Bright Eyes, Big Hands & Brazilian Girls in Benicassim and Barcelona
Luke’s Benicassim Trip
I’ve just got back from Spain, and thought I’d give everyone a quick glimpse of what I got up to. First things first, the mission: To get to Benicassim Music Festival more or less unscathed, then spend a couple of nights in Valencia before finishing up back in Barcelona.
How I went about it: Leaving the perma-drizzle of London behind I set off for Barcelona. I was booked in to Kabul Hostel, the party hostel of party hostels. Full of people, a fantastic location with balconies out on to the stunning Plaza Real. Not that I actually slept in the hostel. I just checked in for breakfast after a long night.
The temperature mounts
As the temperature warmed up, and I lugged my camping equipment across town, I began to regret slightly the vigour with which I’d thrown myself into the night before. In theory it should’ve been really easy to get to the festival from Barcelona if you booked in advance. I, however, did not book in advance. More fool me. The next day I took the RENFE train from Barcelona to Castellon, the closest I could get. It was only about £20, though, so I suppose I can’t complain.
Anyway, from there, I had to take a cab from Castellon to Bonet campsite. Weirdly, I befriended a girl who lived in the same town as me, who I camped with. What I should have done, though, was flown to Alicante or Valencia (both Valencia airport and Alicante airport are much closer, even though the flights may be a little more expensive) then got a train to the festival campsite. Oh well, you live and learn.
After finally meeting up with my friends – who I really should have booked my flights with in the first place – I set up my tent in the spot they’d kindly reserved for me. A day and a night before the festival begins is a great thing to do if you want somewhere to set up camp and meet some new people.
There’s a bridge that divides the campsite from the festival. As you approach it, you can just make out, in amongst the billowing clouds of smoke, the silhouettes of a decidedly shady looking crowd. Curiously, the police stand around, completely unfazed by it all.
Let them eat cake
On this note, should anyone reading this be picking up tips for next year: look out for the dreadlocked cake vendors. Their wares may be tempting (and tasty) but if you want to survive a whole day of music, don’t go near them!
At the sharp end of things, the music was fantastic. I mean really fantastic. Amazing. Outstanding. Inspiring. Superlatives don’t suffice. The odd minor slip-up notwithstanding, the vast majority of the bands on show managed to pull off sets that were polished, without sacrificing any spontaneity.
For me, the highlights were Simian Mobile Disco, CSS, Kings of Leon, Who Made Who, Bright Eyes, and the reliably impressive Muse. But each band played as if their lives depended upon it, and they all had amazing sets. Muse focus on their live show more than any other band I’ve ever seen before – and the results are there for all to behold. They’re an absolute must see at any festival.
Visionary Valencia
After the festival I went on to Valencia, an amazing city, by turns chic and sophisticated, and pleasingly old-fashioned. I spent a couple of nights in Indigo Youth Hostel, all bright colors and designer-ish touches. It was awesome.
Eventually I managed to tear myself away from Valencia, and went to the train station to book our train back to Barcelona for the day of my flight back home. I took the six hour (supposedly three hour) train to Barcelona, spent the day in the most beautiful city in the world, and then, reluctantly, hauled my exhausted carcass on to the plane.
And home again…
Ultimately, I got back to London feeling tired but fulfilled. My first festival was a success. But I’d do things a little differently next time. For starters, and I can’t emphasize this enough, don’t stay at a campsite (particularly not in Bonet!) – if you can afford it, stay in a hostel. It’s just too hot to be sleeping in tents at this time of year.
Other than that, the only thing I’d change is to spend more time in Barcelona and Valencia. Take a week – no, make that a year! – before the festival begins to experience these cities! My couple of nights, frankly, were just scratching the surface of what they’ve got to offer.
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