I am very sad to be the bearer of bad news.

[ivan]

Are they very likely to be sponsoring a tent in the old leftfield area?

[krisskross]

Are they very likely to be sponsoring a tent in the old leftfield area?

[krisskross]

No ! , and I would not want them to , nor do I think they would !

But lets face facts , Bacardi have been to Glastonbury before, and the festival was happy to accomodate them.

Personally I would love another Brothers Bar , I just hope their credentials are pure !!!

[TomfromStroud]

I like this part of the efestivals story

A spokesman for Glastonbury Festival exclusively tells us "Glastonbury Festival is constantly evolving. Although the Left Field area will not be happening next year in its current format, Glastonbury always likes to spring surprises, so at this point we can't confirm exactly what new element and areas will make up the 2009 Festival. We will be making announcements about new attractions in the new year."

[mr_bizarre]

I like this part of the efestivals story

Which, in non pr speak, translates as "We've got no f*cking idea what we're going to put in it's place. Possibly a massive tent with bands in and the occasional political speaker"

[Dave The Owl]

I was also at the Leftfield film last night and was merry but certainly not drunk! From the explanation given (and to be fair to Geoff Martin and the other speakers they were very careful not to be critical of Glastonbury, but were clearly disappointed as they wanted the stage to continue) it does boil down to money - my interpretation of what was said (and they were deliberately vague) was that whereas in the past Leftfield had been given the space for free Glastonbury was having to adopt a more commercial approach to avoid the risk of loss that looked likely in 2008 (but didn't materialise) and Leftfield couldn't afford this. I took that to mean they would have to pay for the stage rather than get it for free?

On a similar note it was also implied that Workers Beer Company may not be providing the bars, or at least as many bars next year?

As to the film - it was great and brought back many happy memories of what was a fabulous Leftfield line up this year. About an hour long and basically a chronological run through of the 4 days, interspersed with back stage footage and commentary about the causes they were supporting and how it had influenced the musicians performing. My only (slight!) criticism would be that it was virtually all clips of songs rather than whole performances. They said they expect it to be available on DVD early in the New Year.

Dave

[chuckley]

ive never been soooooo means nowt to moi.

anything in replacement?! or more camping space?!

[Alcatraz]

I was also at the Leftfield film last night and was merry but certainly not drunk! From the explanation given (and to be fair to Geoff Martin and the other speakers they were very careful not to be critical of Glastonbury, but were clearly disappointed as they wanted the stage to continue) it does boil down to money - my interpretation of what was said (and they were deliberately vague) was that whereas in the past Leftfield had been given the space for free Glastonbury was having to adopt a more commercial approach to avoid the risk of loss that looked likely in 2008 (but didn't materialise) and Leftfield couldn't afford this. I took that to mean they would have to pay for the stage rather than get it for free?

On a similar note it was also implied that Workers Beer Company may not be providing the bars, or at least as many bars next year?

As to the film - it was great and brought back many happy memories of what was a fabulous Leftfield line up this year. About an hour long and basically a chronological run through of the 4 days, interspersed with back stage footage and commentary about the causes they were supporting and how it had influenced the musicians performing. My only (slight!) criticism would be that it was virtually all clips of songs rather than whole performances. They said they expect it to be available on DVD early in the New Year.

Dave

[gemstarrr]

aw man, only really discovered it this year and now it's gone!

could never remember wherabouts it was but spent a nice morning/early afternoon there on the saturday, there were some really good bands on.

and i vaguely remember stumbling across a Clash covers band(i think) there in the early hours on monday morning this year. think it was actually the last band i saw there this year

[Joshuwarr]

I camped right next to it pretty much. It was awesome to hear the likes of Carnival Collective and The Levellers casually playing the background.

[parsonjack]

ive never been soooooo means nowt to moi.

anything in replacement?! or more camping space?!

[laid back in the sun]

i've heard its being replaced by a 'rightfield stage' run by the young conservatives, jim davidson will take the place of phil jupitus and boris johnston will take over from tony benn

[Joshuwarr]

i've heard its being replaced by a 'rightfield stage' run by the young conservatives, jim davidson will take the place of phil jupitus and boris johnston will take over from tony benn

[Alcatraz]

Theres gonna be a segment called "how many people can Boris Johnson offend in 60 seconds." I fear for the scouse minority at Glasto!

[dorlomin]

I dont know the ins and outs of this behind the scenes but it does seem to be more along the lines of the festival become more like a big pop concert than being part of a social movement. Glastonury was restarted in the 80s explicitly to support nuclear disarmament and the peace movement. It took pride of being a ceter for resistance to the right wing neoliberalism of the 80s and the abandonment of the whole concept of society and social responsibility.

I fear that whatever replaces the Leftfield will be a sanitized, toned down political stage\ tent. I await being impressed by the orginisers.

[dorlomin]

But if its money that's the problem then that means they are going to spend less money on its replacements. Unless they get very good value for money that means the festival is going to be losing out.

[dorlomin]

around this time last year news leaked out about Lost Vagueness no longer being at Glastonbury and lots of people posted that the festival was ruined, that it couldn't possibly be as good any more.

[ivan]

Shame !

My last two memories of the Leftfield will be

"The crush that was The Levellers "

"Sat outside on the Sunday evening as Mr Barat joined Billy Bragg on stage , or was it the other way round "

[incident]

But in the year or two leading up to that alot of people were saying that the Lost Vagueness was tired, overcrowded and out of new ideas.

[Alcatraz]

There goes my dream of one day seein Naom Chomsky at the Leftfield.

[Francis Biley]

hmmm....I'm sad...Steve Earle, SS Steve, Mr Bragg and last year (well this year...) King Blues and Pama International are all Glasto highlights for me....I don't mind progress but I hope that Glasto doesnt loose that left edge...

[staggerlee]

Edited December 7, 2008 by staggerlee

[hallamboy]

I am saddened by this news, as I feel important for the festival to have somewhere that politics can have a voice.

I dearly hope that this can act as a catalyst for a greater representation of the politics that makes this festival so great. I believe that not only a suitable replacement to the Leftfield is needed, but to have back speakers on the Pyramid stage to reach a greater audience.

So the Left Field, I'm sad to see you go. I hope your successor can bring the same positive message!

[mr_bizarre]

I fear what ever replaces it will be criticised to the ground waaaaaay before people have experienced what will be. My message is give it a chance before you become to crytical. The leftfield will grow stronger within itself.

[mr_bizarre]