Headbanging with a Stoma: My Download Festival Experience

If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be rocking out at Download Festival with my stoma, I probably would’ve laughed in your face. I’ve always said NO WAY to festivals. Partly because I’m a clean freak, but also my bag. Festivals come with a lot of unknowns - mud, queues, questionable toilets, and long days on your feet. For those of us with a stoma, that uncertainty can feel like a logistical nightmare. What if I need a toilet quickly? Will there be space to change my bag if needed? What if the toilets are GROSS?!

So, when I booked tickets to Download Festival this year, I’ll admit I was excited but also riddled with anxiety. Not about the music or the vibes (those were always going to be incredible), but about whether I could enjoy it all comfortably and without stress.

Let’s be honest, if you’ve got a stoma, you’re always a bit on high alert when it comes to toilets. We scope out loos in restaurants before ordering, mentally map public places, and carry just-in-case supplies like it’s second nature. So, the idea of spending 3 whole days at a festival, surrounded by tens of thousands of people, without easy toilet access? Yeah, that had me spiralling a little.

But let me tell you: Download Festival blew me away in all the right ways.

Before the festival, I applied for the Download accessibility pass. I wasn’t sure what to expect but figured even a slightly shorter queue for toilets would help ease my mind. What I got instead was a game-changer.

With the access pass, I had access to designated viewing areas, more spacious and better-maintained toilets, and a general sense of ease that I didn’t realise was possible at a festival. The accessible loos? Some of the cleanest I’ve ever seen at a gig. Flushable toilets. Running water sinks. Even bigger spaces that made changing a bag, had I needed to - a total breeze. Don’t get me wrong, some weren’t as nice, but the few times I did get the nice one – I felt like I was in a hotel!

I was honestly shocked. I had gone in prepared for disaster, carrying more supplies than I probably needed and planning exit routes from every stage. Instead, I found myself actually able to relax and soak up the music without that constant undercurrent of worry.

One moment that truly stopped me in my tracks was spotting the Crohn’s & Colitis UK tent. I didn’t expect to see them there, and honestly… It meant the world. I grabbed one of their “Too Metal for Your Misconceptions” tote bags and held it like a badge of honour all weekend. Seeing them there felt like being seen, like a warm little security blanket tucked into a heavy metal weekend. It was a powerful reminder that people like me belong in spaces like this. Meeting people with Crohn’s/Colitis at the gig was awesome too. I felt like I met MY people!

Now, full disclosure: I didn’t camp. But not because I couldn’t, just because I like my creature comforts. After a day in the sun (and mud), moshing to metal and squeezing through crowds, there’s nothing quite like returning to a hotel room, having a hot shower, and collapsing into a clean bed. Could I have camped? Absolutely. But for me, staying in a hotel was a little self-care luxury that helped make the whole experience even more enjoyable.

And for anyone reading this wondering if having a stoma means festivals are off the table unless you rough it, it doesn’t. You can make it work your way. If you love camping, there are definitely ways to manage your stoma on-site (and I saw plenty of fellow ostomates doing just that). But if you’d rather book a nearby hotel and feel a bit more in control of your hygiene and routine? That’s okay too.

Download wasn’t just about overcoming fears; it was about making memories. Some of my highlights? Watching Sleep Token, Poppy, and Spirit Box absolutely slay their sets. Spending time with my partner and our family made the whole experience feel even more special.

One of my favourite parts was seeing my partner completely lost in the music. I’m not really one for diving into a mosh pit, I'll leave that to the adrenaline junkies! But watching him throw himself into the chaos with the biggest smile on his face? That was a joy in itself. It reminded me why we go to festivals in the first place: to feel free, to connect, to live.

I think the best part of the weekend, aside from the awesome bands and general good vibes, was the feeling of freedom. I wasn’t “the person with a stoma” at Download. I was just a music lover, dancing and shouting lyrics with strangers. My bag was there, sure, but it wasn’t front and centre. It didn’t stop me from being in the moment. And that felt huge.

Going to a festival might seem like a small thing to some people. But for those of us with a stoma, it’s a bold move, a challenge to all the fears and assumptions we carry. And I’m so glad I did it.

In fact, I loved it so much… I’ve already booked for next year.

If you’re reading this and you’ve got a stoma, and you’ve written off festivals as “too difficult” or “too risky”… I get it. I really do. But Download proved to me that with a little planning, some support from accessibility services, and a good mindset, you can do it. You can absolutely dance in the mud with your bag and still have the time of your life.

Don’t let your stoma stop you from doing what you love.

See you in the pit next year.

Nathan x