Throughout my twenties I wasn’t interested in going to festivals. I rarely listened to new music, my morning alarm would be joined by Magic FM playing the same songs on repeat that I’d known all my life. I also didn’t like the thought of camping, the dirt, the portaloo's, the greasy hair. I just didn’t think I’d enjoy it. And then as part of my transition into single life I dipped my toe into Field Day in London - a one day festival within walking distance of my flat which I obviously loved, from here I moved on to Glastonbury and others followed.

Due to CoronaVirus all our festivals have been cancelled for 2020, so for a bit of nostalgia, I thought it would be nice to share some festival experiences and dedicate an episode to our absent festivals. This episode takes a slightly different approach to others because it features 6 individual events rather than one overarching story over time.

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Key Characters:

Rowan - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Grace - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Beth - My best mate

Heather, Jessica, Bob, Dave, Flossie, Charlotte, Jay, Nina, Sylvia, Caitlin, Adam, Vera, Ian, Jeff, Sasha, Patrick, Hayley, Gina, Heidi, Kristin, Megan, Helen, Lee, Shane, Eddy - London friends

Dustin, Poppy - American friends

Isaac - A London friend and the first man I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship

Gerard - A festival hook up

Vince - A guy I dated

Jill - A festival crush

Corey - A festival kiss

Locations:

Field Day
https://fielddayfestivals.com/

Glastonbury
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/Areas/shangri-la/
https://www.facebook.com/lizardstage/
https://www.facebook.com/The-Rabbit-Hole-at-Glastonbury-Festival-226177724076526/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/pyramid-stage/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/west-holts/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/line-up-2020-item/the-crows-nest/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/the-green-fields/croissant-neuf/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/the-park/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/the-glade/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/beat-hotel/
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/arcadia/

Burning Man
https://burningman.org/

Green Man Festival
https://www.greenman.net/

Festival No. 6
https://festivalnumber6.com/

Shambala Festival
https://www.shambalafestival.org/
https://www.shambalafestival.org/2020/venue/chai-wallahs/
https://www.shambalafestival.org/2020/venue/rebel-soul/
https://www.facebook.com/WombyView/

Cultural References:

Same Sex Couples Act 2013
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/30/contents/enacted

StoneHenge
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

Temple Project in Derry
https://www.artichoke.uk.com/project/temple/

Entertainment References:

Magic FM
https://www.radio-uk.co.uk/magic-fm

Broadchurch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadchurch

Get Lucky by Daft Punk
https://open.spotify.com/album/2ePFIvZKMe8zefATp9ofFA

Savages
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WFsBUAgQmrGQQEUyFKS60

Solange
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2auiVi8sUZo17dLy1HwrTU

Everything Everything
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HOeqtP7tHkKNJNLzQ2tnr

Django Django
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ARO60gI5do88ho6azmzab

Drunken Sailor
https://open.spotify.com/album/5iyQuCFO65zkVXaqtBYFuo

Alice In Wonderland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice's_Adventures_in_Wonderland

Blondie
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tpUmLEVLCGFr93o8hFFIB

Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/uk

Lily Allen
https://www.lilyallenmusic.com/

Tune Yards
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0asVlqTLu3TimnYVyY5Jxi

John Wizards
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4sPLhyVBoVtdlX0MaetdVK

Duncan and Disorderly
https://open.spotify.com/artist/78eJd4sr3KsjCukSow56Ut

Lana Del Rey
https://open.spotify.com/artist/00FQb4jTyendYWaN8pK0wa

Jagwar Ma
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6fEO1r9Y9TYL9O4w5kVPmc

Jon Hopkins
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7yxi31szvlbwvKq9dYOmFI

Jamie XX
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7A0awCXkE1FtSU8B0qwOJQ

Dolly Parton
https://open.spotify.com/artist/32vWCbZh0xZ4o9gkz4PsEU

Glass Animals
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4yvcSjfu4PC0CYQyLy4wSq

James Blake
https://open.spotify.com/artist/53KwLdlmrlCelAZMaLVZqU

Kate Tempest
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1O3wYcUD08X9yb6J3xaw5M

Thelma and Louise
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelma_%26_Louise

Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen
https://open.spotify.com/album/2vDNi8F9UpSCaBHeKQ3nzh?highlight=spotify:track:3lrNq7iGL5r3KS93YiKAbC

These Arms Of Mine - Otis Redding
https://open.spotify.com/track/5kDMkphwMFCiRn0MVyykjQ

Tiny Dancer - Elton John
https://open.spotify.com/album/2OZbaW9tgO62ndm375lFZr?highlight=spotify:track:2TVxnKdb3tqe1nhQWwwZCO

War Paint
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3AmgGrYHXqgbmZ2yKoIVzO

DJ Yoda
https://open.spotify.com/artist/134rP599PLJMjrccfctkmX

Informer - Snow
https://open.spotify.com/track/2LjiPAQOVazT8sRyXL3XRs

Hot Chip
https://open.spotify.com/artist/37uLId6Z5ZXCx19vuruvv5

Don’t Look Back In Anger - Oasis
https://open.spotify.com/track/19Jo73ISw9N9UVraSYBTr5

Orbital
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3csPCeXsj2wezyvkRFzvmV

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth