It's not about the music

[bombfrog]

"If you don't like the line-up and you're only going for the music then you may just as well go to V Festiva or Readingl. I wouldn't care if there wasn't any music as there's loads of other stuff to do. I hardly ever see any bands anyway".........

I read something like this at least once a day on these 'ere forums and I'm getting a bit sick of it to be honest. It's complete bullshit.

Yes, there are loads of other exciting things to do on site and I've enjoyed many of them over the years but, honestly, how many tickets do you think they'd sell if they scrapped the music?

[sungubala]

Glastonbury is not just about the music. But you're right, scrapping the music would make it a rather less exciting weekend!

But no-ones suggesting that. All they are saying from what I've read is that people shouldn't get so concerned about whether they like the headliners or not. There are over 1000 acts at Glastonbury, and whilst the headliners are playing there is so much more you could be doing...not neccesarily seeing bands, although there are numerous great acts (and pretty well known ones) on at the same time as the headliners.

[pedmills]

The music is important, but to me it isn't important who specifically plays on a particular year, the general lineup spread over all the stages is going to be pretty much the same each year (different bands, but the same kinds of bands). So the music is important, because it does take up a lot of time whilst you are there. BUT I don't really care who plays. If somebody I like is rumoured I'm happy, but I'm not bothered if nobody is. I can be safe in the knowledge that there is going to be plenty of music I like there, even if I haven't discovered it yet.

When the lineup comes out or the headliners are released, you get the inevitable "Oh its shit! I was hoping The Killers would play not f**king Neil Young! I'm selling my ticket" or "The Killers!?!? Headlining!?!?! But they are crap!". But its such an overreaction that dies down eventually. I bet that every single person will be able to find at least 20 bands they like when the lineup is released.

I think the main problem is that people who are used to reading & V etc are used to having so much emphasis on the headliners, and also expecting all the best acts to be on the main stage. Glastonbury is different, it has acts on the main stage that other festivals wouldn't and big acts in small tents, and an enormous amount of entertainment on offer. If the lineup is not to your tastes at other festivals than you might not have a good time, but Glasto different, so even if you aren't happy with the lineup, you'll still have an amazing time.

Edited March 9, 2009 by pedmills

[YouWhat]

For me its just the music i am going for,if i spend £175 on a ticket i expect good music,i don't expect to like all of it,and watch what i want to. The rest of what goes on is ok,and i do aim to have a good time,i don't do the odd fringe stuff as it does not interest me at all,as long as the music is good, and i know it will be i shall be happy... and before i get replys telling me to try the fringe areas, in my past years and there have been many!!! i have done it all, and still go back to the music

[Ed209]

Glastonbury has a mandate to book the best acts in the world. It's what is demanded of "the world's largest performing arts festival" . Yes, Glasto is more than about the music, but it is at the very core of what makes Glastonbury tick, if it failed to attract the world's greatest acts, the whole of the festival, including the glasto spirit would die.

EDIT:

Clarification needed

IT IS ABOUT THE f**kING MUSIC!!

Edited March 9, 2009 by Ed209

[laid back in the sun]

'glastonbury isnt just about the music, theres so much more to do' blah blah etc is the most overly used phrase in this forum appearing in practically every thread and used to justify/argue against almost everything... and yes it does get irritating! its time for a new catchphrase! im in favour of 'f**k off to reading/leeds then' as a replacement

[outdoorman24]

You've gotta love chillin in the healing field! We always try and do a bit of everything - the music is an important part though.

But as the name suggests 'Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts' covers a lot of things and I think that is what makes the whole Glasto experiance.

[krisskross]

never made it to the healing field. Does sound like a good place to chill after a heavy night at glasto

[sh4rpie]

I'd still go without all the bands!...but they'd have to make the tickets cheaper

although, there would always be music being made - stone circle drumming, hare krishna's singing, digeridoos playing...and you off your tits singing along!

[jamiejc]

Nothing quite like sitting at the stones and taking it all in!!!! really!

