UK Festivals VS US Festivals: Which Is Better?
As a Brit, I’ve always loved going to festivals – it’s been one of my favorite things to do since I was a teen. I always assumed they were always the same all over the world. However, after speaking to some American friends, I have discovered that this is not the case! That’s why in this article I’ll be comparing some of the differences I’ve discovered, and comparing UK festivals vs US festivals.
With top UK festivals such as Glastonbury long having been compared to top US festivals such as Coachella, I think it’s about time we really put the two country’s festival cultures against each other to see who comes out on top.
Table of Contents
- Uk festivals have worse weather
- UK festivals are less stylish
- UK festivals have fewer alcohol restrictions
- UK festivals are more family-friendly
- US festivals have higher security
- UK festivals revolve more around camping
- US festivals have nicer facilities
- UK festivals have a better vibe
- UK festivals have better lineups
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summing up UK festivals vs US festivals
Uk festivals have worse weather
This one has to be the first on the list. No matter the season, the UK is known for having dreary and miserable weather. Even the UK weather in the summer is dreary. There’s no reason this should stop just because folks want to spend 3+ days sleeping in a field! The weather festivals are a notorious aspect of the music festivals in England.
Of course, even the best UK festivals can’t escape the weather.
In fact, there’s a joke in the UK that if Glastonbury weekend is coming up then it’s bound to rain.
There are tons of viral videos to come out of the muddy conditions that inevitably come out of the torrential downpours of the weekend.
Check out this video on Glastonbury’s muddiest years and watch people wading through waist-deep water to see their favorite bands. Don’t worry, though! They’ve still got a drink in hand. We Brits know how to cope, whatever the weather.
Of course, US festivals, by comparison, are often much nicer weather. Many festivals take place across California and the West Coast, so you can soak up that blazing sunshine.
UK music festivals are less stylish
This definitely serves as a follow on from the last point but the fact is that the UK festivals definitely have less fashionable outfits being worn around their sites. Now, I wouldn’t like to comment on the UK population’s sense of style as a whole, so I’ll blame this one of the weather too.
If it’s raining, UK festival goers will turn up in wellington boots, raincoats, and practical clothes for the weather. Often, the British summer evenings can end up quite cold, too, meaning that festivalgoers have to wrap up in cozy but bulky clothing to stay warm.
In the US, of course, festivalgoers can break out their shorts, crop tops, long dresses, and all manner of boho-style fashion to go and dance, soak up the sun, and look glorious doing it, too. Festival fashion is iconic in the US, and UK festival goers simply cannot compete.
UK festivals have fewer alcohol restrictions
Anyone who has spent any amount of time in the UK knows that alcohol is a big part of the culture here – and festivals are no exception.
In fact, I think that sneaking alcohol into a festival has almost become a right of passage. Beyond that, having a drink by your test before you head into the main festival is considered a great way to start your day. With bars all over festival sites, alongside the festival food stands, most people will have a drink in hand as they watch the musicians play.
You can imagine my surprise when a friend of mine attended a US festival only to come back and report that if you wanted a drink you had to sit in a little pen and you weren’t allowed to bring your drink into the main arena!
Not to mention, the drinking age being 21 in the US rather than 18 as it is in the UK means a larger percentage of festival goers are not able to enjoy a beverage while they’re there.
UK festivals are more family-friendly
This may come as a surprise to some after the last point, but it’s true! Many festivals in the UK are seen as places for the entire family to visit, including the big UK music festivals such as Glastonbury.
While there are festivals such as rock and metal festival ‘Download’ and alternative festival ‘Reading and Leeds’, that have a reputation for being slightly more rowdy, the majority of British festivals are perfectly child friendly.
In fact, many festivals will even have a specific area for children to come and get involved with various activities.
In the US, however, festivals are mostly seen as an adults only affair, and are generally reserved for those who are 18+.
US festivals have higher security
The US has a stricter level of security than the UK. Whether this would make you feel tense due to the visual reminder for the potential for trouble, or whether it would make you feel more protected in case something should occur, depends largely who your are and your experiences with law enforcement.
In the UK, they may have a quick look in your bag before you enter the festival.
