Augie March
blahem
Must... go... next... year.
Never been yet.
Never been yet.
Glastonbury 2008
- Thread starter pagan
- Start date
wiskey
Albatross Admirer
a friend went to BM last year and came back raving (slightly too enthusiastically i thought) about how totally amazing it was.
i've just been to a thoroughly fantastic version of Midsummer Nights Dream (in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, English and Shakespearean) and feel totally reinvigorated about the whole festival thing. Pagan is right, glasto is the benchmark, nowhere else do you get that electric atmosphere, that amazing feeling of watching someone just soak up the place with their mouth open having never seen anything like it.
i've just been to a thoroughly fantastic version of Midsummer Nights Dream (in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, English and Shakespearean) and feel totally reinvigorated about the whole festival thing. Pagan is right, glasto is the benchmark, nowhere else do you get that electric atmosphere, that amazing feeling of watching someone just soak up the place with their mouth open having never seen anything like it.
firky said:I remember a wearing a tshirt jumping over the fence a big ball crushing tents
ellastica, masive attack on shrooms pulp, and bits of the verve
I could have told you that was 95 and I didn't go
which I spose goes to show, if you can remember it, you clearly weren't there
pagan said:Well, surprise, surprise, nothing is as good as it used to be. Things change, people change, that's the nature of evolution.....
Despite everything (and that includes this long time festie goer having half his entire stash stolen by over zealous security before I'd even entered the site this year) Glasto remains the flagship, the benchmark, the industry standard. If it wasnt for Glasto, there would be NO other smaller festies. Maybe it's up to the old timers
Brilliant post
(and thank you 
)We really have gotta meet up some time for that cider n nostalgic old festie timers' natter ...
Firks, 1995 was up there with the best for me, probably the best. Being a chain-spliffing pissed twat, I missed both Pulp an Massive that year, but what the fuck. Best time ever .... only 2000 came close but that was spoiled by the scary overcrowding, to some extent ... and some friends got robbed
I dream of having another Glastonbuy as hot and sunny throughout as 1995 again ... we're well overdue.
Fact fans : There hasn't been a Glastonbury since 1995 when it hasn't rained at all not even a little bit. And certainly not one as hot (beginning of 2005 came close but then there was the deluge).
And yet 2001 and 2006 (fallow years) were pretty good dry summer weekends .. so whatever pessimistic folks say, rain and mud are not inevitable.
I have high hopes of a scorcher in 2008.
I dream of having another Glastonbuy as hot and sunny throughout as 1995 again ... we're well overdue.
Fact fans : There hasn't been a Glastonbury since 1995 when it hasn't rained at all not even a little bit. And certainly not one as hot (beginning of 2005 came close but then there was the deluge).
And yet 2001 and 2006 (fallow years) were pretty good dry summer weekends .. so whatever pessimistic folks say, rain and mud are not inevitable.
I have high hopes of a scorcher in 2008.
I dont agree with any of that. I was a 'stonehenge free festival' veteran before I'd ever stepped inside the fence at galstonbury and stonehenge, for me was the greatest festival I've ever seen in this country. Glastonbury has never come anywhere close to that in terms of togetherness, unity, chaos, fun, etc etc and when the dogs and the crusties and vehicles got banned from site that was the beginning of the end for pilton.pagan said:Glasto remains the flagship, the benchmark, the industry standard. If it wasnt for Glasto, there would be NO other smaller festies. Maybe it's up to the old timers
I do recognise that there is a lot of entertainment to be had there and you can get off your tits and fall about in the mud with your mates but thats not what a festival is imo.
A good festival is a gathering of the tribes and a meeting place for all the travellers and interesting souls. There might as well be a starbucks on every corner at pilton these days. Its more like a day out at weston super mare than a festival experience these days.
Anyway, I'm fed up with going on about this. makes me sound like a grumpy old man.
newbie
undisambiguated
Pavlik said:
this is obv the thread for grumpy old men
personally I agree with almost everybody, because there is truth in every point of view. And passion, real passion, because Glasto actually means something real enough to matter, even to those who haven't been for years but still want to pop up on these threads to say why not.
