If you’re someone that thinks “I love the thought of a festival but I just couldn’t do it myself”, I might have found the solution for you.
Yesterday I went to Lovebox festival at Dreamland in Margate, and as far as festivals go it was unusual because it was more like a nostalgic day out. Think of the charm of Barry Island with the good manners of Latitude festival and you’ve got yourself the measure of it.
Set at a compact theme park, Lovebox has one main stage, a separate club room, and that’s the line up for music. Then, dotted in and around the grounds you have a games arcade, a roller-skating rink, classic fair games, rides, and sweet favourites like candy floss and ice cream.
Because it’s such an intimate park, wherever you are you have a great view. There’s a rounded floor in front of the stage, some tiered benches on a slight hill, and if you have a VIP ticket or an accessible ticket there is a further pathway slightly higher up that gives you an aerial view of the park.
Soul II Soul were incredible. They have so many talented musicians in their band, and then such a mix of vocalists and backing singers. Each of them had a powerful stage presence and the performance was just so deeply layered, it was mesmerising. They covered Sinead O Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U which any Irish person can attest they have heard 100 different renditions of, and yet they really made it their own.
After seeing them I went for a little mooch by myself and wanted to go on the ghost train. I met this lovely group of 3 that needed a 4th to go on. They got my ticket for me, and I clung onto the man next to me the entire way around, not a care in the world from either party. This is one of my favourite things about going to a festival, you somehow just potter about and make friends in a way that doesn’t happen as much in the real world.
Fresh from my spin around the house of horrors, I saw Susannah of Trinny and Susannah fame and she was lovely! It’s a difficult one isn’t it, seeing a famous person? Do you risk being the millionth person to disturb them that day, or do you just chance your arm and say hello? I really wanted to talk to her and I was glad I did because she was so kind. She stood and chatted to me for a little while and then gave me a big hug when we were parting ways. (How much did we all love that programme? I remember that Jo Brand and Sophie Raworth episode like it was yesterday.)
Back at the music stage, I got a prime spot for Friendly Fires. I don’t know their music well but I enjoyed watching them. As they worked their magic, a pit of Arsenal fans assembled towards stage left to watch the match around an iPhone.
After some chips and pulled pork, it was time for the main event. I’ve always wanted to see the Scissor Sisters and they were absolutely wicked. Everyhing about them was so much fun; big costumes, loads of energy, infectious dancing. There is a palpable sense of freedom that runs through a crowd when you’re in an LGBT space. It’s a space where no one will come to any harm. Everyone just danced, made friends, had a ball. It was truly fantastic. The Lovebox space is so intimate that no matter where you are you have a great view. If one of your favourite artists were to play here, it would be a great way to see them up close.
Thinking about the festival as a whole, it felt really well considered. I am always mindful of accessibility options because of care needs within my family. I don’t want to speak on something that isn’t my own experience, but from what I could see, Lovebox seemed more mindful of accessibility than any other festival I’ve been to. The space is largely formed of brick paths so wheels would move around with ease.
On different occasions, people were right by the barricade on mobility devices. Often at festivals the barricade or front sections can be quite jam-packed and intense. There was no such atmosphere here, just a pattern of everyone working together to make sure it was a comfortable experience for all. It was a hot day and security at the front made sure to hand out water at regular intervals. I know this isn’t new behaviour, but I noticed this more than I have at other festivals.
Clothes wise, most people were in simple outfits like jeans and a t-shirt. I say that not because I’m suggesting you need to dress a certain way, but I think with festivals it’s helpful to know what you’re actually walking into. Before going to Coachella, all I’d seen were photos of people attending in bikini tops and shorts. On night one in my little dress, I learned the hard way that it is *absolutely freezing* when the sun sets. (People had actual tin foil blankets around them, and yet we never see those on a bloody Instagram story, do we?)
My visit to this festival was quite a last-minute opportunity. I bought tickets to Mighty Hoopla this weekend which I have always wanted to go to, but I sold them at the last minute. I’ve got a lot on my mind at the moment and have felt quite overwhelmed, so the thought of a high energy environment felt too much for right now. I also know I’m going to love it when the time comes, and I didn’t want to spoil my first trip by going when I was running on empty. But when the chance came to explore a new festival with CeraVe, I wanted to take it.
CeraVe are one of a careful curation of brands I can safely use alongside my rosacea, and they have some of the most affordable options for sensitive skin. I really wanted to learn about their new launches and spend time with Dr. Kemi, and being able to enjoy a new festival along the way was a huge bonus! Given the circumstances, that I essentially came along at a time when I was feeling run down, this was a relaxing, slower pace of a day. If you want a day to unwind without walking for miles, lugging a backpack or ruining your favourite trainers, this could be it.
If you like the idea of a very chilled out, simple day listening to music, I think you’d like Lovebox a lot. It’s not quite the kind of thing you’d be bursting with excitement for, but it would be a mellow place to have a few drinks, sit in the sun and generally unwind with some live music.
If you’re wondering which festival would be right for you, there are lots more reviews here on my Substack page. Elsewhere online, I’ve created endless videos to show you what to expect when you visit them.
My first Electric Picnic: the unsuspecting rave capital of the tranquil Irish countryside
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September 3, 2025
This weekend, my cousin and I made our way to Stradbally, Co. Laois, for our first ever trip to Electric Picnic festival. I’ve grown up in Birmingham but my parents were born and raised in Kerry and Donegal. Spending my childhood summers in Kerry, both England and Ireland feel like home to me. This in mind, I was over the moon at the thought of my first…
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