Benicàssim 2007 #1 - A Rather Disappointing Post January 15, 2007
Posted by blanathema in Festivals, Live Music.trackback
This would be that long post I promised yesterday afternoon, so I’ll start off by saying that this topic is probably going to get one hell of a lot of coverage on The Blanathema. If, like I do with so many other posts, I tried to post a new picture to accompany the post each day, you would be sick and tired of seeing the main stage at the festival from every possible angle and at every possible time of day. Therefore, I have taken a leaf out of the book of some of the more visually enhanced blogs out there and decided that I’d make my very own crude attempt at a title banner. Sure, it’s rather poor quality but it manages to add a bit of colour to an otherwise drab post. When you see the above banner at the top of a post, you shall know exactly what it’s going to be talking about.
After much deliberation over the cost and various other factors, a large group of friends and I have decided to buy ourselves tickets to the International Festival of Benicàssim this summer. It’s set by the side of the Mediterranian, not far from Valencia, and will no doubt be extremely hot this July. The flights are not arranged just yet but we hope to be flying over a couple of days beforehand and staying for one or two nights afterwards, too. The actual festival, though, as many will already know, runs from the 19th of July to the 22nd/early hours of 23rd and I can already see that being one hell of a weekend.
We took a huge risk buying these tickets as there was no clue whatsoever of who might be gracing the stages this year, although we had a pretty good idea that if it was anything like last year, there was a right treat in store for us. Having bought our tickets late last week, we waited eagerly to find out just who was going to be playing for us. Last year, acts included the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes, Babyshambles, Scissor Sisters, We Are Scientists, Editors, Depeche Mode, Placebo and The Kooks. With a past line up like this, plus the fact that we’ll be lapping up the spanish sun, I don’t think there’s much chance of us having a miserable time. Still, our fingers are firmly crossed that we get a decent line-up for July.
Admittedly, I said that this was going to be a long post but sadly that is not to be. You see, some incredibly unreliable sources told me that the line-up was going to be released some time today but that has obviously not happened. After checking this morning before leaving the house, and again on returning at 4 o’clock, I’ve found nothing. True, it serves me right for not checking myself and shall have to reconsider my sources. Never mind, though, as I can guarantee you that as soon as the line-up is released, I’ll be back writing all about them. Expect much, much more on the subject of Benicàssim and any such related issues
EDIT: Finally, I’ll leave you with a couple of links. First of all is the official site for Benicassim festival and next you’ll see a link to Benicassimfestival.co.uk, a fan site started by someone who left a comment a bit further down the page. I’ve had a look and it’s a pretty good base for the english festival goers and contains some useful information about travelling etc. that you won’t find on the official, machine-translated website. Worth a look.
Links -
Benicassim official festival site
Benicassim Festival - UK fans site
B.
Hi, I can assure you that you will have an awesome time at Benicassim. I have been for the past 2 years running and have already purchased and received my tickets for this year.
As you have already said, no line up yet but a few rumours are Bjork, Radiohead and The View..but believe me…who ever it is it will be amazing.
Make sure you get to the campsite no later than Tuesday, head for the Bonet campsite. Although it´s the furthest away from the music arena (20 min walk, or a bus) it´s near the beach and the town. Also, there is plenty of shade (needed) etc and a 24 hour bar on site. Some of the best times i had over the past 2 visits were when you get back to the camp after the music and just hang out, chat shit to randoms and get more wasted than the night before….everyone there is fantastic, everyone i met was awesome and loads of fun
Also, definately book a hotel in Valencia or something for a couple of days after if you can….believe me, after camping in 30 - 40 degrees every day for a week you´ll appreciate air con and soft cushionings for a couple of days…to chill and take in what just happened.
Oh, another tip….take as little as possible…seriously!! IT´s HOT!! You don´t want to be lugging loads of stuff around. 1st year i took a tent….BIG mistake…toooooooo hot!! Last year, i took a hammock, a tiny bag containing a couple of pairs of shorts and a couple of t-shirts. No toiletries, no nothing…get it there…much cheaper, and less to bring with you.
I have since moved to Spain (Madrid) so getting there etc is gonna be easy for me this year…but for you, i suggest booking flights asap…they go pretty quick and can get quite expensive if you miss all the cheap deals…
Hope that helps…and see you at Beni (Well, probably not..but have a blast)
Cheers. That was really useful. We were planning on taking as little as possible as seen as it’s hardly going to be practical carrying around all that weight.
Also, if your rumours are correct, it should be absolutely amazing!
