What a rubbish line-up so far

[theleedslads]

To be honest the majority confirmed so far dont really do it for me, and yeah i would be more suited to the bands at festivals like Leeds/Reading/Global/Download.

The trouble before my 1st glasto in 2005, i had been to every Leeds festival and didnt really know any better had a great time and enjoyed some quality bands. In 2005 however i went to Glastonbury and was blown away by the atmosphere, size and freedom of the place and rockier / dancier bands didnt seem to matter as much, i went back to Leeds Festival after the Glastonbury in 2005 and found myself just wandering around feeling sorry for the people who though Leeds Festival was as good as it got, i endured my 8th Leeds festival of last night rioting and thought, f**k it, this isnt for me and havent been back since.

Enjoyed T In The Park & Global gathering since, but i still cant halp comparing it to Glasto!

[godders1966]

To be honest the majority confirmed so far dont really do it for me, and yeah i would be more suited to the bands at festivals like Leeds/Reading/Global/Download.

The trouble before my 1st glasto in 2005, i had been to every Leeds festival and didnt really know any better had a great time and enjoyed some quality bands. In 2005 however i went to Glastonbury and was blown away by the atmosphere, size and freedom of the place and rockier / dancier bands didnt seem to matter as much, i went back to Leeds Festival after the Glastonbury in 2005 and found myself just wandering around feeling sorry for the people who though Leeds Festival was as good as it got, i endured my 8th Leeds festival of last night rioting and thought, f**k it, this isnt for me and havent been back since.

Enjoyed T In The Park & Global gathering since, but i still cant halp comparing it to Glasto!

[serginhowardinho]

There is a very good reason why this is happening and the trend was spotted first by David Bowie back in 2002. This is what he said:

"The absolute transformation of everything that we ever thought about music will take place within ten years, and nothing is going to be able to stop it. I see absolutely no point in pretending that it's not going to happen. I'm fully confident that copyright, for instance, will no longer exist in ten years, and authorship and intellectual property is in for such a bashing. Music itself is going to become like running water or electricity. [...] So it's like, just take advantage of these last few years because none of this is ever going to happen again. You'd better be prepared for doing a lot of touring because that's really the only unique situation that's going to be left. It's terribly exciting. But on the other hand it doesn't matter if you think it's exciting or not; it's what's going to happen" (June 9, 2002)

[Tugger2k]

I think there's an interesting point to be made here about a couple of bands who seem to engender a really warm and loyal following from the eFestivals community: Doves and Elbow.

Both of these are bands who have stuck to their guns producing music on their terms and without 'selling out'. Elbow have only recently hit the big time (after earlier being dropped by their label) and Kingdom of Rust looks like it might launch Doves into the same realm.

Festivals are just as guilty of falling into this trap - witness the lamentable Black Kids performance at Glastonbury last year. Prior to releasing a record they were boring the arse off everyone on the Other Stage before disappearing back where they came from once the hype-bubble was burst.

[eFestivals]

There are still another 3 years to go before the 10 year period referred to by Bowie is up but the fact that so many big names have been forced back onto the road suggests that he knew what he was talking about.

one bit he got totally wrong tho was regarding copyright & IP rights - things there are getting tighter, and not loser.

And the reason why copyright will eventually go - if it goes - won't be down to an inability to be able to properly police it and collect the money owed, but due to the fact that it's simply a financially unsustainable idea for the world. It's simply not right that a person can do perhaps as little as an hours work and be able to live off that hour's work for the rest of their life.

[amfy]

Godders!

I am sorry you have received such an abusive response from certain sections of the site as I appreciate that this may not have helped to change your mind.

However - the first line of your post asks "Is it just me?"....and this is where my problem starts. Several people on this thread have stated that it is just you but that isn't true. My problem with your thread is the opposite - it isn't just you. Every second day someone appears on this site threatening to cancel their ticket or suchlike because they don't like the line up so far. In fact one such thread "Come on Glastonbury - You can do better than that" is still on the front page. (as I begin typing)

So a small piece of research would have answered your original question, and maybe you just could've added your tuppnceworth to that thread instead of starting a new one.

Ove the past weeks we have on many occasions patiently persuaded people that the line up wil still be added to, and they will be happy with it by the time they're in that field at the end of June. However, every one here has done that loads of times now and I think have got a bit fed up - I think that is how people get to the "Oh just f**k off!" point in the debate.

I hope this doesn't come over as more abuse because it is meant more by way of some explanation of how you ended up getting the response you did.

Now - most of the line up is yet to be announced. Every year the line up looks better when it actually happens than it ever did on paper anyway. Glastonbury is different to other festivals bacause there is lots of other stuff to do ansd see. People are lovely and friendly despite the impression you may have gained here.

