Glastonbury

[Twit]

MiniMan64 said:

Unfortunately I think you'll find it's BLur you've got to thank for the 20 minute as they requested the BBC only show some of the set. Quite a lot of the bands have done this apparently and the BBC even got grief over not showing the full set despite not being allowed too.

Although I didnt see it, apparently they asked the BBC not to show the whole thing because of the gigs that are happening this week at Hyde Park, I think that is reasonable! Role on Thursday... Can't wait!!! Its even going to be hot!

[MoleVision]

From what I saw (on the telly) Springsteen looked very good, madness were great as well.. especially the flying saxophonist, had me in stitches.

and I wasnt impressed by Blur either but I never really liked them anyway.

Not enough current bands realise its about putting on a stage show rather than just playing the album tracks live.

[Plotloss]

MoleVision said:

Not enough current bands realise its about putting on a stage show rather than just playing the album tracks live.

All in I'd say the current and climbing acts put on far better shows than the old guard. That said The Quo and Tom Jones were both ace.

[MiniMan64]

Just been chatting to some friends who were there all weekend and they were not impressed, apparently organisation was awful, invisible security, the usual queues everywhere, poor sound quality, too many tickets sold and not enough space/toilets/space, some poor performances and far too much preachy st going on everywhere about the enviroment and God. Seems it was a lot better on TV than in person!

[Plotloss]

MiniMan64 said:

Just been chatting to some friends who were there all weekend and they were not impressed, apparently organisation was awful, invisible security, the usual queues everywhere, poor sound quality, too many tickets sold and not enough space/toilets/space, some poor performances and far too much preachy st going on everywhere about the enviroment and God. Seems it was a lot better on TV than in person!

I was there from Wednesday morning at 10am.

These friends of yours, have they been before?

Organisation was as good as ever, sound quality great in some locations, not so good in others (like its always been), space around the campsites and the facilities provided seemed unchanged, we had a nice big pitch, loads of space etc, didnt hear one reference to god (other than 'Jesus, these pills are fking great'), enviornmental stuff again unchanged and to be expected somewhat I'd say.

I'd say they've got to the point with the tickets that they need to think about making the tents bigger and changing the width of the walkways around the Pyramid stage as it was silly at times. 2002 was too quiet, 2009 a bit too busy. 2003 ticket levels were about right I reckon.

I watched it on the telly last year as its the first year I didnt go since 1997.

I wont be watching it on telly again, its still the best festival anywhere on the planet.

[Invisible man]

MiniMan64 said:

Just been chatting to some friends who were there all weekend and they were not impressed, apparently organisation was awful, invisible security, the usual queues everywhere, poor sound quality, too many tickets sold and not enough space/toilets/space, some poor performances and far too much preachy st going on everywhere about the enviroment and God. Seems it was a lot better on TV than in person!

Why am I not surprised, since Geldoff kicked off in 84 it's been impossible to avoid guilt at a music event. Couple this with the typical British habit of squeezing every last ounce of cash from events and the gravy train that is environmentalism then I doubt I'll ever go to one again

[Los Palmas 7]

MoleVision said:

Madness were great as well.. especially the flying saxophonist, had me in stitches.

He does that a lot, bit of a trademark ever since the "Baggy Trousers" video, although it looks like the harness has to be a bit stronger these days. They were obviously the highlight for me; a brilliant set of all the popular classics that the crowd seemed to lap up.

The only other performance I caught on the telly was that of The Specials, which I wasn't that impressed with.

[Mr_Wendel]

MiniMan64 said:

Just been chatting to some friends who were there all weekend and they were not impressed, apparently organisation was awful, invisible security, the usual queues everywhere, poor sound quality, too many tickets sold and not enough space/toilets/space, some poor performances and far too much preachy st going on everywhere about the enviroment and God. Seems it was a lot better on TV than in person!

Gosh. A scathing review.

I thought the organisation was fantastic. To bring something together on that scale, year after year is amazing.

We didn't queue to get into the car parks and it only took an hour to get out on Monday morning. To disperse nearly 200,000 people and their cars, out of muddy fields and down narrow country lanes, in the space of just a few hours is a great achievement in itself.

Toilet facilities were fine, not as grim as everyone made out. Walk away from the main arenas and they were even better.

