europe is now seeing a crop of festivals springing up throughout the year. According to Neil Greenway however quality is hit and miss;

Outside of the UK it's swings and roundabouts - there's normally a large number of local-ish bands who aren't that well known outside the area. However these festivals are often wilder in atmosphere as they don't have the amount of regulation that there is in the UK. Very popular with people from the UK this year is Exit in Serbia.