That's what makes this subject run and run, the festival passion that might have burned brightest sometime long ago but has burned longest and most consistently and most positively in that ridiculous site with poor access and pylons and dreadful drainage and all that..
Windsor and the early Stonehenges, the ones at the top of the hill, were simply the best because nothing was laid on, nothing was really organised there was just us and what we made happen. But Windsor got broken up and heads got cracked, Stonehenge turned into a squaddie on booze n speed nightmare and all good things come to a point where you have to move on. By comparison Glastonbury may be tame, but it's managed to stay just about the safe side of legal, which is why it's survived year after year.
Aye it lost something when vehicles were banned from site, no question; something just as special was lost when police were allowed on site, yet no-one misses the gangs with the pickaxe handles and the knives and the dogs; no-one misses the huge traffic jams at the bottom of Muddy Lane. But we can miss the goats and horses and the live-ins and guys wandering around with huge flags shouting "ACID" and an arrow. Romantic nostalgia is like that.
It keeps changing. There's lots of things I'd change, my own vision is different- throw the BBC off site, close the bars, get rid of almost every fence, laminate, wristband and all the other elitisms. I can't do any of that, but I can ignore the Starbucks and find the bits I like.
You're either on the bus or you got off.
I've been to every glasto since 97. But I also am having doubts about attending in 2008. I had a good time this year but like others believe that I can have a better time elsewhere and on a smaller budget.
The major annoyance for me this year was the lack of late night music. There was some stuff around but you really have to search it out and when you found it is was rammed. I'm not blaming anyone for this I know the trouble the festival has getting it's licence, it's just not for me, I like the music to out last me.
The major annoyance for me this year was the lack of late night music. There was some stuff around but you really have to search it out and when you found it is was rammed. I'm not blaming anyone for this I know the trouble the festival has getting it's licence, it's just not for me, I like the music to out last me.
Fair dos Pavlik. I know plenty of other old schoolers who share your reactions.
I was at Stonehenge 84 AND Glastonbury 84 a few days later, and loved BOTH.
They were very early festivals for me in my 25 year (plus) career of festie obsession, and to me Newbie's longer post above sume up what's good and bad about both.
I'll be back next year to Pilton, cos for all the changes and drawbacks, I still love the parts of the site I love to an insane extent. But I'll also be doing plenty of other, more freespirited, smaller festivals too.
I'm lucky that I can afford the time and money, but the festival season provides my freedom and fun times and my holidays and I rarely fail to have a fucking fantastic time every summer, from a 500 person tiny hippy festival to the Glastonphant monster and most points inbetween.
I have a policy now of going to at least one new festival every year and next year I'll be doing two ....
I was at Stonehenge 84 AND Glastonbury 84 a few days later, and loved BOTH.
They were very early festivals for me in my 25 year (plus) career of festie obsession, and to me Newbie's longer post above sume up what's good and bad about both.
I'll be back next year to Pilton, cos for all the changes and drawbacks, I still love the parts of the site I love to an insane extent. But I'll also be doing plenty of other, more freespirited, smaller festivals too.
I'm lucky that I can afford the time and money, but the festival season provides my freedom and fun times and my holidays and I rarely fail to have a fucking fantastic time every summer, from a 500 person tiny hippy festival to the Glastonphant monster
and most points inbetween.I have a policy now of going to at least one new festival every year and next year I'll be doing two ....
pagan
Guerilla Gardener
Tort said:Err.... why not?
Don't you remember about ten years ago all the little festies like the Forest Fair, Treworgy and Elephant had vanished....then Glasto became really popular and promoters suddenly thought 'cor, I'll have a bit of that' and now there's like 100 festivals all over the UK. I don't think it's a coincidence.
Lisarocket
In bed with me dinner
pagan said:
More than that Pagan. There were around 450 festivals this summer-loads more than last year
pagan said:
I hate to be picky but you said
I'm not denying for one moment that the alternative festival circuit and the festival scene in general is more healthy now than it has probably ever been. But to suggest that NONE of this would exist without Glastonbury would appear to be a little blinkered. Elephant died in 1986 because the travellers outstayed their welcome. Treworgey only ever existed for one long glorious weekend in 1989. But there are a good few more that have survived since that period and beyond into the realms of history. And more again still that have blossomed as a reaction against the large commercial festivals rather than trying to copy one that a lot of people perceive as being at least in danger of going down the same dark path.
