Danielle Perry is a radio presenter at Absolute Radio, a band manager, DJ, podcaster and writer for Q Magazine. She’s also a new mum to baby Etta. Although life has changed somewhat, there is a common ground between everything and that’s what she’s going to be writing about in this new column, 'Me +1'. She’s not going to be banging on about sensory classes or Peppa Pig – but the way our interests, styles and passions shift throughout our lives and how it is possible to not lose any of your identity or fun with the impending feeling of being a proper grown up.
How on earth is it already halfway through May? This year is flying by. We love a good festival don’t we? The line ups for this years events are mostly out and being added to weekly - the countdown is on. When I talk about them on my afternoon radio show, my heart starts pounding! Music festivals were a big deal for me in my formative years - at my first ever Glastonbury I saw David Bowie; the first big stage I played in a band was Lovebox; the first festival I did backstage interviews at was the Isle of Wight; the first festival I DJ’d was the VIP tent at Reading and Leeds. It’s a pilgrimage for the music fan, and that shouldn’t stop once you’ve got kids (which I now do. HI ETTA.)
There are so many festivals out there these days - from boutique, to inner city day festivals, to long weekends in Barcelona to a few nights under canvas in Portmerion. Being family-friendly has become a massive factor in the festival business. Some are even aimed directly at families - like Camp Bestival (Mr Tumble as well as All Saints and Leftfield), and other smaller sites regularly win awards for just thinking of everything to ensure your little onehas the-time-of-their-life.
This year, due to its excellent line-up, and to be honest, VERY helpful geographical location we are heading to End of the Road down in Dorset. It is a mid-size festival in beautiful grounds with wild peacocks walking free, Father John Misty on the main stage and a very strategically placed Uncle and Auntie only a ten minute drive away..
All sounds peachy right? Hang on… this is still unchartered territory for me. What on earth do you need to take or bear in mind when flinging yourself into a field for a few days with a little one? After a detailed and thorough questioning of well-seasoned festival-going parents we can now reveal that these are the must have things to make your weekend the most magical of times.
Here are your festival essentials:
Noise defenders: you’ll instantly win in the parenting stakes with these. (I love these ones.)
Water wipes: no need for chemicals, but huge need for [these](http://https://www.waterwipes.com/
).
Fancy dress: eBay, Amazon and your imagination are your best friends. And will entertain your child no end.
Mosquito repellent: because nobody wants a bitten child (or adult) ruining their festival experience.
Fairy lights to wrap around the buggy at nighttime: speaks for itself.
**A good splash of self-belief: **usually found at the bottom of a cup of tea/gin...
See you down the front before the mask making workshop and I'll be sure to let you know how I get on...
Listen to Absolute Radio at absoluteradio.co.uk and catch Danielle Perry 4-6pm Weekdays on Absolute Radio, and on The Sunday Night Music Club - 8pm - 12am.