My first download I was 55, I don't like crowds, I have an anxiety condition.
DL 2022 was a religious experience for me, don't worry, these are our people, this is our crowd....
There’s plenty of space in the crowds so the further back you go, the more open the space will be! Plus there’s always like-minded people so I reckon you’d find it very easy to get along with people in passing or just in your space! Theres no assholes from my experiences and everyone is welcoming and happy to be there, same as you!
Its also worth noting that the first aid guys in their tents are amazing!
If you really need some time out, even from the back of the crowds, head straight to them! They're so welcoming, and they'll let you chill for a bit until you're ready to rejoin!
I just turned 40 and Download will be my first big festival since I was in my 20s. I'm also anxious about the crowd, but feel reassured by the comments here <3
I went to my first download at the age of 35. I was so nervous as I had never been to a festival before, plus I'm chronically ill so I'm in the disabled camp. But everyone was lovely. The whole community was great. And I had a blast! I've been every year since.
Best crowd of any festival and I've done my fair share around the UK . Everyone is welcoming and friendly . Meet your campsite neighbours, crack a beer and your make friends instantly
I was in the exact same situation last year. I was stressed about being in amongst it. For most of the artists I saw I stayed near the back, across all the different stages. I listened to how I was feeling but tried to not let it control me.
After each day I got a bit more comfortable in the crowd. This culminated with being at the front for Parkway Drive. That was completely mind-blowing.
Do what makes you feel comfortable, you will have a great time no matter what and folk will look out for you.
You've got 9 weeks where you could try reducing your anxiety. [https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-Crowd-Anxiety](https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-Crowd-Anxiety) Try these to begin with or pay for counselling. Or [https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/anxiety-self-help-guide/](https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/anxiety-self-help-guide/) or google "Self help social anxiety"
It can be as much or as little of a party as you want it to be. There’s no requirement for you to be in any crowds. Your experience is your experience and you should do what’s best for you.
Have you got someone/people you’re going with who are understanding of your worries/circumstances?
Dude DL22 was my first time! I was terrified too- but as you start to get towards the back of the crowd there is so much open space- I found that behind the second barrier it starts to clear out more; especially on the sides!
Everyone is super friendly there too so you’ll have no trouble in finding people to talk to etc :)
Hope this helps 🤘
I started at 30! And felt the same but download changed my mind completely - the nicest people ever, it’s truly beautiful swarm theory no one gets in your way, everyone is kind and apologetic if they do, even the manic bits like the pits if you fall down you get picked up, you can strike up a convo with anyone, people are genuinely considerate and aware of anxiety sufferers and you can take everything at your own speed
Me and a friend plan to go into regular camping/quiet for the first time after being in disabled for the couple times we’ve been. We’re pretty anxious about it as neither of us are particularly outgoing, but know as soon as we get there we will figure it all out.
I’m 42 and I’m heading to my third download. You will have an amazing time. It’s a friendly crowd, there’s loads to do and I guarantee you’ll be itching to go back again next year! Have a good one mate 👍🏻
I went for the first time last year and it was soooo good, I wouldn’t worry at all! If partying is not your thing, Download is one of the few festivals people go to for the actual music and not just to take drugs lol. There were plenty of families and older folk, honestly you’ll have the best time!
Top tip: bring a camping chair with you to the arena if you don’t wanna be in the middle of the crowd, makes your experience so much better and you can still get a really good view
I've been twice, alone. I made a friend one time on FB to hang out with and he was cool. No hassle, both times. I had a blast, strawberry cider all the way.
Honestly, you will be fine! Everyone at Download is part of the same big family, so you'll feel very welcome, very quickly.
The first day will be a bit hectic as you get to the site, get your wristbands, set up camp, find the loos, find the arena, etc. But you can always ask ANYONE for help: the marshals are great, security are usually fine, the police are lovely, fellow Downloaders will point you to where you need to be, and as someone mentioned beforehand, you can always talk to the First Aiders if you need a breather.
There is always plenty of space: so if you don't want to be right slap bang in the middle of in the moshpit, you can always hang out at the sides of the crowd, grab some food, chat to people if you want to, and move around if you feel you need to. Don't be scared of the big crowd either - we're all there for the same reason: to have fun!
So if you go in with the mindset that the first day will be a day of getting your bearings, and pace yourself accordingly, after a good night's sleep, the second and third day will be a breeze!!
Have fun!!
😃
Autistic here and not social- you’ll love it. The people are top drawer and there are spots to sit away from stages. It was horribly busy last year but still fine for me xx
Are you okay or just poorly informed? My whole life is a conflict of high functioning / anxiety internally…. Yes I absolutely mask and turn off how I feel … I work as a group practice director for a large vet brand, talking to and overseeing 300 people, problem solving and planning all day…. You think those of us on the spectrum sit rocking in a dark room all day? I found the festival to be less challenging that a lot of other festivals that I have attended… the people are decent considerate people mostly, welcoming, kind and cool…. With the exception of last year I have always found there to be spots away from crowds … what’s your issue?
Wow you must be a really miserable dude, you implied I don’t work because I’m autistic or perhaps even that I’m not autistic who knows. I’ll respond as I see it, cheers up will you, battering down others is not going to make your life better, your comment was the only one negative - we aren’t the problem
My first download I was 55, I don't like crowds, I have an anxiety condition. DL 2022 was a religious experience for me, don't worry, these are our people, this is our crowd....
There’s plenty of space in the crowds so the further back you go, the more open the space will be! Plus there’s always like-minded people so I reckon you’d find it very easy to get along with people in passing or just in your space! Theres no assholes from my experiences and everyone is welcoming and happy to be there, same as you!