Thanks.
Hi guys, me and a few of my friends are thinking of heading to Benicàssim this summer and im just wondering if tickets are still on sale, how much they are and also how i can buy some. I found ur posts so helpful already and have convinced me i want to go to this. Ive been to oxegen for the past two years and its fuckin brilliant but the weather can be shit so we are going to head to oxegen again this summer and then then hopefully Benicàssim. I hope the line up is decent and is there any announcements yet reguarding bands?? anyway i would appreciate some info from ur guys and thanks so much.
Hi…you can get ya tickets from various places…best thing to do is go to http://www.fiberfib.com which is the official website. Indeed tickets are on sale still, they didn’t sell out last year until about March so you still got plenty of time.
Still no news on the lineup yet, all just rumours at the moment but just keep checking the oficial site and sign up for the newsletter, then you will know immediately when they have confirmed bands.
Erm, yeah, really, as above. The website is the best place to look and I bought my tickets off Lastminute.com. Apparently that had the lowest service charge etc. but I never really looked into it. For the sake of a few pounds I couldn’t be bothered.
Anyway, will have to register for Glastonbury tickets after tomorrow.
Really looking forward to Benicassim Festival I have even started a UK fans site at http://www.benicassimfestival.co.uk
I will be adding a messageboard soon so you can chat about the festival too
Cheers, I’ll pop that link into the post.
Hi, I went to Benicassim in 2003 and it was out of this world. I have bought tickets and booked flights for this year and am starting to get very excited now. I agree with the other posters that travelling light is definately a good idea. If you want to bring more than the bare minimum then hire a car.
I would, however, say that if you like to party, then the campsite beside the festival site is the one for you. Yes it’s more noisy than the other one but you’re not going to get any sleep anyway (until you go to the beach in the afternoon perhaps) because the bands/DJs don’t finish until 8AM and it’s too bloody hot to sleep after 8 in the morning!
Enjoy!
hey me and my mates have already booked our tickets bt we could only get the 3 day tickets…we fly there on the day the festival starts bt we cant go to the festival untill the 2nd day! weve already booked our flights n are there for 5 days…one PROBLEM…CAMPING??! we have been told the camp sites that are free with the multiday passes will most prob have no space by the time we get there…we have been recomended to one a bit further aways from the festival which is nearer the beach etc…does any body know anything about it?
other than that i dont care that i dont know the line up yet…the whole experience just seems too much that im whilling to take the risk!
Hi, I presume the campsite you are talking about in Bonet…this is the one furthest from the music arena. The 2 times i have been this is where i have stayed, but then i have always got there on the Monday (the day the campsite opens) so the place is empty. This is the one they opne first, bu Tuesday evening it´s full. Wednesday morning they open the 2nd site and once that is full the 3rd site. I guess by the time you get there it will be the 3rd site you´ll get on. Unfortunately i know nothing about this site….
As for the line-up…i honestly don´t care…i have faith and know that either way, i´ll have a fecking blast.
a few have been announced…. http://fiberfib.com/en/line-up/line-up-2007/
Hi, just wanted to add something, as have been reading this post in the past. Am going this year and planning to get the campsites on Wednesday (hopefully there’ll be some space in Bonet then). Am also planning a couple of nights chilling at a decent hotel in Valencia afterwards! My question is about timing. Presumably the first night of music at the festival is Thursday - anyone any idea what time it all kicks off? And similarly, presumably the last night of music is the 22nd. Does that mean everyone buggers off on the 23rd? Or is there something on that day too (probably used to be the beach party I guess, but that’s cancelled this year). Ta, Mark.
P.S Line-up ok so far, but not amazing. Have heard a couple of v big names rumoured to play, so fingers crossed one of them materialises.
Hi Mark, Yes “FibStart” is on the Thursday…it starts around 20:00 i think and goes on until about 02:00 if i remember rightly…it´s like a warm up night. Then yes, the last night of music will be Sunday. As far as i am aware the organisers are still fighting for the beach party to go ahead, i think it would be a major shame for this part of the festival not to go ahead as both years i have been it´s been one of the highlights….Miss Kitten last year was awesome, everyone dancing in the sea…Lasers shooting across the Med and bouncing off the waves, it was fecking magical..I usually stay until the Tuesday, but if no beach party then may head to Valencia or maybe even go see some friends in Palma, not decided yet. As for the line up, yea…i think it´s looking ok to start..believe me, there will be alot more names to come. Also, don´t always look out for the big names..i know you want to go see some well known big bands playing, but some of the lesser know or not known at all groups can be just as good, if not better!! We got to one of the tents an hour early last year, so was waiting for Bambyshambles to come on when this French band “Dionysos” come on…..without doubt the best act i saw at benicassim last year….totally blew the roof off the place!!
