Because every good music blog needs a photo of Pete Doherty.  I took this at Glastonbury in 2007 during his ‘secret set’ (it wasn’t listed in the timetable). This was the first time Babyshambles (Doherty’s band) and Dirty Pretty Things (the other band formed by members of Doherty’s first band The Libertines) played at the same festival.  There were many hopes of a Libertines’ reunion. We had no such luck, but now that Dirty Pretty Things have broken up, who knows what might happen?

But what does that mean for us gig goers who are doing the right thing?  No longer can we get excited about buying one of the first ten tickets to a show.  No longer can we admire the effort that went into designing such a small piece of paper.  And on a less sentimental note, it means that if for some reason you can no longer make it to the concert, it’s now very difficult to sell or give away your ticket so it doesn’t go to waste.

The people in charge of Glastonbury (one of the world’s biggest music festivals) have spent a few years working on a system to avoid ticket scalpers.  I went in 2007, and as well as having to register full details two months before tickets went on sale, our tickets actually had our photos on them!  Since then the ticketing system has changed again, each time making it more and more difficult to secure tickets for scalpers and festival goers alike.

I know ticket scalping isn’t something to be encouraged, but in trying to outsmart the crooks, things become increasingly difficult for the average gig-goer.  And sometimes it’s reassuring to know that I can buy a ticket off e-bay (even slightly above the original price) if I decide I want to go to a gig at the last minute. Also, then we couldn’t do silly things like this while we wait in line for the gig:

There are two good reasons to consider going on a road trip to see a band play live.  The first is that (due to tour budgets and management) the band quite simply refuse to play a show in your town. In that case, the only chance you have to see your favourite band is to jump in your car and drive to the nearest town that made the cut.  The other reason is if they are playing a show in your town, and also the next town over, and the next one after that too, and you are so super excited about them that you decide to go to every single show.  It’s like going on tour with the band, only without an expense account or a tour manager. I’ve put together ten tips to help make the most of your musical adventure.

1. Ticket Check!
The first thing to remember is to check that everyone has their tickets (and IDs if necessary) as they get into the car.  Make them get the tickets out and show you, it’s the only way to be sure!  One year when we went to Southbound (3 hours drive south) we didn’t check until we’d picked up the last of our friends and I realised I didn’t have my ticket! We had to drive back to my place to get my ticket, luckily we hadn’t left Perth yet!

2. Always bring lots of spare cash!
By the time you’ve been on the road a few hours you’ll be looking forward to a great meal at a road house or a local pub, not to mention money for band merch at the show!  And there are always other incidental costs that seem to pop up, a bottle of water here, a pint of beer there, and remember to give the driver a contribution toward fuel!

3. Make Road Trip Mix Tapes!
No one wants to spend four hours in a car listening to the same CD the whole time, so plan ahead and make some mix CDs. Or you could hook up your i-Pod to the car stereo and put together a playlist that will last the length of the trip.  One great way to do this is to get everyone to go through the i-Pod at the start of the drive and pick ten songs each to put on the playlist, then you can just hit shuffle and have something to keep everyone happy!

4. Always bring some snacks for the drive!
Include plenty of water and something sugary to keep energy levels up.  Think about the weather so you don’t end up with melted chocolate in a hot car and pick something everyone will enjoy.  I always like to bake, so cupcakes are a must for my road trips, but maybe you just want a pack of chips and a bag of Skittles.  Nothing too messy and be careful with things that might go off after a few hours in a warm car!

5. Bring a swimsuit!
Pack your Bathers near the top of your bag or in an outside pocket. You never know when you might want to stop off for a swim at the beach or in an enticing looking lake. This way you don’t have to unpack everything just for a quick dip before lunch!

6. Stay up late!
Don’t worry about getting lots of sleep or being too clean (depending on the length of the road trip of course). There’ll be time to sleep when you get home, enjoy your time on the road. And when it comes to showering, if you’re only away over night, it’s probably safer to wait until you get home than to use campsite or hostel showers.  Or better still, just go for a swim!

7. Bring a map!
And any addresses you might need. It’s pretty self explanatory; no one wants to get lost!

8. Find somewhere to sleep!
If you’re only staying one night, don’t stress too much about accommodation.  Youth Hostels and Caravan parks add more to the adventure than a room at a four star hotel.  And if you can’t find anything, you can always sleep in the car.  The first year my friends and I went to Southbound we didn’t have any accommodation, but someone we knew had a site at a caravan park, so we joined them, parked the car, and spent the night hanging out on a playground bundled up in our sleeping bags. Which leads me to my next tip…

9. Be prepared for anything!
I don’t mean that in the way that a Scout is always prepared, I mean, relax, go with the flow, and welcome detours and pit stops. Often the best parts of the trip are the ones that aren’t planned.

10. Look after the driver!
Make sure your driver gets to take a break every few hours, or even take it in turns driving.  No one wants a tired driver on unfamiliar roads, and you all want to get there in one piece.

Hopefully these tips will come in handy.  Just remember to relax and enjoy the journey along with the destination. Good luck!

p.s. I hope you enjoy the video of our road trip antics when we went to Margaret River to see The Thrills earlier this year.

A well known independent label, Sub Pop started at the forefront of Seattle’s grunge scene of the early 1990s.  You might recognise names like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney as members of the early Sub Pop alumni.  Today, Sub Pop bands to look out for include: The Shins (whose songs appeared in the film Garden State), The Postal Service, Band of Horses, and Hot Hot Heat, amongst others.  They are also responsible for the comedy releases of Flight of the Conchords and David Cross.

