I'm a firm believer in living life live. Whether it's live sport or live music, I'm a do-er more than a watch-er. And if you've read my blog about the best home audio set-ups then you'll know how much I enjoy music gigs and concerts. Music festivals like Glastonbury, Woodstock and Coachella offer stellar line-ups, the biggest names, the biggest crowds and the opportunity to spend a weekend immersed in it all. But there's a skill to doing it all successfully - read on to discover my top tips on buying concert tickets, which fesivals are worth your time and, most importantly, the inside track on getting the most out of each festival.

World's best music festivals

I'll be honest, the biggest music festivals aren't always the best, but they're usually the biggest for a reason. Here are some of the five biggest and best festivals in the world:

1. Glastonbury, UK - One of Europe's biggest and most comprehensive festivals, 'Glasto' takes place in a field in western England. Often muddy, tickets are like gold-dust. Expect popular, mainstream acts. There's no Glastonbury in 2012, the next is in 2013. Late June.
2. Big Day Out, Australia and New Zealand - This roving festival tours the major Australasian cities including Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. It often boasts up to eight stages, with a strong line-up of rock, pop and electronic dance music. Late January.
3. Coachella, USA - In the US, this is the big one. Combining music and arts way out in the desert near Palm Springs, it's now expanding across two weekends. It's blazing hot in the day and cool at night. Mid April.
4. Sonar, Spain - Very much a part of the fabric of Barcelona, events take place across the city over three days. There's a strong focus on electronic music and it occasionally travels to major world cities like Buenos Aires and Tokyo. Late June.
5. Roskilde, Denmark - West of the capital Copenhagen, Roskilde is famously one of the most relaxed European festivals and there's an upbeat vibe responding to the predominantly rock acts. Late June, early July.

Other music festivals to try

• Benicassim, Spain - Scorching weather for this huge, beachside European festival.
• Bonnaroo, USA - A little bit of everything is what they like at this festival in Tennessee.
• Burning Man, USA - The rules are, there are no rules. Eclectic, 'out there' festival in the Nevada dessert. Should be tried at least (and probably, only) once.
• Fuji Rocks, Japan - The ski-mountain scenery is stunning and acts equally so.
• Mosaic Festival, Singapore - This 10-day waterside festival at various venues offers many free tickets and an eclectic line-up.

Buying concert tickets

The rules here are simple - buy early and buy legitimately.

Top tips for surviving a music festival

1. Luxury camping - get a good-sized tent if you're camping (a 'two-man' tent is in reality a one-man, a three is two, etc.), or go for a yurt, teepee or whatever fixed accommodation available on-site. A decent inflatable mattress with battery-powered pump, a pillow and a duvet (or light sheet for hotter weather) will give a good night's sleep.
2. Upgrade to first class - know how you're getting there, whether that's by car or public transport and book ahead. Book flights, accommodation and train tickets soon, before they've all gone. Consider upgrading to first-class on the way back - you'll be tired and will have earned it!
3. Get the VIP treatment - if there's a VIP bar, get into it. Whether you know someone around the band or are a good talker, the upscale bars, restaurants and camping zones are where you want to be, so try your luck.

Oh, and one more thing. Take the next day off - because if you've had a good time, you'll need a little rest and recovery!