Cheers. Just clarifying…would the beach party be Monday then, if it goes ahead?
Yes, Monday night…22:00 - 06:00
Looking forward to our first trip to Benicaassim.Hope we wont bring the Glastonbury weather with us!If any one sees a broken down 1991 Land Rover Defender some where lost in Spain GIVE US A PUSH.See you all there
Lots of love.
Any one wants to send us a direct message,e-mail address below.
e-mail for Janie and Hugo jakalsbandmanagement@hotmail.co.uk.
Check out The Jakals at http://www.myspace.com/thejakalsband
Hi,
So…we have the 2nd lot of announcements…MUSE!!! Nice….the rumours are getting bigger about The Killers & Bowie too..
Benicassim is a fantastic event.. it is just so chilled out. I went last year, and intend on returning every year i possibly can. The lineup last year was interesting, before hand it wasnt that grabbing to me, afterwards though i am so happy i went.
I wouldnt ordinarily of chosen to see morrisey, depeche mode or franz ferdinand, but they were truely fantastic. The surroundings are superb and every one there i met was amazing.
This year were making a bit of a tour out of it, spending a week on menorca to get used to the heat, before heading to benicassim for the week, then onto barcelona for a chillout session afterwards…it should be awesome!
is it really really tragic to turn up wednesday afternoon to camp, only flights we could get from milan where we’ll be!after reading this im really worried!
How hot is it please?
Like estimations?
And How tight are they on ID? I know its an Over 18 events but what form of ID do they accept?
Jess
Hi Alexandra,
Wednesday afternoon is fine. There are 3 campsites. Bonet opens on Monday afternoon and is usually rammed by Tuesday night, then the one next to the music arena opens on Wednesday morning (CampFib) and i think a few people usualy leave Bonet to go there, but not many. Then once that is full the 3rd campsite opens.
So…you will have no problems.
Hi Jess…
OK, last year was the hottest Benicassim on record..it got up to 43ºC. Believe me, it´s facking hot but then you have the gorgeous Med to swin in
Obviously for camping it´s a bit difficult, hence why i now bring a hammock instead of a tent. Personally i love hot weather but it´s a real test, alot of my friends last year just couldn´t take it but it´s all down to your own tollerance levels i guess.
As for ID, what do you mean? I don´t think i have ever seen anyone have to produce any sort of ID. People under 18 are allowed to attend the festival as long as they are with a parent/guardian. You are allowed to produce a letter saying that a said person is your guardian..as far as i am aware it´s all you need.
I presume you have a passport, so if you need ID then use that.
Hope that helps.
4 Day camping tickets going spare…..
After taking a punt on four of us having a cracking 5 days in the sun seeing some top bands…and buying tickets for all four of us - my mates have pulled out on me..Not wanting to put the tickets on ebay or make any kind of profit just my money back I wondered if anyone on here had any friends wanting to go who are struggling to get 4 day camping tickets? Alternatively if anyones know of any good non- tout ticket sites I could advertise on it would be much appreciated. I have had them listed on swap my ticket but no interest so far!!!???
Hey I may be needing a couple of four day passes and can’t seem to get any at the min. How much did you pay for them with booking fee?X
Sorry to intervene but just as a bit of information: we’ve got two 4-day passes going spare. Would be willing to sell them for about £100 each, which is cheaper than they are with booking fee etc. over the internet. Do let me know as we’re desperate to sell them and get a bit of money back.
hey im going to benicassim, obviously very excited. going to be in the south of france so driving there with some mates on the monday. is it going to be safe to leave car? and also very confused by the whole beach and camping situation. i figured campsite by the venue was the best, but wheres the beach? and isnt it annoying to bus it between bonet and venue?
Hi Charlie….
To be honest i guess it doesn´t make a difference where you stay. I am merely pointing out my experiences. This will be my 3rd year of going, both times in the past i have stayed at Bonet. I only got the bus back once last year, and once there the year before. It´s not annoying at all, takes 5 mins…if that. But i always used to walk, it´s fun…chat to randoms…it´s all part of the experience whilst in some sort of drug/alcohol induced haze!! Bonet is about a 15/20 min walk to the beach (depending on how hot it is), i am guessing the one near the music arena takes a bit longer. As far as i am aware it´s safe to leave cars there etc, never heard of anyone getting stuff nicked. It´s a great place with a great vibe and people are just there to have fun.
