Hey guys! So last week, on the 15th and 16th August, we went to the ExCel Centre in London to attend the UK's biggest YouTube convention, Summer in the City. The main idea of it is to bring both YouTube video creators and fans together in an awesome, interactive weekend, including live performaces, panels, and meet and greets.
I (Sabrina), went to Summer in the City last year and didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would have. This was down to the fact that I spent my one day there queuing to meet Dan and Phil, but due to the lack of organisation, with improper lines of far too many people squashed between barriers bursting forward sporadically - I never got the chance to. Having wanted to have met them for about a year I was quite disappointed. The day brightened a little when we had the opportunity to meet Luke and Emma, who I had also been watching for a while. They were really lovely, but that didn't stop me from being disappointed with the day in general.
But enough dwelling on the negatives in the past, this post is about this year's events! This year was so much of an improvement, and overall we're both really happy with how everything turned out. So, we'll start from the beginning...
I (Sabrina), went to Summer in the City last year and didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would have. This was down to the fact that I spent my one day there queuing to meet Dan and Phil, but due to the lack of organisation, with improper lines of far too many people squashed between barriers bursting forward sporadically - I never got the chance to. Having wanted to have met them for about a year I was quite disappointed. The day brightened a little when we had the opportunity to meet Luke and Emma, who I had also been watching for a while. They were really lovely, but that didn't stop me from being disappointed with the day in general.
But enough dwelling on the negatives in the past, this post is about this year's events! This year was so much of an improvement, and overall we're both really happy with how everything turned out. So, we'll start from the beginning...
Saturday 15th August
On the Saturday, after a wake up time of 6:40am, we received a phone call from our friend to tell us our train had been cancelled. The panic set in as we wondered how we would actually get to the venue on time - seeing as we had a meet and greet at 12pm. We ended up driving to a further train station and caught a train, then the tube, changed lines, changed again, got onto the DLR, got off the DLR, walked up the stairs and by 11:15am we were at the ExCel Centre. As neither of us had been before, we didn't know what to expect, but after walking down the (seemingly never-ending!) food boulevard that stretched throughout the building we found the entrance, collected our wristbands and headed into the exhibition hall. We had made it!
As I'm sure you could expect, it was initially quite overwhelming. It had been about half an hour since they opened the main doors and already hundreds, if not thousands, of people have started buzzing around the place. After a quick look around we thought it was best to start queueing up to meet Dan and Phil.
Seeing as there was a new system this year, we hadn't been sure if we would actually get ballot tickets for the pair. With (I believe) at least 2000 people applying to meet them our chances were very slim - but thankfully we were 2 of the 300 applicants that got tickets. After last year's disaster, I (Sabrina) was so so happy to find out that we had a guaranteed place to meet them, as well as Carrie Hope Fletcher and Pete Bucknall the next day.
After queuing for about an hour and a half in the overflowing Queue E, it was our turn to meet Dan and Phil. We've both been watching them on YouTube for about two years, so we were completely ecstatic. Once it was time, I (Sabrina) hugged Phil, and then Dan, and they asked how I was and were incredibly nice and in a such a good mood. I asked if we could take a selfie together so Dan took my phone and said that he would take it because he has "really long arms anyway". I asked for a derp selfie and of course it turned out to be horrifically beautiful.
Next it was me (Alison) to meet them. Overall, it was a very exciting, but also a very rushed experience. I don't remember much of it if I'm honest - I got in a couple of 'Hi's, hugs and three selfies - as with Sabrina - taken by Dan. I would say I'm just really glad I actually got to meet them - making getting Summer in the City tickets for myself and Sabrina for my birthday finally feel worth it.
As soon as it happened, we both ended up bursting into tears because we were just so emotional about the entire thing - just as we bumped into one of Alison's friends through tumblr - Lauren. While it was lovely to finally meet her, it probably would have been better to have an actual conversation, rather than a blubbering "You're real, they're real, everything's real!". We decided that the best thing would be to get some food, gather our thoughts and start thinking about what to do next.
As I'm sure you could expect, it was initially quite overwhelming. It had been about half an hour since they opened the main doors and already hundreds, if not thousands, of people have started buzzing around the place. After a quick look around we thought it was best to start queueing up to meet Dan and Phil.
