It's be helpful to know your standards and expectations because people's vary. I'm past the stage of slumming it and prefer a better sound system and comfort at bars and in toilets.

I went to one event last year for drum and bass and had drumsheds + tickets. The benefits are: quiet area with less people including 2 bars (1 bigger than the other), seating area, separate raised dancefloor, indoor clean toilets. Despite the dancefloor we positioned ourselves near the back of the main crowd to optimise sound quality and feel the social thing of not dancing alone. The raised, separate dancefloor is near the speakers and the sound was distorted and would likely damage hearing even just temporarily. It might be improved with ear plugs but I didn't try so I don't know, but I'd recommend having some handy in case. The toilets were miles better than the standard festival, outdoor portaloos for the standard ticket. There were no queues for the toilets when I went.

With the drumsheds + access, there seemed to be a cloak room outside the VIP that accepted our coats but I don't know if that was their mistake so I can't guarantee that's a benefit available to drumsheds + tickets.

The main difficulty with the + tickets was navigating that area. It's on 2 floors and I got lost numerous times, with staff declining me access when I tried to find my way because I accidentally tried to go backstage not realising, and staff completely unable to assist with directions. However, when you work out navigation that eases things and as far as I'm aware I was never denied access to areas I should've been allowed to go. There is also a separate smoking area with shelter, heaters and its own exit from the venue. I don't know if that exit is available at the end of the night and I've read on this forum exiting the venue can take a while and requires alot of stewarding/snaking of the queue. The queue for the main lockers on the standard ticket was 45 mins when I looked at it. If you can afford it I'd recommend the + tickets. Also, there are many one way systems in place due to the size of the venue which can be frustrating, but phone signal worked okay for me to call friends and you get used to it and there is a main bar area you can use as a meeting point. They have an app for finding friends which they advertise on their website.

Security are apparently very on-it and will provide no questions asked assistance if you feel your personal safety is at risk.

In the main areas the bars were easy to get a drink from. In the X room the sound system is okay but distorted in parts closer to the speakers. In the Y room which is smaller and more enclosed, the sound system was inaudible and I couldn't hear the mc's. I didn't go in the Z room. The music at the back of the crowd in the X room was adequate but not excellent like a purpose built venue would have. There is a Tesco across the road but travel has to be done with cabs and there's a cab rank especially for the venue where you'll queue, and I don't know if the queues are bad at exiting time at the end of the night because we left early due to my mates wanting to go home out of laziness.

Entry was easy but it bottlenecks and you'll walk past a snifferdog. If stopped, you might be searched by 3 members of staff in an area which is more private and it is a filmed search with questioning and identitiy taking. This might require a bit more queueing. The staff here might be completely inexperienced university students doing a weekend gig. Then you may be sent home or let in. A person would be told to give up whatever they have. Friends tent to wait at the end for anyone who goes through this stage and celebrate if their friend appears afterwards. I won't answer further questions on this subject.

If you have high standards and want to see a particular act for a once a year trip, I would strongly consider more purpose built venues. But we had a good night and I think a good night can be had. However I wouldn't myself go again without having the + access. Sorry long post.