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<\/p>\nIn 2021, Reminisce Festival, held in St Helens, Merseyside, made headlines \u2013 with attendees branding it a \u201cnightmare\u201d as they were left \u201cfearing for their safety\u201d.<\/p>\n
Reports of massive queues, unruly crowds and payment issues, along with hefty drink prices.<\/p>\n
So obviously, being a northerner, I had to go and check it out for myself.<\/p>\n
Nightmare? Not so much!<\/p>\n
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Held at Sherdley Park in St Helens \u2013 just outside of Liverpool \u2013 this year\u2019s line-up boasted everyone from The Vengaboys and Heather Small to Blazin\u2019 Squad and John Martin.<\/p>\n
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Even Chesney Hawkes and Boyzlife (that\u2019s Boyzone\u2019s Keith Duffy and Westlife\u2019s Brian McFadden) \u2013 were on the roster.<\/p>\n
The event consisted of seven stages, including a VIP arena, and while the main stage was consistently buzzing and attracting huge crowds, it was easy to get away from it all for a bit with one of the quieter tents.<\/p>\n
My favourite ended up being the FezzyPop Arena, which seemed to draw smaller throngs of people throughout the day, but it was easy to get lost in the rhythms of the main stage hype too.<\/p>\n
But despite the draw of the massive headline artists, Reminisce never felt overwhelming or too much like a \u201cnightmare\u201d to me.<\/p>\n
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We headed over to the BounceBack Arena for a few DJ sets, and explored the Garlands Gold stage, which had more of a laid-back feel. There\u2019s a huge variety to the 90s-themed event, with rockers like Chesney Hawkes providing a high-octane guitar set and plenty of house DJs to bop to.<\/p>\n
One thing that did end up being pretty nightmarish, though, was the heat. Times for each artist aren\u2019t released ahead of the day, so we wouldn\u2019t know who was on when until we arrived. This, I think, is a bit of an oversight when temperatures were nearing 30 degrees.<\/p>\n
So we did end up spending quite a lot of the day out in the broiling sun, with the huge marquees only making everything hotter and minimal places to find shade.<\/p>\n
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Now for the food. There\u2019s a pretty good variety, though drinks prices are also pretty eye-watering. Expect to pay \u00a3125 for a case of San Miguel (available for around \u00a330 in most supermarkets), or \u00a36 for a can.<\/p>\n
A double vodka with an energy drink mixer, meanwhile, would set you back \u00a310.50.<\/p>\n
Dotted around the site were a few fairground rides, some picnic benches and a place to talk to a drugs team if it all got too much. Reminisce even has its very own cigarette and vape vendor on-site.<\/p>\n
All in all, I\u2019d definitely do it again. I never once feared for my own safety or heard anyone else remark about theirs, and though there were a few drunken mishaps from revellers throughout the day, plenty of security and first aid staff were on hand to help.<\/p>\n
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