Boogietown Reviews 11

I attended Boogietown Festival on 12th July 2025 with a VIP ticket, paying extra for what was advertised as an enhanced experience: fast-track entry, private bar, luxury toilets, comfortable seating, and additional shaded areas. Sadly, the reality didn’t live up to the promises.

The so-called “Fast Track” entry required you to join the general admission queue first, then eventually be filtered into a separate line. There was nothing “fast” about it, and no real advantage over standard ticket entry. When entering the festival, security didn’t secure wristbands — they simply handed them to you and told you to tighten them yourself, which could easily allow people to share wristbands and gain entry without paying.

The VIP area itself was overcrowded, seating was limited, and the “luxury” toilets were poorly maintained throughout the day. Security for the VIP area was very poor — there were people inside without VIP wristbands, and some even openly bragged that they had snuck in or got in without being challenged.

Bar prices in VIP were inflated compared to other areas, and it was actually quicker to get served at the general admission bars. There was also no free tap water available in the VIP area, despite it being provided in the general area. There were no food options in VIP at all, meaning you had to leave the area to get food — and the queues for the food stalls in the general area were extremely long.

I contacted the organisers after the event to share my concerns. Initially, they said they would respond to all of my points after their team debrief, but when they finally replied, they only addressed a few issues. While they admitted that elements of the VIP area “did not meet the standard” they aim to deliver, they refused to offer any form of refund or compensation, claiming the facilities were technically “in place” and “usable.” This, in my opinion, misses the point — the issue was the quality and practicality of what was provided, not just whether the items existed in name.

Looking at their Trustpilot rating of just 2.3 stars, it’s clear I’m not alone. Other recent reviews echo the same issues I experienced, both for VIP and standard ticket holders — long queues, poor facilities, and a lack of organisation.

I’ve been left disappointed not only by the event itself but also by how my complaint was handled. The process felt drawn out, I had to keep chasing for updates, and in the end, there was no real accountability. Based on my experience, I would not attend Boogietown again, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend paying extra for VIP.

I am unable to find any way to submit the following back to boogietown so have taken to this platform. I do hope it gets relayed to the organisers.

I have always thoroughly enjoyed this event in the past, and I appreciate that, with such a large attendance, a certain amount of queuing is to be expected. This year, as we only live in Twickenham, we opted to drive to the venue.

Unfortunately, we encountered significant delays from the outset. Upon arrival, we joined a queue to enter the venue, which took over an hour to reach the security search area. The queue management was extremely poor: two separate queues were funnelled into a single entry point, causing a major bottleneck. Although staff attempted to alternate the flow from each queue, the process was inconsistent and disorganised. Due to staff changes, one queue was permitted to advance multiple times while ours remained at a complete standstill — all under 30-degree heat. It was an uncomfortable and frustrating experience.

We were also concerned by the handling of accessibility arrangements. A large group of individuals, seemingly accompanying a wheelchair user, was fast-tracked ahead of the queue. While we fully support accommodating those with mobility needs, we observed around 16 able-bodied individuals entering with one wheelchair user, which did not seem fair to the rest of the attendees who had been waiting for an extended period.

However, the most disappointing part of the day came at the end. The exit from the car park was entirely unstaffed, leaving approximately 200 vehicles (a rough estimate) attempting to leave via a single exit point. Rather than a managed queue, vehicles were left to cluster chaotically, with no guidance or oversight. Despite our efforts to leave early, we advanced only a few feet over the course of an hour. In total, it took us around 90 minutes to exit the car park — an incredibly unpleasant experience, particularly at midnight, with no assistance available.

More than an hour later, a small number of traffic marshals eventually arrived. I’m pleased to say their intervention helped bring some order, and traffic slowly began to move.

I do not believe I am exaggerating when I say this year’s event was very poorly managed in terms of logistics and crowd control. Regrettably, this experience has led us to decide not to attend the festival next year.

On a more positive note, the music was excellent. However, we also experienced long queues for food, with several stalls running out by 7pm.

I hope this feedback is helpful and that improvements will be made in future years to ensure a more enjoyable experience for all attendees.

I purchased VIP tickets. Last year 2024 I attended for the two days, amazing experience overall, with plenty of space to move and have a jig. Drinks a bit pricey but to be expected. We easily purchased food.

This year 2025, we were herded in, the VIP space had been restricted by half so we were like sardines, at times pressed in against the railings. It was NOT a VIP experience at all. It was scorching hot and took 30 mins a time to pay £2.50 for a bottle of water that was almost hot enough to make a coffee.

No food available after about 8:30pm. We queued for an hour only to be told they’d run out, but we could have a small bowl of pasta with a bit of grated cheese for £12. No reduction in price even though they’d run out of toppings.

Only positive I can think of was the stage had a runway for the artists, nice touch.