Hi, I read on a message that you shouldn’t take a tent, just a hammock? But where do you leave your stuff during the day? Also does anyone know how much it costs to travel by train from Barcelona to the venue? I read on a site that you shouldn’t camp at all and should stay in a hotel close by, but personally I would have thought that would be against the whole point of a festival!? Last question (for now) what are the facilities like, as in showers and toilets?
Thanks
hola nicole,
whether or not you want to camp is, i guess, a personal preference. there are those who don’t like camping, and those who like camping but find it tough in the heat and very packed conditions on the campsite at F.I.B.
these may be factors for you to consider, but for me there is no doubt in my mind camping is a huge part of the festie experience and i don’t imagine F.I.B. without the camping.
if however, you decide to book a hotel i suggest you do that sooner rather than later… they get booked up rapidly and from my understanding the prices tend to increase quite quickly too!
re: facilities on camp - there are buildings with showers (no hot water) and toilets, plus several extra portaloos on site and these have always felt luxurious to me in comparison to other festies i’ve experienced. i’m talking here about camp bonet - there are 2 other campsites which open once bonet has been filled, and from what i understand they have open showers…. either way, it’s often most enjoyable to do your showering on the beach (15 mins walk away from bonet) with the sun shining down on you… gorgeous!!
m.x
Blanathema, if you’re still looking to shift those tickets, I’ll take them off you. Getting a bit frightened that we might have missed the boat. Tickets seem to have been on sale for years, and I’m only getting paid on Friday.
I’d willingly get rid of them. Just send me an e-mail and let me know the details etc. I’d be happy to get rid of them and get a bit of money back! Thanks.
e-mail: blanathema@googlemail.com
Hello Jo/Blana. Are any of those tickets still going? If you could email us on oliver _ birtill hotmail . com (without the spaces!) that’d be ace. Cheers.
I need two four day tickets. Do any of you still have some going?
Just e-mail me:
if we decide to just take a hammock instead of a tent, are there enough trees to put your hammock up?
Well….on Bonet yes. Remember there are 3 different camp sites. So, i always get there early Monday so i can pick my spot. If you are getting there any later or you end up on a different campsite then it may be different/harder.
Oh, and Nicole…in answer to where do you leave your stuff if you just take a hammock….
Just don´t have any stuff…it´s easier!!
cant wait to go to the festival this year and our flight arives in valencia at 11am on the tuesday!ive never been before so it would be great if some of u could answer a couple of questions for me!
firstly if we arrive at about 2ish on the tuesday there will there still be space for us on the bonet campsite for a group of about 10/5 tents (thats where we wanna be cause aparently theres lots of shade and its close to the beach)!
and secondly do u no if the fesival supplys a bus for people to gt from valencia airport to the festival?
Hi Lily….yea, first year i went we arrived late tuesday night and still got on to Bonet..you´ll be fine!! Infact, it´s the only place you can go cos the other sites won´t be open
Yes, there is a bus from Valencia Airport straight to the campsite. You can´t miss the FIBERFIB desk inside the airport just as you come out of arrivals…then the bus is just outside. Cost us €20 last year!!!
You´re gonna have a blast…i can´t go enough about how good this festie is
Bonet is the best campsite….24h bar/party/fun
thanks john!that info really helpfull!
Hi Blanathema,
This is going to be my first benicassim and i cant wait. But is there still some artists to be confirmed, i have bought my tickets and the trip is sorted but iam still a little bit disappointed compared to the line up of past years?
Cheers
Hi Flushy….some more artists were announced today. Go to http://www.fiberfib.com and check it out. I believe there is still a couple of “headliners” to be announced, but to be honest i wouldn’t worry too much. There is so much more to this festie than just “headliners”. Just wandering round the tents you’ll be amazed what you discover. I’d be amazed if at the end of Benicassim you are in any way disappointed.
beni this year is gonna be my first, but i went to reading last year. for anyone who’s been to both, how would you compare them??
i’ve got my benicassim tickets and flight tickets organised. so am already looking forward to this holiday
10 days in spain from the 15th to the 25th!! but i’m still a little worried about the lineup when compared to other years. I know the experience alone will be worth it, but for the amount of money we’re paying i would like to see some more high profile bands! and what about the dj lineup? i’m really into electronic music! i’m sure usually there are much more djs confirmed then this year? will the dj confirmations keep rolling in till right before the festival? i can’t wait for the PARTYING to begin!!
