The Oval (Hastings) Hastings reviews by real event-goers

Review of Boogie By The Sea

The music was really good. Billy Ocean was our favourite. What a legend! Sad that Boney M were late so only did 4 songs.
We are so glad we booked VIP tickets. The view was brilliant and we could take our camping chairs in there comfortably.
We checked in fast track with our VIP tickets another plus and there was a bar and toilets within the VIP area so not much queuing.
However there was no food kiosks in there, we had to queue for a long time for food outside the VIP area. Drinks were expensive. You couldnt purchase a glass of wine only a bottle for £29. We would ve preferred to have the option to take in a picnic or at least some snacks but this is not allowed.
Security was tight and it felt safe.
Overall we had a fantastic evening and would love to return but with a picnic next time!

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Review of Boogie By The Sea

It was all really fantastic, really enjoyed it , but it was a disaster where the food outlets were concerned. Queued for 1.20mins for food #disgusting!!! Toilets need to be closer than “ at the back “ it was crazy hard to get to them through the crowd. The fact that the bar x 2 was enormous & the food outlets relatively small speaks volumes!! The bands ( except soul 2 soul ) were absolutely fantastic. Thank you boogie by the sea - see you 2025

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Review of Boogie By The Sea

The line up was fab but the problems started before we even got in: 45 minutes of queuing for ticket holders; Unacceptable. Bony M started 35 mins late and only played for 25 minutes; Not what it said on the packet. Clearly, given the lineup, you were going to get an audience of people aged 60+ - provide some seating next time, even hay bales will do; 60+ year-olds can't stand up for 7 hours straight. Food and drink: a bottle of cheap plonk was £30. A round of 4 drinks - about £30. Rip-off. Food- £15 minimum for a panini or a small bowl of rice and meat, which you had to queue for over an hour to buy, and miss a whole act in the process: Utter you-are-taking -the-piss rip off. Next time bring in local businesses to do the catering and let us take in some water at least. Stop being so greedy and keep prices reasonable. Like it was this time, no way will I come again next year.

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Absolute shambles! Long queues to get in and first performance cut short to 23minutes instead of 60! Soul 2soul lead was so rude and would have like more of Boney M . Not enough food stalls, waiting 90minutes for a halloumi wrap is ridiculous, missed the show waiting. Drinks warm and overpriced for a can . Told can't take food or drink in but people next to us had brought in a whole picnic!! Should allow picnics might cut the food queues down.

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Music good, apart from Soul II Soul (many people didn't know their songs), paid for VIP, VIP entry not sign posted until last 25 metres, the queued for 45 mins to get in as not enough staff on gate, entrance was not where you said on my 3 words, VIP area oversold and crowded. Boney M started an hour late as people still queuing to get in as not enough staff on gates. Then cut from hour to 20 mins! Need entry either side of VIP area to stop people continually walking across . Food selection poor, had to queue 45 mins plus. Had ham/cheese panini which was burnt on both sides...No hand wash facilities in toilets. No drinking water available. Drink / food prices more than larger festivals

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Great concert and despite the long queue to get in we saw all the acts as they delayed the first on

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Good Times

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Great acts, fantastic atmosphere, everybody working worked really hard to make sure everyone enjoyed it

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Such a shame that boney m was on for such a shirt time especially as soul to soul were terrible. Rest of the line up wad fantastic.

Review of Boogie By The Sea

We were sold a bottle of wine but not allowed to take the lid! At £29 a bottle I thought this was a cheek as it could have easily been dropped or knocked over. It was a plastic bottle as well do not really dangerous. We were told we might put the lid on & throw it in the crowd! The queue was massive getting in & we nearly missed the 1st act but they were late on. There was nowhere under cover to go if it had rained & umbrellas weren't allowed. There were nowhere near enough food stalls & they ran out of basics & not enough staff manning them & they didn't accept the tokens. Also you weren't allowed to take any of your own food in, which wouldn't have been too bad if you didn't have to queue up for an hour! We enjoyed the music but overall this should have been run much better. Also too many people had chairs near the front of the stage & in the dark people were falling over them. Chairs should not have been anywhere near the stage especially when it got dark.

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Drinks were extortionate, that's why only 1 star! Also very bizarre to have the gates open at 4pm and the first act is 4pm! Should the gates not have been opened a bit earlier to get everyone in???

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Review of Boogie By The Sea

My only recommendation was that there was no entry signage for VIP ticket holders. It was only following several people who were overtaking the queue that we found a separate entry.

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Review of Boogie By The Sea

Excellent venue, great line up of acts. Extortionate prices for food and drink and not being allowed to take your own food and drink in is very poor