MUDDY boots, flower crowns, beer in plastic cups and live music can mean only one thing: the UK summer festival scene is upon us.

As music revellers unite across the length and breadth of the country, it's clear the demand for large fields to dance and listen to music is as strong as ever.

The new TRNSMT festival launched this month, eager to bridge the gap during T in the Park's temporary hiatus. Bursting onto Glasgow Green from 6-8 July, top acts including Biffy Clyro and Radiohead hit the stage to excited fans.

With recent news has confirming that TRNSMT will be returning next year thanks to this year's success, the appeal of a summer festival shows no signs of waning.

Though admittedly, I seem to be the exception to the rule, as for the last five plus years I've actively avoided attending large scale festivals like T in the Park or Glastonbury.

Whilst excuses having varied from the believable "I'm too skint", to the pretentious "I prefer a more arty scene", if I'm brutally honest the truth is I'm an old, boring soul.

Just the thought of camping amongst large groups of rowdy people, using toilets and shower facilities that leave you feeling dirtier, and spending £10 on a food truck burger, is enough to bring me out in hives.

But once this wave of pathetic thoughts subside and the festival highlights are shown on TV, I'll admit it, the green eyed monster pays a visit.

If you can look past the dirt and embrace a festival warts and all, it can be a hugely rewarding experience.

This past Friday, putting my hard-to-shake reservations aside, I spent the day at London's Lovebox festival in Victoria Park.

Enticed by one of my favourite acts gracing the line-up - the soulful Solange - I travelled down with friends to experience this crazy little thing called a festival.

Now firstly I'll admit that Lovebox is nowhere near the size of T in the Park. A small-scale music event, I knew going in that there wouldn't be the same size of crowds, and heard rumours there was a tent devoted solely to the pursuit of Prosecco: so far so good.

The day did not disappoint on both counts. Whilst the headliners naturally attracted a big audience generating the sort of atmosphere you'll relive again and again through storytelling, there was equally plenty of space to avoid the crowds and kick back.

Whilst others might sneer at a mud-free, small scale festival, it's all relative if it appeals to you.

No two people are the same and thankfully the same goes for festivals: there's one out there for all of us.