Ethnic make up of festival goers

[Raheem]

Not knocking it at all it's just wasn't an East London thing growing up and yeah, not on anybody's radar really. I'm talking early '80s onwards.
Even though we'd be at school and go to the 100 Club, Lyceum or Marquee every week to see bands.

I guess people go to festivals for different reason, but the chance to see a load of bands who have never played your town would be one. Not really such an attraction if you live in London.

 

[mx wcfc]

tbh tv coverage makes glastonbury look like a middle of the road pop festival with a strong BBC vibe running through it for atmosphere - doesnt really matter who is on stage it looks pretty shit on telly unless you are after that sort of thing

The tory MP round here goes to Glastonbury. They get free tickets,

 

[ska invita]

Looking at past Glastonbury lineups (on Wikipedia), I have to say I find it hard to see it as shockingly white, given that it is, at the end of the day, a rock festival.

 

[Raheem]

View attachment 328890

Are you saying this is a shockingly white lineup for a rock festival?

 

[Idaho]

Are you saying this is a shockingly white lineup for a rock festival?

Rock festival? Since when is Glastonbury a rock festival?

 

[Idaho]

BAME have got more common sense than to want to stand in the middle of a field, up to their ankles in "mud" in the pissing down rain

BAME are a homogenous group sharing a set of values, preferences and customs eh?

 

[ska invita]

Are you saying this is a shockingly white lineup for a rock festival?

no of course not, look at the line up - i was agreeing with you (on that year at least)

 

[platinumsage]

Glastonbury certainly wasn't notably white when I attended, which was 97-00. I don't think I saw many East Asian people there though, but I wasn't shocked by that. Sometimes the audience at certain cultural events does not reflect the general population and that is isn't always down to the organisers failing to be sufficiently inclusive.

 

[campanula]

last festival I went to was WOMAD in 1993ish (and I was fucking appalled back then at the way things were going). Plus, I have never done a Glastonbury. Can't really say I noticed the ethnicity of attendees but I certainly noticed the class of them...and it's just a big nope from me. Free parties, DIY raves - all for it...but some sanitised, monetised middle class brayfest of weekend wankers...in their freaking thousands...to watch dadrock...O No, I don't fucking think so.

It's probably fair to say that the Norfolk and Suffolk Albion Fairs I fondly recall, were almost certainly dominated by arty-farty white people (Stonehenge less so)...but just enough disreputable urban druggies to keep a decent anarcho-vibe going...

I have never been to ANY festival because of the line-up because we generally expect to be too mashed to care...and if I wanted to see a particular outfit, a festie would not be any sort of ideal choice, tbh. Can't quite believe the line-ups determine the make-up of attendees but what do I know - its 30 years since my last one.

 

[ska invita]

last festival I went to was WOMAD in 1993ish (and I was fucking appalled back then at the way things were going). Can't really say I noticed the ethnicity of attendees but I certainly noticed the class of them...and it's just a big nope from me. Free parties, DIY raves - all for it...but some sanitised, monetised middle class brayfest of weekend wankers...in their freaking thousands...to watch dadrock...O No, I don't fucking think so.

agree with the spirit of your post but credit to WOMAD for bringing acts who normally wouldnt get a look in to play in the UK, and generally massively amplify their audience reach. And its not cheap to do that with international acts - I think a ticket to WOMAD is particularly good value

(WOMAD is the one festival ticket Ive ever paid for - would go back again one day)

 

[kalidarkone]

I have always gone camping, as a kid with my folks in France and Spain and then as a teenager, going to festivals and being on the ' road' for 3 months in UK and in Spain.....then as a single parent as a way of doing cheap holidays with other parents. Taking mdk1 to festivals with other parents.

The main thing that stood out until more recently was that not many POC camp.

I've always been 'different ' whether it be because I'm black or because I was obviously alternative, which has meant for me always being in a minority regardless of if I'm with POC or with white mates.

I still remember in the 70s in France and Spain ma being stared at, people being absolutely vile to her because she was black.

Then in the 80s I got the same thing in Spain, people spitting at me, thought i was Morrocan or a gypsy.

