It's not about the music

[Langdale Wolf]

I don't think people get it. Glastonbury wouldn't have this special atmosphere that everyone loves and bangs on about without the huge varity of quality music.

130000 it a field with nothing to do would be great for maybe a couple of days and then it would start getting very crap. The glasto spirit/atmos is all intertwined with the music and the people that attracts. It wouldn't work without the f**king music.

You can't buy a ticket just because of the atmosphere, as soon as everyone starts doing that the atmosphere becomes manufactured and artificial. The glasto spirit and atmosphere needs to grow organically from the music and art that is central to the festival.

So stop writing this kind of drivel. Its Utter crap

[Breeze]

"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?

[Ed209]

You say 'atmosphere' - try to explain the 'Glastonbury atmosphere' to someone who has never been. Most people think '50,000 people singing in unison to Hey Jude'. They'd be correct - I was there, it was truly, truly special. BUT - there are many sorts of Glastonbury atmosphere that are not simply music related, and - I believe this to be a good point so I'll put it in bold - many of these great moments happen before the Friday. The top of the stone circle when it's dark, spending time in the real ale bar, the collective cheer that goes around each and every camp site when people are setting up, hearing the roars when a lantern gets set off, etc, etc. Tons and tons of things to experience, ALL of which come into the huge melting pot called the Glastonbury atmosphere.

Yes - of course the music is important. But for the majority of the time, you're not stood in a field watching a band. You're living in this 'mini-city' for 5 days - 3 of those have music for 12-13 hours a day. That means plenty of other things to do/see/experience/take in for the remaining 11-12 hours of Friday to Sunday, and ALL DAY Wednesday and Thursday. You might even be able to sneak in some sleep if you're really desperate.

You said '130000 it a field with nothing to do' - come on mate, it ain't like that at all.

[Staberinde]

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!

[daveinafield]

some people have been suprised on this site when some years ive seen up to 45 acts during my time in one Glasto there saying i should wander/bimble/soak up etc which i do too, when our dear mr bizarre only saw one year but i believe we love the festie for the same reason. i have been on record sayiing id come if there were no bands on....well thats does not include acoustic troubadors, theatre and cabaret and solo artists...i prob should say advertised bands...its not JUST about the music but its also about pushing your kids around in a wheelbarrow and rolling down the hill up by the flags laughing your bottoms off

[pedmills]

so would that man on the BBC trailer "all you get from the top field is Boom Boom Boom"

[alframsey]

"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?

[grumpyhack]

Glasto is about leaving the 'real' world behind for the best part of a week, being with good people and meeting other interesting people. I always think of it as going through the back of the wardrobe in the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and entering another world.

Part of that world involves music but only a part.

[grumpyhack]

Are you calling the people who make these claims liars!

There are lots of people who say they enjoy the Wednesday and Thursday as much (some like it more) as when the music starts.

Last year on the last day, we decided not to see any bands, and had one of our best days at Glasto ever.

[Chimps in Balaclavas]

so would that man on the BBC trailer "all you get from the top field is Boom Boom Boom"

[nina3d]

Glasto is about leaving the 'real' world behind for the best part of a week, being with good people and meeting other interesting people. I always think of it as going through the back of the wardrobe in the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and entering another world.

Part of that world involves music but only a part.

[Staberinde]

I'll arrive on site, put up my new (Woolworths - boo hoo, I miss them) tent, then sit with a nice can of gold label and read my programme to see what's on.

[nina3d]

Pah! you actually read the programme ! part timer

[daveinafield]

i read it cover to cover with a drink in the sunshine on the unsullied grass - tradition - just before the tent goes up - or just after

[bombfrog]

Tent always has to go up first, just incase it rains!

[b26354]

"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?

[daveinafield]

have faith! dont say the 'r'word

[challengechappers]

isn't it good that people go to glastonbury for different reasons?

if we all wanted the same things from it, certain areas would be completely overrun !! (shangrila/lost vegas, comedy tent (eg: great later in the evening when the "bigger" music headliners are on). and if everyone only went for the non-music things it would be chaos. in a way, that's why i'm not that keen on the thursday night, certain areas are just too crowded!

so, don't look down on others for what they get out of the magic of glastonbury, the very fact that it takes all sorts and spreads people about is it's beauty.

for my part, i love the comedy tent, the poetry and small cabaret tents and all the music areas but only briefly touch on the green/healing fields or the stone circle. only been to shragrila/lost vegas once in the last 5 years!

Edited March 13, 2009 by challengechappers

[Un Adepte Des Raconteurs]

Completely agree bombfrog...some people think that Glasto can do no wrong.If the acts at it are sh*t the festival would be muck...the other one that annoys me is the weather issue i.e."doesnt matter what the weather is like,it'll be great anyway".Unfortunately the weather plays a massive part in how enjoyable the festival is..guess thats an issue for another thread...

[scaryclaireyfairy]

Glasto is about leaving the 'real' world behind for the best part of a week, being with good people and meeting other interesting people. I always think of it as going through the back of the wardrobe in the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and entering another world.

Part of that world involves music but only a part.

[webstl]

sorry if some one has said this before. I think the bands matter, but nowhere near as much as they do at Reading/leeds or V.

Id never again buy tickets blind for either of those any more and Ive been to them both plenty.

The only two festivals I would are Glastonbury and Summer Sundea ( and summer sundea is only cuz its just up the road from my house)

Having said that Ive money was no object Id spend every weekend i a field listening to loud music!

Edited March 13, 2009 by webstl