Shockingly disorganised for any event.
The security looked sparse at the gates with just three lanes and one unsign-posted v.i.p entrance. At least other festivals used proper (highways kit-level of screening, barriers and gates). E.g. Isle of Wight logistical team was impressively efficient with many areas of organisation. Surrey’sBoogietown was not. The event site didn’t give enough public transport as there’s more than one way to get to Hampton court shuttle bus stop. I was working there and they just gave us a what three words and said got to “Hampton court” this doesn’t say which oyster zone, or which route it was - and although it’s easy to google some bits - it’s kind to those working for you to hint at directions for the music event. The security didn’t check my qr code at all - I got no wristband and essentially had jumped the gate. Quite jarring. I’m asc and the ferris wheel was noisy and the heathrow traffic above isn’t mentioned anywhere. I saw one steward in total - I’m rural and know how to spot stewards as we use them for our agricultural events annually- & considerably more of them. Basically there was nobody to ask for help and I had no wrist band saying I was a worker. I also have slight autism, so the lack of coherent entrance measures (or even a site map/Elmbridge floor/field plan) was noticeable. I don’t know how safe that is to not have clearly designated gates or exits (e.g. my bar staff company was supposed to be at the other gate (gate 1) to the shuttle bus drop-off & I couldn’t see it despite looking and seeing a HAP solutions supervisor walk over for one or two minutes to check for bar staff arriving. Just a bizarre layout. & why they try to cram that many people into a small site like that, I just don’t understand.
To be fair, the attendees at least were there very good natured, so that’s a balm to the bad bits. My partner is a bus driver and I’m 27 y.o. so I’m aware of logistical and public facing settings. This was appreciated that at least they seemed to know what they were doing

The two stars are not for the artists and singers they deserve 5
The organisers get 0 stars due to bad organisation and planning
We were left with no food for over 10 hours
They force you to eat food from their food stalls which was awful and inedible
We weren’t allowed our own food or drink
Queues were enormous and difficult to stand in full sun , badly organised but we enjoyed the music, dj’s and amazing singers of 2025

Boogietown was so disappointing this year. It was too busy. The DJs finished at 9. Food was awful and expensive. Queues everywhere. Line up was good on paper and disappointing on stage. My friends and I aren’t going to bother next year. Shame as it was better in previous years.

We were really looking forward to Boogietown again this year after having such a great time over the past two years, but unfortunately, it was a big letdown. Reducing the festival to just one day made the whole experience feel rushed and overcrowded. There were far too many people, long queues everywhere, and food and drink prices were unreasonably high.
It was also a real shame to see that one of the tents was removed, previously it had the best atmosphere and energy. The main acts were hit-and-miss: UB40 gave a great performance, but Kool and the Gang were underwhelming, and the sound system issues made it feel unprofessional.
To top it off, placing the ferris wheel right next to the main stage was baffling, it completely disrupted the viewing experience. There were six of us, and we all agreed we won’t be coming back next year. It’s such a shame, as Boogietown used to be one of our highlights of the summer.

Dreadful event - too many rules and regs that were randomly enforced. Queues for food and drink unbelievably long and extortionately expensive.

There was too little of everything unfortunately. Too few staff on
entrance, so that when it got 20 or 30 people deep, only a cursory look was made. Not enough toilets (plenty of urinals though). Queues half an hour long. Not enough food outlets either, we 2 couples, each spent over an hour waiting to be served. Made worse by not being allowed to bring in food or own soft drink (not even water!).Much better when, as in the past, it is held over 2 days. People having to sit up around, and past, the food concessions and ferris wheel. Which is too far away and sound mingles there from other stages. Probably won't go again, which is a shame.

There was little organisation in the car park which led to massive tailbacks onto the site itself. Once out of the car we had another 45 minutes in a scorching queue to get through to the inadequate and cursory "security" checks - thanks for the free bottles of water even if they were hot! The entrance area and staff needed to be AT LEAST twice the size.
Main stage music was drowned out by the proximity of fairground rides with music and the other stages music we didn't really know what we were listening to most of the time. The main stage DJs didn't seem to have got the memo about what music the day was about and made some strange choices including lots of Abba (at which point I had to go somewhere else to get away from it)
Big top successful, Norman Jay good as ever but was too close to the main stage area.
Soul Nation tent was too small for demand and DJs and acts too low and needed a raised stage area - didn't SEE Trevor, Shola or Romina although all sounded good.
Heaving, inadequate toilets and food stalls, £15 for a pint of weak Pimms. Eventually we Left early as needed toilet and food and thought the marshalls would be as inefficient on the way out, fairlysure leaving the site would take forever. Shame, could have been good....probably will return to Soultasia next year - last year we could hear the stage there, got in and out quicker and didn't seen to have the same crime issues.

Been previous years when held in September. This July bands were good esp ub40. Way to busy this time, queues for food and bar very long. Bad signal to find friends and uber home. Shuttle bus queue very long end of night. Warm water pumps.
Heard of 2 thefts of mobiles.
Won’t be rushing back next year give it Miss.
To over crowded