Ime now is actually the best and most inclusive era when it comes to camping/ festivals and spending anytime in the country......however there is still a long way to go to feel that the countryside is properly inclusive of POC, I mean I don't even think Bristol is, East Bristol and St Paul's but that's it really.

 

[petee]

Is there a higher proportion of middle class ( and the children of the middle classes) than the demographics of the general population?

dead shows were packed with middle and upper middle class kids, at least hereabouts. (they could reasonably be thought of as one-band festivals)

 

[campanula]

agree with the spirit of your post but credit to WOMAD for bringing acts who normally wouldnt get a look in to play in the UK, and generally massively amplify their audience reach. And its not cheap to do that with international acts - I think a ticket to WOMAD is particularly good value

(WOMAD is the one festival ticket Ive ever paid for - would go back again one day)

Exactly so...but mostly because it was the last WOMAD at Carlyon Bay (moved to Reading the following year). Probably the ONLY festival ever, where I bothered to check out the music instead of lounging in the dirt, off my head. But you know, festivals were never really about going to see particular bands - they were a rural-ish, cheapo holiday with all your mates. When we straggled off to Wales (For Meigan Fair) or Devon (Hood) orSuffolk(Eye) or Stonehenge, most of us didn't have a clue what bands (or other diverse acts) would be performing (although Here and Now seemed pretty ubiquitous).

Definitely agree, kalidarkone - camping was just not really a thing for any POC I know. It wasn't really a thing when I was growing up for WC people either, tbh. We either stayed in B&Bs or (most likely) had daytrips on a coach to Cleveleys. Staying in a caravan was moving up in the world. I only did it cos it was cheap and we went to the same place every summer, for the entire summer holidays). And now I am old and creaky, it would be a bloody dark day before I consented to crawling around in a tent anymore (I have a horsebox).
Lots of stuff going on here taking in demographic changes, the make-up of holidays, aspirations...all quite hard to reach any sort of conclusions.

 

[kalidarkone]

Exactly so...but mostly because it was the last WOMAD at Carlyon Bay (moved to Reading the following year). Probably the ONLY festival ever, where I bothered to check out the music instead of lounging in the dirt, off my head. But you know, festivals were never really about going to see particular bands - they were a rural-ish, cheapo holiday with all your mates. When we straggled off to Wales (For Meigan Fair) or Devon (Hood) orSuffolk(Eye) or Stonehenge, most of us didn't have a clue what bands (or other diverse acts) would be performing (although Here and Now seemed pretty ubiquitous).

Definitely agree, kalidarkone - camping was just not really a thing for any POC I know. It wasn't really a thing when I was growing up for WC people either, tbh. We either stayed in B&Bs or (most likely) had daytrips on a coach to Cleveleys. I only did it cos it was cheap and we went to the same place every summer, for the entire summer holidays). And now I am old and creaky, it would be a bloody dark day before I consented to crawling around in a tent anymore (I have a horsebox).

I was at that WOMAD! I was about 4 months pregnant. I remember seeing James (the band) .

 

[campanula]

I was at that WOMAD! I was about 4 months pregnant. I remember seeing James (the band) .

Les Negresses Vertes were my stand-out memory. And sand in everything. Also, I made my money back (and some) walking about selling tequila slammers

 

[Sir Belchalot]

Edit: sorry somehow skipped reading a couple of posts above but agree that many ethnic peeps don't find the countryside in general a welcoming environment.

 

[krtek a houby]

As a tangent, there's an interesting piece here which touches on the closing of black music venues and erasure of ownership of house music

House music had its Black roots ripped up – now Drake and Beyoncé are reclaiming them | Michelle Kambasha

 

[Supine]

As a tangent, there's an interesting piece here which touches on the closing of black music venues and erasure of ownership of house music

House music had its Black roots ripped up – now Drake and Beyoncé are reclaiming them | Michelle Kambasha

What a load of rubbish that article is. When did house become white music?

You may be black, you may be white, or jew or gentle. It don’t make a difference in our house.

 

[krtek a houby]

What a load of rubbish that article is. When did house become white music?

You may be black, you may be white, or jew or gentle. It don’t make a difference in our house.

