Overview

Last weekend was the fourth Electric Fields. After going last year and having a brilliant time, we couldn't wait to go back and see if the access had improved and if it would be as fun as last year. With seeing acts like Aldus Harding, Real Estate, Anna Meredith, Foxygen, Jesus and Mary Chain and Arab Strap we were promised a great weekend. I am writing this review as somebody who has poorer balance and has has a speech barrier and who camped.

Transport & Parking

We got the bus here by 'Happy Bus' the website says its a 1.5hr journey from Edinburgh on the Friday, the 9.45 bus left at 10.15 and we arrived on site at 1pm. The bus is lead up to the box office when there's a long queue. I had asked before arriving would we get our access waistbands - and was told there would be somebody on the at the access camp. However there was some confusion and the security weren't going to let us through. However they were polite and asked at the box office and said 'thanks guys now we know.' Its about a seven minute walk from the box office to the access campsite and half way up somebody give us a lift up which was great with our heavy camping equipment etc. On the way back we got the am bus back on the Sunday as it was so cold, and we weren't really prepared to it being 2 degrees at night. We were told that the bus will be going tom Glasgow first but we got on as it warm. We left at 1.03 and got home at 3.23am, much better than freezing in the tent with 27 layers on!

Access

When purchasing tickets online there was a option to buy a free carer ticket without ringing up a special number which was really good and rare as it's normally a faff. Last year we went we were literally the only people in the accessible campsite - it was a huge ground with two portable loos. This year there was about 10 tents and 3 portable loos - 2 that were really wheelchair accessible. It would had been good that if the accessible campsite had a sign. I also liked the way they published set times and a map before everyone arrived online. Though this year there was no confusion of where we got our waistbands - though I did have to go and ask somebody at the gate. I'll be honest and say I had a baby wipe bath as the showers only had cold water and from what I could see there was no accessible showers. The arena itself was good but could be improved. The accessible seating area at the main stage was not used, only by toddlers as a play thing, it was only raised by about 20cm and it would pretty much had been impossible to see the stage - but the thought was there. The whole site was pretty much accessible but at night it got really dark and cold, some lights would had been good. The craft beer bar was brilliant, a great selection and never too busy, I've never been to a music festival when the bar was empty when the main act was on! It's not a busy festival, theres a feeling of it always being half empty but it seems more relaxed and friendly.

Toilets

They had some accessible portaloos near the main stage and accessible campsite but they weren't really advertised.

Staff

Everyone was really happy and friendly, the bar staff were friendly probably because very few people where overly merry. The security guards even seemed in a good mood as there was never any trouble.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

This festival is very small and have spent a lot of time making it more children friendly, with their 'our kids are electric area' and hopefully in their fifth year access could be improved a little bit more. I'll be back next year!

Photos