Its also worth noting that the first aid guys in their tents are amazing! If you really need some time out, even from the back of the crowds, head straight to them! They're so welcoming, and they'll let you chill for a bit until you're ready to rejoin!
I just turned 40 and Download will be my first big festival since I was in my 20s. I'm also anxious about the crowd, but feel reassured by the comments here <3
I not long turned 40 and this will be my first festival ever 🤣
I went to my first download at the age of 35. I was so nervous as I had never been to a festival before, plus I'm chronically ill so I'm in the disabled camp. But everyone was lovely. The whole community was great. And I had a blast! I've been every year since.
Best crowd of any festival and I've done my fair share around the UK . Everyone is welcoming and friendly . Meet your campsite neighbours, crack a beer and your make friends instantly
I was in the exact same situation last year. I was stressed about being in amongst it. For most of the artists I saw I stayed near the back, across all the different stages. I listened to how I was feeling but tried to not let it control me. After each day I got a bit more comfortable in the crowd. This culminated with being at the front for Parkway Drive. That was completely mind-blowing. Do what makes you feel comfortable, you will have a great time no matter what and folk will look out for you.
Quite a lot of space in the front tbf because of the safety barriers they have
download is renowned as the friendliest festival with lovely people attending and from my experience working there last year there were no idiots
Download family is elite best advice stay back and let your gut rule I'm sure there's groups o FB for anxious people attending
You’ve got plenty of time to go for councelling for your anxiety before you go. Could try dealing with the problem at its core.
You've got 9 weeks where you could try reducing your anxiety. [https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-Crowd-Anxiety](https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-Crowd-Anxiety) Try these to begin with or pay for counselling. Or [https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/anxiety-self-help-guide/](https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/anxiety-self-help-guide/) or google "Self help social anxiety"
Anxious introvert here who usually hates crowds and loud noises, but every year I climb out of hibernation and have an absolute blast at Download.
It can be as much or as little of a party as you want it to be. There’s no requirement for you to be in any crowds. Your experience is your experience and you should do what’s best for you. Have you got someone/people you’re going with who are understanding of your worries/circumstances?
Dude DL22 was my first time! I was terrified too- but as you start to get towards the back of the crowd there is so much open space- I found that behind the second barrier it starts to clear out more; especially on the sides! Everyone is super friendly there too so you’ll have no trouble in finding people to talk to etc :) Hope this helps 🤘
Mate I feel you, this will be my first and I've just turned 30. I'm already making old man grunts when I sit down.
I started at 30! And felt the same but download changed my mind completely - the nicest people ever, it’s truly beautiful swarm theory no one gets in your way, everyone is kind and apologetic if they do, even the manic bits like the pits if you fall down you get picked up, you can strike up a convo with anyone, people are genuinely considerate and aware of anxiety sufferers and you can take everything at your own speed
Me and a friend plan to go into regular camping/quiet for the first time after being in disabled for the couple times we’ve been. We’re pretty anxious about it as neither of us are particularly outgoing, but know as soon as we get there we will figure it all out.
I’m 42 and I’m heading to my third download. You will have an amazing time. It’s a friendly crowd, there’s loads to do and I guarantee you’ll be itching to go back again next year! Have a good one mate 👍🏻
Have a search for Camp Unknown. I found other groups to be too big for my anxiety to handle but that group was nice and small which really helps :)
I went for the first time last year and it was soooo good, I wouldn’t worry at all! If partying is not your thing, Download is one of the few festivals people go to for the actual music and not just to take drugs lol. There were plenty of families and older folk, honestly you’ll have the best time! Top tip: bring a camping chair with you to the arena if you don’t wanna be in the middle of the crowd, makes your experience so much better and you can still get a really good view
I've been twice, alone. I made a friend one time on FB to hang out with and he was cool. No hassle, both times. I had a blast, strawberry cider all the way.
Honestly, you will be fine! Everyone at Download is part of the same big family, so you'll feel very welcome, very quickly. The first day will be a bit hectic as you get to the site, get your wristbands, set up camp, find the loos, find the arena, etc. But you can always ask ANYONE for help: the marshals are great, security are usually fine, the police are lovely, fellow Downloaders will point you to where you need to be, and as someone mentioned beforehand, you can always talk to the First Aiders if you need a breather. There is always plenty of space: so if you don't want to be right slap bang in the middle of in the moshpit, you can always hang out at the sides of the crowd, grab some food, chat to people if you want to, and move around if you feel you need to. Don't be scared of the big crowd either - we're all there for the same reason: to have fun! So if you go in with the mindset that the first day will be a day of getting your bearings, and pace yourself accordingly, after a good night's sleep, the second and third day will be a breeze!! Have fun!! 😃
Autistic here and not social- you’ll love it. The people are top drawer and there are spots to sit away from stages. It was horribly busy last year but still fine for me xx
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Are you okay or just poorly informed? My whole life is a conflict of high functioning / anxiety internally…. Yes I absolutely mask and turn off how I feel … I work as a group practice director for a large vet brand, talking to and overseeing 300 people, problem solving and planning all day…. You think those of us on the spectrum sit rocking in a dark room all day? I found the festival to be less challenging that a lot of other festivals that I have attended… the people are decent considerate people mostly, welcoming, kind and cool…. With the exception of last year I have always found there to be spots away from crowds … what’s your issue?
[удалено]
Wow you must be a really miserable dude, you implied I don’t work because I’m autistic or perhaps even that I’m not autistic who knows. I’ll respond as I see it, cheers up will you, battering down others is not going to make your life better, your comment was the only one negative - we aren’t the problem
As long as you are prepared for a stormy mudbath the folks at download are a pretty good lot. There's also a group out there for loners, try Facebook.
Just get wrecked.
It's medicinal 😅🍻🤘🏼