As for security. Nearly 200,000 people, all having agreat time, and only 140 arrests?! Plenty of far less oppresive marshals around to help and assist. The only police-persons that I saw were three on horseback, who were being dressed up in fairy wings, bunny ears and tutu's and were in fine spirits, and a couple on bikes who tried to make it up the very steep hill next to the treehouse teahouse, to the cheers and encouragement of the people relaxing in the sunshine. Perfect balance.

Preachy st?! Very easy to avoid if you wanted to. But is the spiratual element and environmental awareness just as symbolicaly associated with Glastonbury as it's music? It is very proud of it's green credentials and support for certain causes.

[Mr_Wendel]

Plotloss said:

MoleVision said:

Not enough current bands realise its about putting on a stage show rather than just playing the album tracks live.

All in I'd say the current and climbing acts put on far better shows than the old guard. That said The Quo and Tom Jones were both ace.

I agree. Saw a few bands like British Sea Power (I am still partially deaf in my right ear) and The Official Secrets Act and they had far more energy and passion in their performance than some of the established acts. Likewise, The Lancashire Hotpots used their humour to great effect and Orkestra Del Sol played some off stuff but you couldn't help but dance with strangers around you when they got going!

I appreciate being a rock star probably ends up being a job like anything else, but at least look bothered to be there and give the paying public that put you where you are, a decent show.

I think the TV coverage is very deceptive. I was right at the front of the Pyramid Stage for both Madness and Blur. I thought Madness would be a riot, but it was very relaxed, not many people dancing or singing. I guess the TV coverage made it look like a mosh pit.

I also couldn't work out if Alex James looked cool, or just bored during Blur's set. Either way, it was great.

[MiniMan64]

Mr_Wendel said:

MiniMan64 said:

Just been chatting to some friends who were there all weekend and they were not impressed, apparently organisation was awful, invisible security, the usual queues everywhere, poor sound quality, too many tickets sold and not enough space/toilets/space, some poor performances and far too much preachy st going on everywhere about the enviroment and God. Seems it was a lot better on TV than in person!

Gosh. A scathing review.

I thought the organisation was fantastic. To bring something together on that scale, year after year is amazing.

We didn't queue to get into the car parks and it only took an hour to get out on Monday morning. To disperse nearly 200,000 people and their cars, out of muddy fields and down narrow country lanes, in the space of just a few hours is a great achievement in itself.

Toilet facilities were fine, not as grim as everyone made out. Walk away from the main arenas and they were even better.

As for security. Nearly 200,000 people, all having agreat time, and only 140 arrests?! Plenty of far less oppresive marshals around to help and assist. The only police-persons that I saw were three on horseback, who were being dressed up in fairy wings, bunny ears and tutu's and were in fine spirits, and a couple on bikes who tried to make it up the very steep hill next to the treehouse teahouse, to the cheers and encouragement of the people relaxing in the sunshine. Perfect balance.

Preachy st?! Very easy to avoid if you wanted to. But is the spiratual element and environmental awareness just as symbolicaly associated with Glastonbury as it's music? It is very proud of it's green credentials and support for certain causes.

Hey, I'm just the messenger, that's what she said. I think me and the missus are going to have our first crack at it next year, the BBC coverage was constantly on in our flat all weekend in the background.

For what it's worth on the preachy stuff, she did find it quite ironic how much it was all pushed and how it seemed to be mostly ignored for the most part. Apparently Bruce Springsteen tried to get the crowd to prey to God together or something and was met with deathly silence. No wonder the BBC didn't show that.

[sleep envy]

Mr_Wendel said:

I also couldn't work out if Alex James looked cool, or just bored during Blur's set. Either way, it was great.

he never dances - I'll post a pic if he does on Friday night at Hyde Park

first glasto for me (although I've been to a number of other festivals) - I loved it but found it too crowded at times especially at the specials and prodigy sets

sound levels varied from stage to stage although stage G in the dance village was by far the best

awesome, will be going back

[anonymous-user]

Got back 2AM yesterday morning. Had a belting time, my best in 6 or so Glastonbury's.

Yeah, took 10hrs to get in on Weds, but I was allowed to drive right in to the camping field so it saved my poor lil' legs Got out in record time tho.

I found the whole experience as good as ever, with good friends, good music, and a totally relaxed, carefree environment. I didn't see any trouble, apart from my friend getting busted at Paddington Station, but we won't go in to that here!

If you've been to other festivals, but never Glastonbury, then you can't really compare them. Glastonbury is completely different to other festivals (in this country).

Madness/Neil Young acts of the weekend.
Arthur Smith for most miserable old bugger of the weekend!