Festival review by : David

Glastonbury Festival 2000

Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June 2000
Worthy Farm, Pilton, nr Glastonbury, Somerset, England
£89 including booking fee and postage

Daily capacity: 80,000

I was a Glasto virgin in '99 and had my wallet and jeans pinched after REM's blinding show on the Friday night. That blighted what was otherwise an excellent weekend. This year I was a bit more careful and slept with my valuables every night.

And this was the best weekend I can remember. I arrived at the site on Thursday at about 2.30 with massive dark clouds looming on the horizon. Within two minutes of putting the tents up (between the Other stage and the Dance tent) and getting some wine, the heavens opened. We stayed in the tent. It stopped raining. We were dry all weekend! Hurrah! After a very large Thursday night in the Smirnoff tent, the real deal began on Friday. Me and my pals stayed lazy in the afternoons - all I saw was The Bluetones and Cypress Hill, both of whom kicked things off superbly. Then after a little siesta we went out for the Chemical Brothers. It was a bangin' set but hardly got you involved. Good to dance to but strangely impersonal.

Saturday was a different kettle of fish. We were feeling a bit pasty after Friday's exertions but motivated ourselves to get to Asian Dub Foundation. I'd never really heard them before but my younger brother persuaded me they were worth a look. He was right. We were planning to chill out and listen and it just didn't happen. We were down the front, largin' it like loonies! Awesome live band. We were just waiting for Death in Vegas and Leftfield really though. Both were amazing, especially Leftfield who truly have the best sound system in the world ever. A great, great night.

Sunday was a bit slower - obviously. A brief look at Herbaliser in the Dance tent followed by the top-notch double-header of Embrace and Bowie. A fantastic way to end a great weekend. Me and my 3 buddies will be back every year from now on.

I do have one small suggestion - which is probably not really in keeping with the festival but here goes:
Ban scousers. The only grief I got or witnessed came from our Mersey mates.
It seemed like the only thing on their agenda was crime and misery.
Hopefully if security is tightened next year, we will see less crime on-site which can only be a good thing.

Great weekend all the same.
Thanks to all involved and Mr. Eavis, you are indeed the man!

Review submitted by
David