Richard
Our journey begins in earnest in 2013, when Richard first experienced the magic of festivals at Download, headlined by Slipknot, Iron Maiden, and Rammstein. The following years, 2014 and 2015, saw ritualistic attendance at Download, but everything changed one night in a dingy pub in his hometown of Tamworth. It was there, over pints and plans, that Richard and Dave stumbled upon something different—something potentially even better: Hellfest.
2016 marked the start of an epic adventure. A double festival week with Download followed by Hellfest, and Richard’s first-ever flight—on a propeller plane from a tin shed in Southampton, no less. With little hope of finding many English speakers in the campsites, Richard, Dave, and Dan defied the odds and pitched their tents within earshot of a small group of 10. That chance encounter sparked lasting friendships.
From 2016 to 2018, those bonds grew into something extraordinary. The Hellfest Travellers United Nations (HFTUN) was born—a worldwide family of infamy comprised of festival-goers who camped together in the same spot every year, forging memories as strong as the music.
After a break in 2019, plans for a triumphant return were set for 2022: two colossal weekends, 14 days of festival bliss. The first weekend brought scorching 40°C heat, living up to the festival’s Hellish name. With some well-earned downtime (and much-needed showers) midweek, the second weekend arrived, promising more unforgettable moments with the HFTUN family.
Growing up in the small peninsula town of Hastings, Rychelle always promised herself she’d escape and see the world. True to her word, she moved to England, starting out in Kent. Six years later, Kent wasn’t cutting it, so she set her sights on the craziest place she could think of: Brighton.
It was there, during a chaotic night shift alongside someone with a legendary taste in music, that her eyes were opened to the European festival scene. The stars aligned: a gap in her roster and a resale ticket to the second weekend of the 15th anniversary edition of Hellfest—a massive double-weekender—sealed the deal.
Despite not speaking a word of French, running on fumes from her night shift, and heading into completely unknown territory, she decided to go for it. On the bus she miraculously managed to talk her way onto, the only other English speaker offered her some sage advice for finding a campsite: "Walk around and yell 'CUNT' at the top of your lungs—you’ll find your people."
After wandering around for 20 minutes, her shout was answered by the most Bogan Australian accent she’d ever heard. She followed the voice and stumbled upon a campsite adorned with at least 15 different national flags and there high up in the trees, a broken gazebo twisted into the word “CUNT.”
Rychelle
If you haven’t heard the legendary tale of how Rychelle landed in the camp (and her tent), find someone at the wedding—you won’t have to look far. Plenty of guests will be eager to share their version of events. One thing is certain: Rychelle knows how to make an entrance.
Once the chaos of “tent-gate” settled and everyone relaxed into the festivities, the moment our heroes first truly crossed paths arrived. With the group seated around awkwardly, shoulder massages were being passed out, and somehow, Rychelle found herself sitting at Richard’s feet.
It didn’t take long for both of them to realize they wanted to be a part of each other’s lives. Their friendship quickly deepened, filled with 15-hour phone calls and endless conversations that never ran out of steam.
Mischief became a key ingredient in their connection. One of Richard’s favorite stories involves guiding Rychelle home from 150 miles away after a night out with workmates. Determined to walk 3 miles home from just outside Brighton’s city center, what should have taken just over an hour turned into a 3-hour odyssey. That was only the beginning of their many wild adventures. Another standout was Rychelle’s infamous leaving drinks, where tequila and vodka flowed from 3 p.m. until they staggered back to the hotel. The night ended with a concerned duo of police officers—right before she got up close and personal with the porcelain throne, whilst Richard gently held her hair (closely monitoring the sink).
By February of 2023, Richard flew to Australia to spend two months with Rychelle while she was taking a well-deserved break. Despite the distance and time zones, nothing kept them apart. On March 1, 2023, Richard officially asked Rychelle to be his girlfriend—a decision that set everything in motion. Soon after, Rychelle made the move back to England, and as they say, the rest is history.