Festival review by : Buck McGibbony

Glastonbury Festival 1999

Friday 25th to Sunday 27th June 1999
Worthy Farm, Pilton, nr Glastonbury, Somerset, England
£83

Being a Glasto Virgin, I was ready for anything that might await me at Glastonbury '99. All I can say about it is that I am a better human being after being in that "Sea Of Love" for three days.

Wandering around, sitting in the fields listening to music, made me think of something I heard at a peace rally once: "if your wondering who your broghter is, who your sister is, it is that person to your left, and that person to your right..." That was the reality of Glastonbury. Just about everytime I sat down and hung out for a while, I had a new friend... Absolutely the best.

I'll never forget the feeling of going to sleep to the sound of a dozen different drum circles pounding away into the night, voices rising up in unabated continous freedom. I slept deep and had ancient dreams. Then instantly waking up to hear a 5,000 voice crowd cheering some band somewhere, coaxing me to consciousness, urging me to get up and race into another day of joy and music and love. I was transported into that vibe where you just sort of smile and walk around. I had no money by the last day, but I couldn't have cared less. Even walking three miles on Monday to the shuttle pick-up point revealed yet another beautiful friend. God bless ya, Seamus, wherever you are, mate.

So I'm sitting here now, back in the same old office, (trying like hell to get back into "working") but things are different, I'm a little older, a little younger. And I know that heaven isn't out of reach, its right here in our hearts. Its just takes a weekend at Glastonbury to wake it up inside you. Everybody in the office looks at me like I'm wearing a tunic and sandals, I must still be smiling... I have touched the infinite soul of Gaia, and I have slept and walked among tens of thousands of groovey people who have shared with each other and been elevated by the collective consciousness of each and everyone who was there. That is the beauty, the mystery, and the soul of Glastonbury. Long may it be.

Peace, see ya next year!