It’s that time of the year when music lovers travel around the country to festivals. This can mean hours on the road or even more waiting for a train. Just how can you pass the time when on your way to a festival such as Glastonbury or Reading?
The ways we can entertain ourselves have changed over the years. We used to play ‘I Spy’ to stave off the boredom. That was fun but became increasingly obscure – did you guess T for Tarmac? We can still play it with perhaps S for Speed camera being an option, but there’s a lot more fun.
For starters, you’re already a music lover, so you can spend your journey listening to some great songs. If you go to Glastonbury, listen to the many classics recorded by Sir Elton John, who’s appearing this year.
It’s not like the old days of playing CDs. Now you can download many great songs online, particularly from streaming sites. It’s a great way of getting yourself in the mood for the festivals you attend. Even better on the way home when you can relive the music.
How about playing some games while you’re going to a festival? They can relieve the boredom, and you’ll soon forget there are hours before you reach your destination.
One of the best games with friends during long train trips is to play poker. It brings out the competitive streak, but it’s also great fun, so long as everyone can learn the rules.
You’ll have a brilliant time trying to get straights and flushes, and if playing online, you don’t need to perfect a poker face. There are different versions of poker, so there is lots of variety if you have hours to travel.
Your weekend will be spent watching one act after another playing live. Why wait for the festival to begin before doing that? It’s not just a case of downloading the music to whet your appetite. Head to a streaming site and watch your musical heroes in concert. That’s a great way to get you even more in the mood for a weekend of top-class music entertainment.
How much do you know about the musicians you will be seeing? You may know a great deal about the more established acts, but there are so many documentaries out there that can teach you even more.
Then there are the relatively new acts you might not know about. Reading articles about them and watching interviews that have been carried out can be entertaining and informative.
How about watching some television programmes or a movie or two? If it’s not too long a journey, then you can watch a few episodes of a sitcom. Perhaps now is the time to finally start watching some of the many programmes on your ‘Watch Later’ list.
For longer journeys, a few movies might be on the menu if you’re attending several festivals; why not start on something like the Harry Potter or Star Wars movies? You’ll have seen them all when you are on your way home from the final festival.
Most of this article has been looking at forms of entertainment that rely on modern technology. There are still some fantastic ways to keep you occupied that have been around for many years.
A long journey is the perfect time to read a book (ok, you can use your Kindle reader). Finally, reading that book you’ve wanted to read for ages can happen. It could be anything from a thriller or perhaps an autobiography of a top musician.
Buying plenty of magazines can also be an excellent way to spend your time. Get some of the music papers and then impress your friends with all the knowledge you will acquire.
Of course, if you are with friends, you could always drag yourself away from your mobiles, tablets and laptops and talk to them.
Whatever you do, don’t have a boring journey to a festival. Think of getting there and back as part of the experience. Use one or more of the suggestions in this article, and you’ll have a memorable time. After all, knowing the UK weather, it might be the only time you’re dry and not covered in mud.
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