In the US, they may have metal detectors, pat downs, and thorough bag inspections before entering. They often will also have a police presence, complete with firearms. This is something that’s almost unimaginable in the UK.
While a big British music festival may face slightly more trouble, I’ll never forget an anecdote from my friend who was working security at a mid-size festival in Britain one year. I asked her if she had to deal with any trouble. She said they had one phone call from someone the entire weekend and it was because someone had drunk too much beer, fallen in a puddle and couldn’t get back up.
I think that pretty much sums it up.
UK festivals revolve more around camping
The camping situation seems to be very different between the UK and the US, too. Many people may camp for longer at United Kingdom festivals, and they may accept less luxurious living quarters too.
Many England music festivals offer camping for 5 days now, and some even allowing extended stays up to a week. This allows festivalgoers to really settle in at music festivals in England.
You would think those who wish to stay longer would want a more comfortable place to sleep, but in fact in seems Brits are more comfortable with smaller tents and less luxurious camping equipment than Americans.
On the flipside, Americans tend to camp at their festivals for 3 days only, and their camping set ups are more luxurious, with Americans less willing to give up their creature comforts.
US festivals have nicer facilities
I won’t go into too much detail on this one, but the general consensus is that US festivals have nicer and more hygienic facilities than UK festivals.
Portapotties at British music festivals can be a really bleak experience. And don’t even get me started on the trenches they have at Reading and Leeds…
UK festivals have a better vibe
Despite being muddy, boozy, and un-stylish, most people who have attended UK festivals tend to agree that they have a better vibe overall than US festivals, bringing a fantastic festival atmosphere.
Much of this seems to be simply down to crowd engagement in what’s going on around them and with the bands themselves. Often, British festivalgoers will see attending a British music festival as a chance to put down their phone, disconnect for a bit, and get into the party as much as they can.
It seems US festivals are often the opposite of that, with many people reporting a more superficial vibe as many people care more about what they can Instagram rather than being in the moment.
On top of that, UK festival crowds are known to be far more lively that their US counterparts. For dancing, chanting and singing along, Brits are the masters at getting into the spirit of live music and bringing the festival vibe to a higher level.
Just check out this amazing crowd singing along to Mr Brightside by The Killers at TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow.
UK festivals have better lineups
Finally we’ve come to the reason we all head to the festivals in the first place – the music.
While US festivals often book some very impressive names at their biggest festivals, I feel that it’s the English festivals that takes the winning spot here overall.
Firstly, many UK festivals have a higher number of stages than US ones do. Many big United Kingdom festivals can end up with 10 stages, whereas the US’ biggest festival only has 7. That means there are more bands playing over the entire festival, especially at a large festival in the United Kingdom.
Not only do British music festivals book a lot of musical performers, they also have comedy performances, as well as providing wellness activities.
Finally, the UK festivals often manage to book a wide range of performers. Glastonbury, one of the best festivals in UK, booked the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John and The Who in recent years, whilst still making space for up and comers from a wide variety of music genres.
When it comes to festival lineups, British music festivals absolutely take the crown. The lineup is absolutely king when it comes to English festival quality and the announcements of headliners are awaited with bated breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between American and European festivals?
European festivals are known for drawing more diverse crowds and lineups. They are also known for having larger sites and more stages than US festivals. Finally, they are more relaxed in regards to alcohol and security than American festivals are.
What are the main festivals of UK?
Some of the popular festivals in England include:
Other popular festivals in the UK include Wilderness, Creamfields, Green Man, All Points East and Boardmasters.
What is the market size of festivals in the UK?
At the time of rating, the festival market had grown around 3% in 5 years and was estimated to be worth £3.3bn.
What is the American equivalent of Glastonbury?
Coachella, as the US’ biggest fesitval is considered to be the American equivalent of Glastonbury.
What are popular festivals in USA?
Some of the most popular festivals in the USA include:
Summing up UK festivals vs US festivals
So, who do we think is better? UK festivals or US festivals?
As a Brit, I’m still on the side of the UK festival. I don’t mind a bit of mud for a great vibe and great musicians.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind a bit of that Californian sun, thank you very much.
Overall, festivals from both sides of the pond have lots to offer, including performances from some of the most impressive artists, old and new.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you back here again soon.
Ta-ta for now! x