Seeing as there was a new system this year, we hadn't been sure if we would actually get ballot tickets for the pair. With (I believe) at least 2000 people applying to meet them our chances were very slim - but thankfully we were 2 of the 300 applicants that got tickets. After last year's disaster, I (Sabrina) was so so happy to find out that we had a guaranteed place to meet them, as well as Carrie Hope Fletcher and Pete Bucknall the next day.
After queuing for about an hour and a half in the overflowing Queue E, it was our turn to meet Dan and Phil. We've both been watching them on YouTube for about two years, so we were completely ecstatic. Once it was time, I (Sabrina) hugged Phil, and then Dan, and they asked how I was and were incredibly nice and in a such a good mood. I asked if we could take a selfie together so Dan took my phone and said that he would take it because he has "really long arms anyway". I asked for a derp selfie and of course it turned out to be horrifically beautiful.
Next it was me (Alison) to meet them. Overall, it was a very exciting, but also a very rushed experience. I don't remember much of it if I'm honest - I got in a couple of 'Hi's, hugs and three selfies - as with Sabrina - taken by Dan. I would say I'm just really glad I actually got to meet them - making getting Summer in the City tickets for myself and Sabrina for my birthday finally feel worth it.
As soon as it happened, we both ended up bursting into tears because we were just so emotional about the entire thing - just as we bumped into one of Alison's friends through tumblr - Lauren. While it was lovely to finally meet her, it probably would have been better to have an actual conversation, rather than a blubbering "You're real, they're real, everything's real!". We decided that the best thing would be to get some food, gather our thoughts and start thinking about what to do next.
After wandering for a while, we decided it was time to get some merchandise. The queues were huge - so we went for the shortest one (of a YouTuber we watch), which happened to be Luke Cutforth's. We're both also fans of Dottie James and knew her poster was for sale there too. Whilst queuing, it came to our attention that Dottie was actually at the stand and we had the amazing opportunity to meet her. For me (Alison), this was probably the best part of Summer in the City, as I didn't think I was going to get to meet her. It really was lovely, and Dottie is such a great person to talk to - she complimented us both, took selfies with each of us, signed our posters and had a small conversation with both of us.
Afterwards, we found ourselves at the main stage (and with an amazing spot) watching Elyar Fox and then Area 11 live. This was after we had been cut off in the line for the Creative Process panel. Everyone standing around the stage was really lovely and calm (thank you very much to the guy who took the time to warn us that there may be a mosh pit - I would say you were one of our favourite people at the event!).
Next up was the YouTube awards. This was a great time filled with confetti, plenty of YouTubers and a lot of smiling from both of us, and those around us. It's almost like a 'proud Mum' moment, getting to see all these YouTubers going up to receive their play buttons, as you know they work so hard and really deserve it. The smiles were followed by tears for Dodie Clark's amazing performance afterwards. She played quite a few songs and sang beautifully (as per usual) but her little statement and introductions were what really did it for us - she truly was brilliant.
At the end of the night, it was time to head back to the hotel so we could get back easily the next day. We took the cable car from the venue to the other side of the river and some of the views were spectacular. With all the big buildings, the lights and the water, it just all looked like a magical ending to a brilliant day.
Next up was the YouTube awards. This was a great time filled with confetti, plenty of YouTubers and a lot of smiling from both of us, and those around us. It's almost like a 'proud Mum' moment, getting to see all these YouTubers going up to receive their play buttons, as you know they work so hard and really deserve it. The smiles were followed by tears for Dodie Clark's amazing performance afterwards. She played quite a few songs and sang beautifully (as per usual) but her little statement and introductions were what really did it for us - she truly was brilliant.
At the end of the night, it was time to head back to the hotel so we could get back easily the next day. We took the cable car from the venue to the other side of the river and some of the views were spectacular. With all the big buildings, the lights and the water, it just all looked like a magical ending to a brilliant day.
Sunday 16th August
So we took the cable car back to the venue the next morning knowing it was a shorter day for us, but not knowing how long we would end up queuing to meet Carrie and Pete. We were quite lucky in that, for our ballot options, we received our first choice for both the Saturday and Sunday - so we queued up and hoped for the best. Having the experience of the rush from the day before we felt ready to approach this meet and greet calmly and make the most of it - however, after queuing for three hours, we realised that today fans were getting more time with the YouTubers. Whether this was requested by Carrie and Pete or not, we don't know, but it was reassuring to know that going up there you didn't have to stress out as much.