[hugohughes]

I'd never been 2 any festival other than Glastonbury up untill a few years ago when I gave Reading a go. Music was the main reason I went 2 festivals and the music was awesome but everything surrounding it was shit. The Glasto atmosphere was something I'd gotten used 2 and without it the festival sucked! My epiphany, its not all about the music!

[Kyelo]

Glastonbury wouldn't exist without the music, it would just be another farm.

[sifi]

Yes, there are loads of other exciting things to do on site and I've enjoyed many of them over the years but, honestly, how many tickets do you think they'd sell if they scrapped the music?

[glasto_mongrel_2008]

Very few. It would be like a county fair or something.

However, the disctintion that I'd like to make is that my attendence - in fact most people's attendence - isn't driven by who is playing. People will go knowing that there will be some music for them, but they don't know what it is - hence why so many tickets move without an announcement about the line-up.

So therefore it isn't about specific musicians.

[challengechappers]

for me, glastonbury is definitely about "the "performing arts" as it says on the tin, of which music is only a part.

however, much as i love glastonbury for all it's other things, i cannot afford to go EVERY year, so the rumoured lineup (thanks to efestivals) tends to dictate which ones i go to.

so, yes, the lineup is important (hence reason it struggled to sell out last year)

[Petewasbristol]

Very few. It would be like a county fair or something.

However, the disctintion that I'd like to make is that my attendence - in fact most people's attendence - isn't driven by who is playing. People will go knowing that there will be some music for them, but they don't know what it is - hence why so many tickets move without an announcement about the line-up.

So therefore it isn't about specific musicians.

[sifi]

so, yes, the lineup is important (hence reason it struggled to sell out last year)

[Tugger2k]

I think that was partly the reason it struggled to sell out last year. From my circle of friends, I'd say that also a huge part of the reason was that people were a bit fed up with shite weather every year.

A bit of sunshine, and the crowds come streaming back.

[Ed209]

I'd still go without all the bands!...but they'd have to make the tickets cheaper

although, there would always be music being made - stone circle drumming, hare krishna's singing, digeridoos playing...and you off your tits singing along!

[LostRiot]

For me its simple, its completely about the music, I don't go to craft fayres or to druid meets (do these exist?) but I do go to glasto purely because the music.

However, where glasto wins and other festivals lose is that they don't have the music at the expense of everything else and they don't just flick through the front page of nme and book a whole string of acts.

Basically, its always awesome the music is always better than basically anywhere else, and combined with the atmosphere you know is always going to blow you away.

I love it when they book headliners I love (Blur!) but this year its a bit annoying because i kinda want to see all 3, meaning there is going to be some clashes.

[Katster]

I agree with Sifi. I like the fact that at Glastonbury I go to see bands I would never ever dream of buying gig tickets for. The music in general is important but it doesn't matter who plays as long as there's a good mix.

[mr_bizarre]

"If you don't like the line-up and you're only going for the music then you may just as well go to V Festiva or Readingl. I wouldn't care if there wasn't any music as there's loads of other stuff to do. I hardly ever see any bands anyway".........

I read something like this at least once a day on these 'ere forums and I'm getting a bit sick of it to be honest. It's complete bullshit.

Yes, there are loads of other exciting things to do on site and I've enjoyed many of them over the years but, honestly, how many tickets do you think they'd sell if they scrapped the music?

[Katster]

You're a moron! Simple as! The music is great at Glastonbury and you're taking it all out of context! That said, I only saw one band at Glastonbury 2008 (Manu Chao on the Jazz World Stage if you cared) There are lots of things to do at Glastonbury, music is some of it but we all know that great bands will play, however , this isn't the peoples main priority, if it were then how comes it has sold out way before any bands have been confirmed huh!

[bombfrog]

You're a moron! Simple as! The music is great at Glastonbury and you're taking it all out of context! That said, I only saw one band at Glastonbury 2008 (Manu Chao on the Jazz World Stage if you cared) There are lots of things to do at Glastonbury, music is some of it but we all know that great bands will play, however , this isn't the peoples main priority, if it were then how comes it has sold out way before any bands have been confirmed huh!

[Chazeboy]

Glastonbury wouldn't exist without the music, it would just be another farm.