Boomtown is chaotic and unforgettable – but after six days of tents and toilet trauma, I decided I’d officially retired from raver life and this is the main reason why
Boomtown isn’t your average festival. It’s immersive, theatrical, and borderline unhinged – in the best and worst ways. I’ve been twice, and both times gave me memories I’ll never forget. But I’ve definitely reached my limit and I won’t be back – even if I was paid.
The truth is, I didn’t go because the line up blew me away – it’s not even really my kind of music. Sure, I can appreciate a cheeky Basslayerz drum and bass mix but that’s as far as I’ll go with that genre. My friends convinced me to go and to be honest, they sold it to me – I was excited to go, intrigued by what the festival would offer.
I’d never been to a camping festival before and the idea of camping made my belly hurt. But I was 18, wide-eyed and finally getting a taste of freedom after growing up with a strict mum (which I’m grateful for now, by the way).
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When I arrived, it was nothing I’d ever imagined, it was like stepping into a horror film set but this one was filled with thumping bass and actors running towards you. Boomtown’s not all bad and that’s the thing – it’s a love-hate experience. One I think everyone should try just once.
On one unexpected night we decided to go to this ‘abandoned’ house set and I was met with such a surprise, instead of the usual drum and base genre, they were blasting soca music. Now, while I said money wouldn’t make me go back – a full Caribbean themed weekend would for sure. Another experience that will always stand out to me was seeing Lauryn Hill performing.
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If you’re considering going to Boomtown, party within your limits, because no one warns you that camping there it’s basically a full time job. There’s the early set-up day, five days of music (I think, I lost count), and then most people leave the day after it ends. You’re camping for nearly a week, and survival mode starts early.
We had to find a space for our tent and our best bet was on a hill, which resulted in an awkward night’s sleep and a literal uphill battle just to get some rest. Also, I was young at the time so I didn’t really care, but overcrowded in a tent isn’t for the faint hearted.
The toilets still haunt me – like every other festival toilet – and the signal at the festival was terrible, so make sure you stick together or assign a meeting point.
I have to give Boomtown credit – the world-building and immersive elements are next level. The actors, the pretend businesses, the wild setups – it’s like stepping into another dimension.
If I had to describe Boomtown in one word, I’d still say: unforgettable. But now I’m in my mid twenties, I like festivals that start in the morning and finish that very night. My body can just about handle one night out let alone five in a row.
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