I went to V99 and narrowly avoided getting set on fire. I went again a couple of years ago, because Elbow were playing. Everyone around me appeared to be drunk out of their minds. People started bouncing on me. Then two very sweet people linked arms behind me, to create a human shield. I don't know who made me feel oldest, the bouncers or the protectors. I felt old, out of place and filled with dread about what had just been thrown into my hair. I won't go back. It's full of kids behaving as if it is their first time away from their parents.
The Cambridge Folk Festival, on the other hand, is a total joy. They even play the Archers omnibus edition across the PA system on Sunday morning. There are teams of people collecting litter and administering sun cream, the toilets play music when you go in and you can stay in a special quiet field where you can get a decent night's sleep. You can lie in the sun, reading the paper and listening to music all afternoon then have some hot mulled cider and dance until your legs give way. When Guilfest was known as Guilford Folk & Blues, that was brilliant too. It's got a lido, which makes for a very superior festival experience.
