his week’s story of how Sydneysider Greg Donovan came to found the Big Red Bash music festival near Birdsville, Qld, is truly inspiring. I won’t spoil the story, which is team chatting about the festivals and outdoor concerts we’ve enjoyed over the years, especially in our younger days! I had some great times at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival in my 20s, although one year, after wading through farm mud for four days straight, I managed to come home with a nasty leg rash and had to take a trip to the doctor. I maintain it was all worth it to see Dolly Parton! I wasn’t alone in my festival mishaps. Writer Claudia turned up at a festival only to realise she’d forgotten the tent for her and her best friend. ‘One of our very lovely guy friends lent us his and slept outside for three nights,’ she said. What a gent! Meanwhile, our picture researcher Holly was on her way to Byron Bay’s Bluesfest last year with her partner when their van broke down, leaving them stranded 20 minutes away in Burringbar, NSW. Thankfully, some friendly locals drove them to the festival. ‘We had a great time forgetting our car troubles,’ she said. I think Claudia and Holly’s stories show how festivals can be as much about coming together and looking out for people as they are the music. That’s certainly the case with Greg, his wife Raylene, and the Big Red Bash, and I hope it has many more anniversary years. Do you have any festival stories? Do tell us!
