Glamping it up

So it's that time of year again and the festival season is drawing to a close. The summer months hosts a range of festivals in many different countries.. Coachella in California, Lollapalooza in Chicago, Tomorrowland in Belgium, Glastonbury in England and last but not least beautiful Ireland home to two major festivals Oxygen and Electric Picnic.


In recent years festivals have increased in popularity and now summer is not complete unless you have attended at least one music festival wellies in hand. Wellingtons are a necessity for festivals held in countries with a less than perfect climate where a deluge of rain can strike at any given moment. This is most likely in good aul Ireland or indeed the UK is prone to the same problem. 


Generally the weather is better in America! Sunglasses are essential and the atmosphere is relaxed and carefree. Although I have portrayed traditional Irish weather as gloomy and depressing it can be fun if you adopt the right attitude. This means embracing the festival spirit despite the weather. Allowing the weather to dictate your mood will provide for a very unsatisfying festival experience and earn you the moaning Minnie and nobody wants that label!


There are those who attempt to live the high life at festivals which has given rise to the term 'glamping'. Now glamming it up at campsite knee deep in dirt sounds not only difficult but utterly ridiculous. However there must be some call for it as nail hair and beauty bars have sprung up at all the major festivals this year. Pink Pamper at our very own Oxygen offers hair and beauty treatments including false eyelashes. For most people music is the number one item on their agenda but there are those few who panic about breaking a nail or indeed losing an eyelash!


Glastonbury goes one step further and offers the yurt package including a gourmet restaurant, private road access and 'showers that rival hotels' and 24 hour security for the princely sum of £5750. This is the ultimate in luxury but does it mean you sacrifice the real festival fun? There wouldn't be the same sing-songs and laughs at the yurt location as there would among the campsites as people mingle, carousing all night long.


Yes glamping might sound amazing but is it simply an extension of the rich/ poor divide that we see everyday? The rich have enjoy their expensive accommodation in an area separate to the lowly campers who pull together and make the most of their weekend revelling in the spontaneity of it all!


In theory glamping would seem like the more attractive option but when faced with the dilemma which would you choose? To slum it for a couple of days but enjoy the company of all your friends and soak up the real festival atmosphere or be stereotyped a rich fat cat as you chose to spend your festival experience in the height of dedacence?