As with Dan and Phil, I went up, got hugs and said my greetings but somehow I (Alison) slipped out how much I loved their shoes... I always love looking at shoes but usually I keep my mouth shut. But despite my slight awkwardness, they were lovely and kind people. A volunteer took our pictures for us, and then it was Sabrina's turn.
I (Sabrina) went up to them and hugged Carrie first, and then Pete (who, by the way, gave a nice long/tight hug). Like what happened with Dan and Phil, everything was a bit of a blur, but I remember both Carrie and Pete complimented the flower crown that I was wearing and asked where I got it from (the Dan and Phil merch stand in case you were wondering). We took pictures together, and once again we were on our way out of the queueing area.
After having realised that both of our official meet and greets had been and gone, it was around this point that it had started to sink in that Summer in the City was starting to draw to a close. After grabbing a couple of delicious bagels from one of the restaurants, we went back into the main hall for the last time. We had about two hours until we had to get our train, so we spent this by going around the place and actually checking out the cool stuff they had. We had a fun round on the bumper cars, watched an amazing girl sing on the open mic stage, and had a couple of Polaroid pictures taken of us that we'll cherish for a long time. We also got a quick chance to meet Martyn Lester, who is Phil's brother. He manages the majority of the Dan and Phil merchandise, and he's known to be a sweet guy, so we went over and took a few selfies with him too.
Soon enough, it came to 4:30pm, and we reluctantly left the ExCel Centre. Overall, Summer in the City was such a brilliant and emotional time, and even though we were a bit sad that the whole event was over, but it was so worth it. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" - a motto that I (Sabrina) live by, and it was going around my head for the majority of the train journeys. I spent the time reflecting on everything that had happened over the weekend from start to finish, feeling quite content about the whole thing. I don't think I could really ask for much more from the SitC team, as they have really improved the entire event since last year. We both thoroughly enjoyed Summer in the City, and who knows, we might have an even better time if we go next year too!
Thank you for reading this incredibly long post, we really appreciate it. Don't forget to leave a comment below with your favourite parts about Summer in the City too!
See you soon with another blog post
- Alison and Sabrina
As with Dan and Phil, I went up, got hugs and said my greetings but somehow I (Alison) slipped out how much I loved their shoes... I always love looking at shoes but usually I keep my mouth shut. But despite my slight awkwardness, they were lovely and kind people. A volunteer took our pictures for us, and then it was Sabrina's turn.
I (Sabrina) went up to them and hugged Carrie first, and then Pete (who, by the way, gave a nice long/tight hug). Like what happened with Dan and Phil, everything was a bit of a blur, but I remember both Carrie and Pete complimented the flower crown that I was wearing and asked where I got it from (the Dan and Phil merch stand in case you were wondering). We took pictures together, and once again we were on our way out of the queueing area.
After having realised that both of our official meet and greets had been and gone, it was around this point that it had started to sink in that Summer in the City was starting to draw to a close. After grabbing a couple of delicious bagels from one of the restaurants, we went back into the main hall for the last time. We had about two hours until we had to get our train, so we spent this by going around the place and actually checking out the cool stuff they had. We had a fun round on the bumper cars, watched an amazing girl sing on the open mic stage, and had a couple of Polaroid pictures taken of us that we'll cherish for a long time. We also got a quick chance to meet Martyn Lester, who is Phil's brother. He manages the majority of the Dan and Phil merchandise, and he's known to be a sweet guy, so we went over and took a few selfies with him too.
Soon enough, it came to 4:30pm, and we reluctantly left the ExCel Centre. Overall, Summer in the City was such a brilliant and emotional time, and even though we were a bit sad that the whole event was over, but it was so worth it. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" - a motto that I (Sabrina) live by, and it was going around my head for the majority of the train journeys. I spent the time reflecting on everything that had happened over the weekend from start to finish, feeling quite content about the whole thing. I don't think I could really ask for much more from the SitC team, as they have really improved the entire event since last year. We both thoroughly enjoyed Summer in the City, and who knows, we might have an even better time if we go next year too!
Thank you for reading this incredibly long post, we really appreciate it. Don't forget to leave a comment below with your favourite parts about Summer in the City too!
See you soon with another blog post
- Alison and Sabrina