If you think festival season is all about flower crowns and muddy fields, think again.
Deep in England’s Lincolnshire countryside, there’s a gathering in the sleepy town of Allington that only those “in the know” dare to visit.
Dubbed by The Sun’s sex writer as “Glastonbury with orgies and Love Island-style beauties,” Swingathon, now in its fifth year, isn’t your typical festival.
But speaking to news.com.au’s In the Newsroom podcast, its organizer, Matt Cole, insists it still has elements of a standard festival.
“It’s got live music and entertainment, but it’s for people in the lifestyle,” Cole told the podcast.
For those not familiar with “the lifestyle,” swinging involves people from all walks of life – LGBTQIA+, queer, couples, and anyone willing to explore non-monogamy.
The three-day event held last weekend marked its biggest turnout yet, with nearly 1,000 revellers descending on the small town – which was more than the entire local population.
But despite its fun ethos, the event drew serious complaints last year from nearby residents who claimed they heard loud, hours-long “moaning” sounds coming from the campgrounds.
Cole insists that this was only half true.
“Yes, we had (moaning), but the complaints are basically a lie. We are three miles (4.8km) from the nearest village, so if anyone can scream that loud … that’s a scream,” he laughed.
He believes that much of the negative press comes from locals disagreeing with the festival’s premise.
The event is mainly made up of couples, with a two-person ticket setting you back around $470 AUD ($308 USD) and singles around $400 ($263 USD).
This year, there were around 100 single men and 50-60 single women in attendance.
In terms of the age bracket, the average age is 37, which is much younger than many would expect.
“The youngest that we let in was 21 and the oldest guy was 69,” he shared.
So what actually goes on behind the gates?
By day, the festival – which sees people rock up in anything from their birthday suits, lingerie and fancy dress – hosts lots of different events.
“We have a UV party, a social night, workshops, live talks, and demonstrations,” Cole explains.
But they’re not just standard demonstrations.
“Some of them might be like flogging, wax play or rope play,” he says. “Or pole dancing, burlesque classes and massage classes”.
There are also hot tubs, sex games, foam parties, and mobile dungeons.
Butt plug bingo is one of the more interesting events, which is bingo with a cheeky twist to it (you win the adult-themed toy at the end).
In terms of the actual swinging, there are sanctioned tents where people can go if they’re interested in exploring some adult fun.
“It’s all controlled,” Cole explains. “There’s group tents, then there’s voyeur tents – all sorts of tents for everybody”.
But before you think it’s all debauchery, Mr. Cole says that many don’t even go for that reason.
Many simply attend for the liberating, body positivity aspect.
“They just go to be around like-minded people,” he says. “It’s not what people think. You don’t just turn up and start swinging. A lot of friendships get made, and people leave with so much more confidence than when they started.”
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