Having read posts on camping I am now scared! I will not be arriving at Benicassim until midday Friday (only got a 3-day pass)! Is there any chance at all of being able to camp?! If anyone can help a reply would be massively appreciated. Ta!
Hi Dan,
Yea…you´ll be able to camp but will obviously not have the luxury of picking ya spot. By then it´s gonna be packed everywhere i imagine so you´ll end up in the 3rd campsite, no idea of name or location but i think it´s fairly near to the arena area. Don´t worry at all…everything will be fine and you´ll not be spending to much time on site anyway, you´ll either be on the beach, in a bar or at the music.
Hope that helps
John, you seem to know your stuff, just another quick question. Does anyone know how near parking is available? is it near bonet/beach/venue? Cant wait, see you all there!
Hi Charlie,
There is no parking on any of the campsites but there is parking available right next to the venue.
Also, there is plenty of parking in town and next to the beach. I´ve never used a car myself but my mate hired one last year and he had no problems at all.
Hope that helps…and yea, see ya there
It´s getting close now, i can almost smell it…
hey, um….if you’re under 18, will there be a problm getting in if you’re not going with anyone over 18?
Not sure…i think you just need a signed letter from your parents.
Hey Guys,
I have been trying to book hotel/hostal and its just impossible..
Also I have tried other places/towns around! I live in Valencia and therefore have been thinking about maybe driving a couple of times…
However after reading about the bus from the airport I just wanted to know if the bus will be running to - from Valencia everyday?
Sorry but I guess Im to old for the camping even if its part of the thing..
Hi….yea, way too late. These places get booked up pretty much as soon as the dates for Beni are released.
As for the buses from Valencia Airport to beni, i don´t think they run every day…only for the first couple of days going to the campsites and then once the festie is over.
Keep checking this link..they will update it with a timetable nearer the event.
http://fiberfib.com/en/benicassim/how-to-get-around/how-to-get-around/
hi all,
goin to benicassin for first time and due to holiday restraints can only go out late on the Friday!!! is this too late?? we r planning to camp but have no tickets yet, but really excited and have heart set on going. Would it be worth it or wait till next year.
Have you (or any readers) now sold your Benicassim tickets? If you have spares, and don’t want to rip off a fellow music lover, can you please email sevans110@hotmail.com and I can make arrangements to buy them from you?
how far away are shops from the campsite or are there food stalls in the campsite?
Sorry, I’ve already sold my spare Benicassim tickets but I’m sure there are still some out there going for a fair price.
Ben…depending on what campsite you are in really!! Bonet has a 24 hour bar that sells food of some description..pizzas, burgers/hot sandwiches. But you are only about a 10 min walk to the town with loads of bars, restaraunts and supermarkets.
The other campsites are further from town and i have no idea what they have onsite as never been to them!!
Hope that helps.
hi guys
i have 2 spare 4 day tickets (so includes 9 days of camping) - my boyfriend and i can’t afford to go anymore and i could really do with getting the money back on them!
if anyone’s interested email me at: sunshine_smile85@yahoo.co.uk
(just so you know i’m going to put them up on some other forums etc. too, but i just want to recoup the costs, not make additional money on them!)
hi.
theres messages here saying don’t take anything except a hamock and a few tshirts and shorts!
However were moving on to barcelona after the festival, we obviosly need to take some extra stuff with us, planning on taking a hiking bag.
Is there gonna be any where to store our stuff except our tent?
and also does anyone know about train to barca, buying tickets first? or when were there ect?
thanks
Hello NathG
You need to ring Spanish Rail to get your train tickets in advance in the UK. They are often engaged but don’t give up - it took me a couple of weeks!!
http://www.spanish-rail.co.uk/
Gill
Hi,
I’ve done a single page printable pdf showing this years bands, stages & times. Previous years are also available to bring back those memories.
doh! - and here it is:
http://gigleaf.blogspot.com/search/label/Benicassim
Hi everyone,
First time going to Benicassim,and i have lots of questions.
Does anyone know if it’s quicker to get the direct bus from the airport or to get a train..Even if it is slower on the bus is it more convenient as we will be there on the first day and so have first choice of campsite etc.
do you have to book the bus from the airport or just turn up?
consiering we will be in the first campsite and most people on here recommend hammocks are there trees and stuff to hang them up on?
one more question, can someone please tell me the exact system of getting the wristband because im 17 ad not going with anyone who si 18…panicking a bit now
thanks]
xxxxxx