The label was started in 1987 by Jonathan Poneman and Bruce Pavitt (Pavitt was already using the name Sub Pop for his other projects including a radio show and fanzine).   Their mission — according to the Sub Pop Website — was (and still is) world domination, in the sense of uncovering new artists and bringing them to the world.

During the 1990s the label was in a shaky financial position. With bands going over board on tour expenses and recording, and the label pumping exorbitant amounts into publicity, the bands were getting bigger without the label reaping any rewards.  The staff of 25 was reduced to five and the label struggled from week to week. It was Nirvana’s second album Nevermind that saved the day, selling over 4 million copies in nine months and propping Sub Pop up again.

Nevermind also brought grunge out of the indie and into the mainstream, which meant Sub Pop was now competing with major record labels as well as against other independents. The changing climate lead to a sale of 49% of Sub Pop to Warner Bros (one of the majors).

Having survived the 1990s Sub Pop came into the new century ready to thrive against the music industry’s struggle with digital distribution.  This label has always been innovative. Early on they created the Sub Pop Singles Club, a subscription based club guaranteeing members copies of the label’s limited-run singles, sent out each month. Today, they are happy to embrace the internet for use in promotion, being one of the first record labels to post free and legal MP3 downloads on their site to promote their bands.

Sub Pop are currently working with new business models unlike those offered with other labels.  They help their bands to become self sufficient, using touring to make money and offering more realistic recording budgets to increase the likelihood of band’s earning royalties, even from modest sales.  In 2007 they launched Hardly Art which is exploring even newer business models such as splitting profits between the label and band instead of earning royalties, and giving the band’s ownership of the record masters, licensing them to Hardly Art for their releases.

Twenty years on from their beginnings, Sub Pop has become a household name for indie music lovers all over the world, perhaps their mission of world domination wasn’t so far from the truth?

Summer is almost here, which means it’s nearly festival season. Tickets have already gone on sale for Southbound and Big Day Out announcements are just around the corner. With Parklife this coming weekend I thought I’d put together some tips for all you festival go-ers. Thanks to a bit of trial and error learning, and observing other festival-ers over the years, I’ve found there are a few key things to make sure you get the most out of your day.

Who do I go with?

The right company can make or break your festival experience. The best thing to do is take a look at who’s going to be performing. If you want to see a heap of bands on the main stages but your friends want to spend the day in the dance tent it’s probably not going to work out. Compare your timetables and find one that’s compatible with yours. Also check what time they want to arrive and whether either of you will want to be down the front for the bands or are just happy to chill out up the back.

If all else fails, one of the great things about festivals is that you’ll probably know loads of people going, so if you lose your friends (accidentally or otherwise) you’re bound to find someone else you know anyway!

What should I wear?

The first rule is: DON’T wear thongs (flip flops), your feet will be trodden on, and they’ll probably get lost. You’ll be on your feet all day so wear your comfiest pair of sneakers or, if you must, flats.

Secondly, check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Skirts and dresses are fine if you don’t plan on going into the mosh, just don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want to get a little dusty and sweaty.

Thirdly, wear a hat. Nobody wants a sunburnt scalp.

What should I bring with me? (what shouldn’t I bring?)

Don’t forget your tickets & ID (if it’s an 18+ event or you plan on drinking).

Do bring a water bottle (empty to fill when you get in or still sealed, most festivals won’t allow anything in with a broken seal).

Don’t bring anything heavy or unnecessary — you have to carry it around all day.

Do bring extra sunscreen. A small tube that’ll fit in someone’s pocket is ideal.

Don’t bring anything of value — it’ll probably get lost.

Do print out a copy of the timetable and site map, some festivals charge for a timetable and that’s just ridiculous!

Do bring some small snacks — food will be expensive and not very appetising.

Do bring enough cash — merchandise and food at festivals are often overpriced, so budget accordingly.

If you’re thinking of bringing a bag keep in mind that you have to carry it all day. You may not be allowed into certain areas with it, and cloakrooms are often expensive and only let you leave it and pick it up, you won’t be able to get anything from it during the day.

How early should I arrive?

Check what time the first act you want to see is and what time your friends want to arrive. If it’s a bigger festival give yourselves an hour before the first act to explore and find your way around. Half the fun is in exploring the different stages, random market stalls and just enjoying the atmosphere, make a day of it and revel in the hot, dusty air as it fills with guitars and dance beats. Give yourself time to stumble upon new acts and surprise yourself with a new favourite band!

What’s the best way to get there?

Public Transport is usually easiest and most festivals organise extra buses for tricky locations. No one wants to have to worry about driving at the end of a day, if you do car-pool and you can share your days adventures over the ride home (and stash an extra bottle of water in the car, you’ll need it by then!).

If relying on public transport give yourself enough time to get there and check what time the last train/bus runs.

What about buying band merchandise?

There are two ways of doing it.

First, you buy merch at the start of the day, the upside is you know you’ll get the right size and design before they sell out. Downside is you have to carry it around all day, and you might be missing out on getting down the front for the bands your there to see.

The second option is to buy it at the end of the day, you won’t have to carry it around all day, and you won’t miss any bands. The downside is the design or size you want might sell out, and you’ll have to compete with the long lines of people who’ve also left it until the last possible chance.

Well, that’s it from me! If you’ve got any other tips let me know and I’ll add them to the list, otherwise, happy festival-ing!