Personally I am not excited about Neil Young or Bruce Springstein but can see that quite alot of other people are. I am excited about Blur because I was all Glastonburied out and collapsed and missed them in 98! Nothing else much so far is doing anything for me but I know I'll have a great time - and not just doing other stuff - there will be music I love at least several times a day, all the time I am there.

I would suggest that as you have a ticket you give it a go and if you don't like it, don't do it again. (I think you will like it though) On the other hand, if you remain convinced that you will have a better time with the surefire line up you are seeing elsewhere then it is not compulsory that you go to Glastonbury and I may be wrong that you'd like it and I hope you have a good time wherever you go.

Please could one of the mods sticky a Glastonbury is rubbish debate so we don't have to keep having new ones or - just really quickly merge any new ones so that we don't keep getting this - it's depressing! It's depressing to read people moaning about the line up again and again, and even more depressing to see normally reasonable people turn into a howling mob!

[serginhowardinho]

couple of points.

lets deal with the glaringly obvious one 1st. i fail to see how you can mention the black kids, while glossing over or missing entirely the fratelli's/kooks spots of 08/07

and theres no might about the 2nd one, Doves will be massive this year.

but yes, i agree!!

[Tugger2k]

I would suggest that as you have a ticket you give it a go and if you don't like it, don't do it again. (I think you will like it though) On the other hand, if you remain convinced that you will have a better time with the surefire line up you are seeing elsewhere then it is not compulsory that you go to Glastonbury and I may be wrong that you'd like it and I hope you have a good time wherever you go.

[marktea]

Please could one of the mods sticky a Glastonbury is rubbish debate so we don't have to keep having new ones or - just really quickly merge any new ones so that we don't keep getting this - it's depressing! It's depressing to read people moaning about the line up again and again, and even more depressing to see normally reasonable people turn into a howling mob!

[eFestivals]

Unfortunately there seem to be less and less bands who are allowed to make music and achieve 'fame' in these terms.

I don't think it's anything about bands being "allowed" to do stuff or not, I think it's about bands WANTING to do things on their own terms. I think it's the case that too many bands nowadays are only interested in mainstream commercial success.

Of the bands that were breaking thru (say) five years ago, how many are still around? The majority saw themselves hit what was clearly a peak in standard commercial terms, and then start to head downwards again - at which point they gave up. There's only a few of the bands that happened to still around, now playing the more off-the-radar fests rather than the big places such as V, Reading, etc.

The likes of (as a example) John Otway has shown how it's done if you want a lifetime career in music rather than just short-term commercial success - you have to work, and work, and work, and work, and be prepared and not embarrassed to play to one man and his dog if that's all that turns up. It *CAN* be done, but you've got to want to do it!!

[sifi]

Arthur Lee was awesome that year.

[Icewulf]

If you buy a ticket early you clearly aren't going just for the music.

So why are you moaning now the half dozen OFFICIALLY confirmed artists aren't to your liking?

My advice in future, if you want to see NME generation bands, forget Glastonbury and go to Reading next year instead. OR, just shut the f**k up...

[denwyn]

If there's one post in this thread worth listening to, it's that. (I suspect the OP has by now run away or switched off, but let's try).

Denwyn did indeed slate the line up last year. And got totally pasted for saying it. In some ways it's understandable. If you've never been, it's very easy to assume it's alot of gigs in some fields. And it's bloody Glastonbury man - king of the world - so they'll have ALL the bands right?

Then you look at the lineup, and although it's generally pretty good, and unbeatable in depth, you don't see every star band you want to see.

But then you go. And then you *know*.

Good on you Denwyn. You accidentally invited a load of abuse last year, but coming back and saying "ok, now I get it" ... respect.

[marktea]

one bit he got totally wrong tho was regarding copyright & IP rights - things there are getting tighter, and not loser.

And the reason why copyright will eventually go - if it goes - won't be down to an inability to be able to properly police it and collect the money owed, but due to the fact that it's simply a financially unsustainable idea for the world. It's simply not right that a person can do perhaps as little as an hours work and be able to live off that hour's work for the rest of their life.

[eFestivals]

Very true. Even if copyright survives and the enforcement gets ever tighter, if the revenue it produces is drastically cut then we willl still get essentially the same effect as if it had been abolished.

yup - but it's looking as tho the push is for increases in royalty payments (along with an increase in the time-frame) and not the other way around. That's certainly what artists are currently pushing for anyhow.

[godders1966]

Godders!

I am sorry you have received such an abusive response from certain sections of the site as I appreciate that this may not have helped to change your mind.

However - the first line of your post asks "Is it just me?"....and this is where my problem starts. Several people on this thread have stated that it is just you but that isn't true. My problem with your thread is the opposite - it isn't just you. Every second day someone appears on this site threatening to cancel their ticket or suchlike because they don't like the line up so far. In fact one such thread "Come on Glastonbury - You can do better than that" is still on the front page. (as I begin typing)

So a small piece of research would have answered your original question, and maybe you just could've added your tuppnceworth to that thread instead of starting a new one.

