Rock and metal is better with mates.
Festivals are better with mates.
Gigs are definitely better when youโve got somebody beside you shouting the wrong lyrics at exactly the same volume.
Thatโs what The Riff Report Meet Ups are all about. ๐ธ๐ฅ
๐ค Come And Meet The Community
The Riff Report has always been about more than just articles, reviews and news.
Itโs about the people.
The gig-goers.
The festival regulars.
The bands.
The photographers.
The readers.
The people who spend half their lives planning what show theyโre going to next.
Our Meet Ups are a chance to bring that community together in the real world.
No algorithms.
No comment sections.
No profile pictures.
Just actual people having a laugh, talking music and probably discussing far too many upcoming gigs.
๐ธ What Are Riff Report Meet Ups?
Theyโre exactly what they sound like.
Informal community get-togethers where Riff Report readers, followers, contributors and friends can meet up around gigs, festivals and other rock-related events.
Sometimes it might be a planned gathering.
Sometimes it might be a quick drink before a show.
Sometimes it might be a festival meet-up involving fifteen people trying to locate each other beside a burger van.
Thatโs all part of the fun.
๐๏ธ Festival Meet Ups
Festivals are one of the biggest parts of The Riff Report calendar, so expect plenty of meet-up opportunities throughout festival season.
We may organise gatherings at events such as:
- Download Festival
- Bloodstock Open Air
- Steelhouse Festival
- Stonedead Festival
- Local and independent festivals
- Other rock and metal events across the UK
If a bunch of us are heading to the same field, thereโs a decent chance somebody will suggest meeting up.
Usually somewhere near food.
Because festival planning must always involve food.
๐ป Pre-Gig Meet Ups
Heading to the same gig as half the Riff Report community?
Perfect.
We may arrange informal pre-show meet-ups at nearby pubs, bars or suitable venues before selected gigs.
Itโs a great chance to:
- Meet other Riff Report readers
- Find gig buddies
- Talk about the band
- Compare festival plans
- Discover new music
- Put faces to usernames
- Have a drink before doors open
Then everybody disappears into the venue and somehow ends up standing in completely different places anyway. ๐
๐ค New Faces Are Always Welcome
You donโt need to know anyone already.
Thatโs the whole point.
If youโve ever wanted to go to a gig or festival but felt a bit nervous about going alone, our meet-ups can be a good way to connect with people who are heading to the same place.
Turn up.
Say hello.
Talk about music.
Thatโs enough.
Rock and metal communities are at their best when people feel welcome.
And thatโs exactly what we want our meet-ups to be.
โค๏ธ Going To Gigs Alone?
Plenty of people go to gigs and festivals by themselves.
Thereโs absolutely nothing wrong with that.
But sometimes itโs nice to know there are familiar faces around.
Riff Report Meet Ups can help people connect before an event, especially if theyโre:
- Attending alone
- Travelling from somewhere new
- Going to their first festival
- Nervous about a large event
- Looking to meet other fans
- New to the local scene
Nobody should feel like they need an entire group of mates just to enjoy live music.
๐ค Bands, Artists & Industry Friends
Bands, promoters, photographers, venue staff and other people from across the rock and metal world are welcome too.
The Riff Report community is made up of people from all corners of the scene.
The more people mix, chat and support each other, the stronger the scene becomes.
Plus, you never know who you might bump into.
One minute youโre talking about festival food.
The next youโre having a ten-minute conversation with the guitarist from a band you watched earlier that afternoon.
Thatโs rock โnโ roll.
๐ธ Photos, Memories & General Chaos
Expect photos.
Lots of them.
Group shots.
Festival selfies.
Questionable expressions.
Someone inevitably blinking.
Somebody holding a pint at a strange angle.
And one person who somehow manages to look professional while everybody else resembles survivors of a three-day camping apocalypse.
Meet-ups are about making memories as much as anything else.
๐ก๏ธ Keep It Friendly
The Riff Report Meet Ups are designed to be relaxed, friendly and welcoming.
We expect everyone attending to treat others with respect.
That means:
- Be friendly
- Respect personal boundaries
- Look out for each other
- Donโt pressure anyone to drink
- Donโt tolerate harassment
- Help create a welcoming atmosphere
Pretty simple, really.
The basic rule remains:
Donโt be a knob.
Words to live by. ๐ค
๐ง๏ธ Weather May Vary
If the meet-up is at a British festival, prepare accordingly.
Sunshine.
Rain.
Wind.
Mud.
More rain.
Potentially all four within twenty minutes.
Particularly if weโre on a Welsh mountain.
Waterproofs are highly recommended.
Optimism is optional.
๐ How Do I Find Out About Meet Ups?
Details of upcoming Riff Report Meet Ups will be shared through our website, social media channels and community spaces.
Weโll let you know:
- Where weโre meeting
- What time
- Which event itโs connected to
- Any useful landmarks
- Any last-minute changes
Festival meeting points can sometimes move depending on crowds, weather and whichever giant inflatable object turns out to be easiest to spot.
Keep an eye on our updates.
๐ค Join The Riff Report Community
One of the best things about rock and metal has always been the community surrounding it.
The people you meet in queues.
The strangers you end up talking to between bands.
The person who helps you find something you dropped in a mosh pit.
The festival mates you only see once a year but somehow pick up the conversation exactly where you left it.
Thatโs the spirit behind The Riff Report Meet Ups.
๐ธ Come Say Hello
If you see us at a gig or festival, come over.
Say hello.
Tell us what bands youโve seen.
Tell us what youโre looking forward to.
Tell us why our review was completely wrong.
We can take it. Probably. ๐
Whether youโve followed The Riff Report for years or discovered us yesterday, youโre welcome.
๐ค Meet Up. Make Mates. Support The Scene.
The Riff Report โ bringing the rock and metal community together, one gig, festival and questionable group photo at a time.
