She’s a self-confessed festival veteran, but this year Zoe Ball will be watching the fun from the other side as 16-year-old daughter Nelly heads to Reading without her for the first time.
The presenter and mother-of-two knows from her own experience how easy it is to get swept up in everything the season has to offer.
And she’s not alone. New research from Vodafone, found that 65% of parents feel nervous about their kids attending a festival, despite 92% trusting them to make good decisions. Three quarters (74%) will spend the weekend eagerly awaiting updates.
“I’ve been going to festivals for years and absolutely love them, there’s nothing quite like that feeling of heading off with your mates, seeing your favourite bands and having a brilliant weekend,” Zoe said.
“Now Nelly’s doing it, I’m experiencing festivals from the other side as a mum! You want them to go off, have the best time and enjoy that independence… but you also really, really want that little message home to know they’re having an amazing time, and all is well”.
Festivalgoers, including Nelly, will be able to visit the first-ever Vodafone’s Check-in & Chips experience at Reading where they can send a quick video message home in a specially designed scribble booth – and get a free portion of chips in return.
Zoe, 55, is a fan of the idea. “Having a great signal makes that so much easier, although actually getting your teenager to use it and check in is another matter!
“I love Vodafone’s Check-in & Chips because, frankly, if a message home comes with free chips, everyone’s a winner. They get fed, we get our update. Perfect!”
Festival season remains a rite of passage for Britain’s teenagers with 57% heading to one this summer and 29% of 16 to 18-year-olds going without their family for the first time.
Reading has long been one of the biggest events of the summer, and more than 100,000 people will set up camp on the vast site from today.
As well as the Check-in & Chips experience, Vodafone the Official Connectivity Partner of some of the UK’s most loved festivals, is offering power bank stations where music fans can buy fully charged power banks, which can be exchanged for a new one each day.
Vodafone and Three customers also get access to Vodafone’s Viewing Platform, with free ice cream, complimentary phone charging and incredible views of The Grid.
Those heading to Leeds can drop into Vodafone’s Connect & Charge area to power up, connect to free Wi-Fi when taking a break between sets.
Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director at VodafoneThree said: “Connectivity is now a huge part of the festival experience – whether you’re sharing unforgettable moments, checking in with loved ones or finding friends in the crowd. This weekend, we’re excited to showcase the power of Vodafone 5G+, showing how next-generation connectivity on Vodafone can unlock new experiences and give festivalgoers fun, engaging ways to connect to the moments that matter.”