Ove the past weeks we have on many occasions patiently persuaded people that the line up wil still be added to, and they will be happy with it by the time they're in that field at the end of June. However, every one here has done that loads of times now and I think have got a bit fed up - I think that is how people get to the "Oh just f**k off!" point in the debate.

I hope this doesn't come over as more abuse because it is meant more by way of some explanation of how you ended up getting the response you did.

Now - most of the line up is yet to be announced. Every year the line up looks better when it actually happens than it ever did on paper anyway. Glastonbury is different to other festivals bacause there is lots of other stuff to do ansd see. People are lovely and friendly despite the impression you may have gained here.

Personally I am not excited about Neil Young or Bruce Springstein but can see that quite alot of other people are. I am excited about Blur because I was all Glastonburied out and collapsed and missed them in 98! Nothing else much so far is doing anything for me but I know I'll have a great time - and not just doing other stuff - there will be music I love at least several times a day, all the time I am there.

I would suggest that as you have a ticket you give it a go and if you don't like it, don't do it again. (I think you will like it though) On the other hand, if you remain convinced that you will have a better time with the surefire line up you are seeing elsewhere then it is not compulsory that you go to Glastonbury and I may be wrong that you'd like it and I hope you have a good time wherever you go.

Please could one of the mods sticky a Glastonbury is rubbish debate so we don't have to keep having new ones or - just really quickly merge any new ones so that we don't keep getting this - it's depressing! It's depressing to read people moaning about the line up again and again, and even more depressing to see normally reasonable people turn into a howling mob!

[Arriente]

Every year we go through this. If you want to cancel your ticket then cancel it. Surely the opinions of individuals on here who don't know you are not going to influence you one way or the other.

You evidently are not the only one who feels this way, but no matter how you feel about the line up you will have an amazing time as long as you arrive with the intenton of having one. I know it keeps being said, but the line up is just one arm of the glasto octopus there is so so so much more to do & see.

I think the line up is ok at the moment, but I was hoping for headliners like Neil Young & Springsteen as it gives me perfect reason to avoid the Pyramid stage at headliner time & see other acts.

I feel a sense of deja vu - I am sure I have left a roughly similar post on these boards every year since I joined.

Go & enjoy it . . and if a stronger younger NME line up is what you are after go to Reading as well, but don't blow Glasto out just because of the line up.

[Arriente]

Thanks for your reply. Fair points and well made.

I now realise I could have phrased my original posting better and I should have looked for similar threads before I started.

I am now coming round to the Glasto idea. I was obviously looking at it from purely the line-up point of view and not considering the whole vibe thing.

Thanks for your input.

[Chazeboy]

Every year we go through this. If you want to cancel your ticket then cancel it. Surely the opinions of individuals on here who don't know you are not going to influence you one way or the other.

You evidently are not the only one who feels this way, but no matter how you feel about the line up you will have an amazing time as long as you arrive with the intenton of having one. I know it keeps being said, but the line up is just one arm of the glasto octopus there is so so so much more to do & see.

I feel a sense of deja vu - I am sure I have left a roughly similar post on these boards every year since I joined.

[amfy]

Thanks for your reply. Fair points and well made.

I now realise I could have phrased my original posting better and I should have looked for similar threads before I started.

I am now coming round to the Glasto idea. I was obviously looking at it from purely the line-up point of view and not considering the whole vibe thing.

Thanks for your input.

[beamends]

Oh don't tease - tell us who they are?

[godders1966]

You're welcome......and the line up will be fine by the time you get there too I bet!

[Tugger2k]

It's nice to see after all the initial negativity from some people (including me!), this thread is getting more positive.

I just need to convince my mate who I'm going with that we need to hang on for a bit longer before throwing in the towel.

The latest you can cancel your tickets is early May. Is the full line up out by then?

[sifi]

The latest you can cancel your tickets is early May. Is the full line up out by then?

[William of Walworth]

Is it just me or is anyone else considering cancelling Glasto this year?

The rumoured line-up is very disappointing, in my opinion. There is not one act (apart from Blur probably) that I would pay money to go and see in their own right.

Didn’t Mr Eavis say a couple of years ago he wanted to attract younger visitors to his festival? I’m no spring chicken myself but acts like Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Springsteen, Fairport Convention, Crosby Stills Nash, and Tom Jones etc aren’t going to help at all. They actually make me feel young.

I think the final nail in the coffin was when I read that Des O’Connor was rumoured to be there. Give me strength!

Things better improve soon or I’ll be cashing in my ticket for the Leeds or V Festival.

Anyone else considering cancelling or is it just me??

Edited March 27, 2009 by William of Walworth