Website of the week: efestivals.co.uk

By Fred Mawer
Updated: 05:00 EST, 8 May 2009

 

If you're planning on going to any of the big UK music festivals this summer, now is the time to think about sorting everything out.
 
One starting point is www.efestivals.co.uk, which calls itself 'the definitive guide to festivaling', and claims to have 'an unequalled reputation for quality and accuracy, both with festival goers, and the festival industry.'

Glastonbury

Guide: The website has information on both famous and little-known festivals

Strengths

Over 500 festivals - most but not all in the UK - are listed on the website. All the biggies, such as Glastonbury, Reading, the Vs, WOMAD, are there, with detailed write-ups covering line-ups, other entertainment and ticket options, plus critical reviews from previous years.

The listings also include lots of smaller events. By searching by region and month, I found fantastic-sounding folk, African, boogie-woogie and classical music festivals happening in July within an hour's drive of my home.

Alternatively, you can search by band/performer to find out where they're confirmed or rumoured to be playing this summer.


Advice from other punters is available on the active forums - the dedicated forums for the major festivals are particularly useful - and, if you're a first-timer to the festival scene, you may want to browse efestivals' 'indispensable guides'.

These give the low-down on everything from how to look glamorous while muddy, to types of loos and personal hygiene ('pack a toothbrush and have a splash under one of the taps if you really need to').


efestivals web page

Varied: You can search the website by region, month or artist

Weaknesses

 
While the website provides links to festivals' box offices and half-a-dozen ticket agents, it could offer a lot more advice on where best to get tickets from.
 

Ratings

Inspiring 4/5
Useful 5/5
Easy to use 4/5