Admirable sentiments but it kind of comes across as another version of "I don't see colour"?

 

[8ball]

What a load of rubbish that article is. When did house become white music?

Def a bit racist that music gets labelled as “white” purely because it’s a bit shit.

 

[Raheem]

Def a bit racist that music gets labelled as “white” purely because it’s a bit shit.

Have a stop and think. Just a suggestion.

 

[krtek a houby]

Def a bit racist that music gets labelled as “white” purely because it’s a bit shit.

Wow

 

[Supine]

Admirable sentiments but it kind of comes across as another version of "I don't see colour"?

What does? A quote from Larry Heard? House music legend. Not white.

 

[krtek a houby]

What does? A quote from Larry Heard? House music legend. Not white.

Sorry, which quote?

 

[ska invita]

But you know, festivals were never really about going to see particular bands - they were a rural-ish, cheapo holiday with all your mates. When we straggled off to Wales (For Meigan Fair) or Devon (Hood) orSuffolk(Eye) or Stonehenge, most of us didn't have a clue what bands (or other diverse acts) would be performing (although Here and Now seemed pretty ubiquitous).

Thats definitley a key tradition of UK festivals, but not the only one.

I think some festivals are primarily about the music - Love supreme mentioned upthread is one - NOrth Sea Jazz festival!! (not a field fetival but you get my point). Womad definitely fits in that camp too from my experience...

Glastonbury has become basically about 6 different types of festival in one - and for some it is also mainly about the music - people excited to see a certain person, camping out "at the front" to see them etc.

I guess my point is 'festivals' are not just one thing and thats okay....whats sad though is, and I agree with you, is that its the free-spirited aspect of festivals that has got most lost along the way

 

[William of Walworth]

BAME have got more common sense than to want to stand in the middle of a field, up to their ankles in "mud" in the pissing down rain

Of which (R-Word and M-Word!) there was near-zero! at Glastonbury, this year!

 

[William of Walworth]

And pay almost £250 to camp in a field.

There's a little! bit ,more to Glastonbury and (most ) other festivals than this .... as I'm sure you know!

(Not all festivals cost £250= either )

 

[William of Walworth]

I do like the idea of this....I wonder how it's working in practice

‘Two worlds brought together’: Notting Hill carnival shakes up Glastonbury

Festival organiser Emily Eavis says it’s a ‘dream’ to unite two of the UK’s biggest cultural events for the first time

www.theguardian.com

I never saw this (because we were on-duty on the Sunday, the biggest of the two of those events), but several told us it really worked, and attracted a significant crowd! **

**(Ethnivity breakdoen uinknown, however ..... )

 

[William of Walworth]

Never had any appeal at all, which is odd as going to gigs from an early age really was a thing.

Too poncy, too middle-class? Dunno!

Up to you, if you have a shit-load of other things to do ( ), but I would gently suggest! that you might be missing out just a bit! .... Man!

Lots of variety (of music, and everything!), can be found at all sorts of festivals!

Not everyone, and understandably, appreciates Glastonbury -- there are definitely! a significant minority of wet and muddy ones ( )

And a lot of people find anyway, that such a large event is all too much!

However, sampling one or two events that suit your live musical tastes, and preferred kind of atmosphere, just might! appeal a bit ...

**ETA : As I see that you've a;lready posted out anyway -- 100 Club etc!

You might? know that the late Jim Driver, formerly manager/organiser of the 100 Club, also used to run and organise the Rhythm Festival near Bedford** .... I first went there in 2007, largely to see Prince Buster, who I'd never seen .... but I really wanted to, legend that he was!
Direct overland train from Elephant & Castle really helped too!

**I happened to meet festivalldeb there for the first time!! too!

We contrived to see John Cooper Clarke there as well!
(Plus Rankin Roger and Junior Roger with The Beat! )

And between us, we managed to find the Real Ale Hut! Good, because the main bar was rubbish for beer!

As it happened, we were introduced by a really good (mutual!) festival mate ... not until the Sunday though!

Encounters like that happen sometimes!

 

[krtek a houby]

Will never get a chance now, but was impressed with the amount of Irish artists playing. Old and new.