Pavlik said:
You were in a bus or truck and had a shedload of quality drugz??
One major festival-career-regret for me, that -- missing Treworgey
But I've heard loads about it ...
han
love is the answer
Personally, I'm not fussed about Glasto anymore.
I haven't been since the big fence went up, and I've always worked on campaign stalls when I've been, so have never paid to go, and I don't really find the idea of paying £150 + drugs/booze/food that appealing....
There are so many little festivals popping up these days that are really sound - I am much more into them these days!
I haven't been since the big fence went up, and I've always worked on campaign stalls when I've been, so have never paid to go, and I don't really find the idea of paying £150 + drugs/booze/food that appealing....
There are so many little festivals popping up these days that are really sound - I am much more into them these days!
that sounds highly likelyWilliam of Walworth said:You were in a bus or truck and had a shedload of quality drugz??
I was there with my gf and some of my best friends i reckon.
I remember it was sunny too. (or was that the elephant fair
) I've never really had a clue where i am tbh. I just enjoy a good party
I kept the programme for years too, which looked a lot like that flyer.
just remembered i had a piccy from thereWilliam of Walworth said:One major festival-career-regret for me, that -- missing Treworgey
But I've heard loads about it ...
we had a really uncool but great ford granada and i borrowed a ratty old caravan off my boss. Its all coming back to me now
Pix of Treworgey are very rare -- nice one
that was on the thursday or friday i reckon.
i had one of my most embarrasing festy moments right there.
we had just arrived and parked at the top of that hill.
having never had a caravan before, i unhitched it and it started rolling swiftly down the hill.
scared the shit outta me and took every bit of strength i had to stop it ploughing into all the tents and vehicles below
see... I have got a memory after all
i had one of my most embarrasing festy moments right there.
we had just arrived and parked at the top of that hill.
having never had a caravan before, i unhitched it and it started rolling swiftly down the hill.
scared the shit outta me and took every bit of strength i had to stop it ploughing into all the tents and vehicles below
see... I have got a memory after all
david dissadent
New Member
This is kinda the "Im not going to Glasto" thread....
david dissadent said:
No it isn't!
Gerry1time
Did a wee in Dirac's toilet
This thread's really helped me clarify my thoughts on glasto next year. Been every year since 97, and really couldn't imagine not going again, but it really has changed, and so have I too i guess. I've thought over the last few years that the problem could be summed up as lots of people looking for the festival, and no-one being the festival. Couple of years ago saw a kid go up to some pagans who had just held a little spiritual ritual and ask what time their next performance was so he could bring his friends. They looked a little put out.
For me, the biggest change is the pretentious london style lost vagueness nonsense taking over the greenfields. I know lots of people like it, but I really, really wish it would move to a part of the site that already attracted people who want american diners, black tie balls and to talk loudly about the time they met banksy. Tried to wander to the tipi field for some of my usual late night chillage this year, but was told i couldn't go that way as there was a 2 hour queue to get into lost vagueness. The change in the stone circle too is so noticable, used to be packed with hash cake sellers, didn't see one single seller of anything all festival this year.
So, guess i will go back, but will try and find myself something to do there, some stall to volunteer on or something. Anyone got any good suggestions?
For me, the biggest change is the pretentious london style lost vagueness nonsense taking over the greenfields. I know lots of people like it, but I really, really wish it would move to a part of the site that already attracted people who want american diners, black tie balls and to talk loudly about the time they met banksy. Tried to wander to the tipi field for some of my usual late night chillage this year, but was told i couldn't go that way as there was a 2 hour queue to get into lost vagueness.
The change in the stone circle too is so noticable, used to be packed with hash cake sellers, didn't see one single seller of anything all festival this year. So, guess i will go back, but will try and find myself something to do there, some stall to volunteer on or something. Anyone got any good suggestions?
Personally I don't think Lost Vagueness will be back next year, or not except in radically altered form. From what I hear etc. No time for more at the moment.
I know LV wasn't your only point ... more later.
I know LV wasn't your only point ... more later.
