With Starship's ‘We Built This City’ playing on the speaker, the tone of last night’s rock-heavy concert at Thetford Forest was set as soon as I walked in at 7pm. Considering doors had only opened two hours prior, the entire field was packed with music fans either enjoying a post-work beer, evening meals from the many food stands or just relaxing in the sun. At the foot of the forest, nestled in between several huge trees, sat the massive main stage.
So far, not much had changed from previous years of the June-set event series - that was, unless, you had forked out for the most expensive ticket. At the steep sum of £145 (plus booking fee), VIPs received access to a separate area which, new for 2024, includes plenty of seating (including some benches in the shade), a range of food stalls, posh loos, queue-less bar and even a branded swing. In a similar way to how BST Hyde Park now works, it also means that the more money you shell out, the closer to the stage you can get – great for die hard fans of the night’s headliner.
Come 9pm and it was time for the main man's arrival. Humbly walking on stage with his band - but noticeably without any major fanfare - Bryan Adams got things off to an energetic start with ‘Kick Ass’. 'Can't Stop This Thing We Started' had the 8,000-strong crowd clapping along as the giant screens at either side of the stage showed black and white panoramas of the audience.
Just ten minutes in, it was clear this was going to be a good old fash.
