Music festivals offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy a weekend of inhibition-losing - a time to let your hair down, get muddy and have fun with the people and bands you love. The fact that we spend hundreds of pounds to sleep in makeshift shelters, cook on small fires and sit on the floor listening to stories implies we're more than happy to go back to primal basics for a few days. In truth though, there are some luxuries that are just too difficult to forget. Thankfully, there are plenty of gadgets designed to make the whole camping experience a little more comfortable. Here are just a few of the best for 2014; the highlights from a selection published in free newspaper Metro in May:
Whatever the weather's like in the day, you're bound to get a little cold when the sun goes down. This is why it's so important to ensure you have a decent sleeping bag at hand. The main problem here, however, is that once you're warm and cosy, getting up and moving (in the morning or just for a midnight loo visit) can seem like the most difficult thing in the world. This is where MusucBag comes in handy. MusucBag is essentially a new take on the traditional sleeping bag; the main difference being that it has arms and legs. This allows for maximum mobility, comfort and, perhaps most importantly, a great night's sleep.
Anyone who's been to a festival will know how easy it is to get lost in the vast sea of multi-coloured canvas. Choosing a bright pink tent may seem like a great idea at first but when you realise that 50,000 people had similar ideas, you'll soon get frustrated. The Tent Finder is out to solve this very problem. It's essentially a high-powered light which can be left in the tent and controlled by remote. When you return from the arena or even the loos, just press the button in your pocket and watch your bed for the night glow among its neighbouring abodes.
Smartphone batteries and festivals don't really mix; especially when you spend the whole day filming your favourite bands and checking Twitter. Finnish mobile giant Nokia, however, has taken an interesting approach to solving this problem by moving a few giant steps backwards. Its new 220 device looks and feels like the handsets commonly used around 15 years ago, and it also has a battery life to match. The firm claims that it'll provide 13 hours of talk time and a whopping 51 hours of media playback. It also has social features so you don't need to miss out on the latest social goings-on. The cherry on top of the Nokia 220? It's available for just £19.99.
For those who can't quite handle the thought of leaving their beloved smartphones at home, Monster has the perfect product. The American brand, which is perhaps better known for audio cables and headphones, recently released the PowerCard - a credit card-sized device which holds enough power to provide your handset with an extra five hours of talk time. It's not just limited to mobile phones either; it can also charge a range of other things, including iPods, tablet computers, e-readers and speakers.
Ask any festival-goer and they're likely to cite a lack of hygiene as one of the most prominent bugbears of their musical camping trips - the time will come when wet wipes and deodorant just won't cut it. Assuming it's sunny enough, the Vango Solar Shower may just be the perfect solution. Portable and packable, this device holds 20 litres of water, which can be heated quickly and efficiently by the sun's rays. Then it's just a case of hanging it on a nearby tree (or asking for help from a friend) and restoring your state of cleanliness for the partying ahead.
With Glastonbury, Latitude, Bestival and a plethora of other events still to come this year, there's plenty to get excited about in the way of music festivals. Whichever one you're planning to attend, be sure to check out the wide range of useful gadgets on offer before finalising your luggage list.
Photo Credit: https://www.fieldcandy.com/