Anyone been to Glastonbury and V Festival?

[godders1966]

Hi.

This might sound like a daft question for a message on the V Fest board but please read on.

I've been to the V Fest, on and off, for most years since the first one in 1996. Mostly because the sort of bands they put on is excatly my taste in music. I've really enjoyed them and never felt any need to go to other festivals.

This year however I've booked up for Glasto, for a change. At Glasto you have to buy your tickets before you know the line-up. And this seems to be the problem. The line-up released so far is not to my taste and I wondered if I should sell my ticket and go to the V Fest again instead.

So I posted a comment on the Glastonbury Message Board saying I was dissapointed with the line-up and was considering selling my ticket. Most of the 100 or so replies were just abusive, telling me to fcuk off then! But alot of people were also saying it's not just the bands it's the whole festival experience.

Being on their message board they were obviously very biased and protective of their precious festival and won't have a bad word said about it.

So I was wondering if anyone who has been to both festivals can really say that Glasto is so much more better and the quality of the bands is not so important.

Any comments or experiences please (but no abuse this time please!)

Thanks

[TheNewUnion]

I've been to both and can categorically state that there is no comparison at all. Glastonbury has so much more to offer than V Festival. Start with the fact you are on site for 5 days (6 if you hang round all day Monday), move on to the fact that Glastonbury is many many times bigger and offers more variety that you could imagine then work up from there.

As for the whole "being about much more than the music" I have to say that Glastonbury really is more than just the music. Last year I was sat up at "Flagtopia" with wine in hand watching the Glastonbury world go by, I said to my girlfriend, I could go home now and be happy, that was the Thursday afternoon.

I really meant it too, it had been a wonderful two days, I had more of a laugh, spoken to more people, eaten better, drank more and smiled more in a day and a half (without there actually being any bands on the main stages) than I did at the last two V Festivals.

As for the music, outside the obvious pop acts, Glastonbury offers everything V does and more. There's a whole dance Village, there's dozens of stages offering everything from superstar rappers to Tony Benn, Seasick Steve acoustic to ShloMo and the vocal orchestra.

All of this is not so say that I don't enjoy V, I do. I have booked for this year even though I'm far from thrilled with the line-up announced so far - reason being I know it'll be a great laugh and I'll get to see loads of bands without having to train for the walk between stages for months in advance of the fest!

Seriously, go to Glastonbury, it'll change your life (perhaps not your life but certaily your view on what a festival is all about)

[Spiky Mike]

Have been to both loads of times. Glasto is a million times better in every respect. Have been to Glasto a couple of times when there was not a single band on I was overly interested in and it still knocked spots off every other festival.

[godders1966]

Thanks to both of you for your comments.

You've convinced me NOT to sell my Glasto ticket now!

Cheers.

[Brizzle]

glastonbury is a festival that has managed to hold onto its roots, (which is an amaxing feat considering the size)

you will stumble across so many bands and djs that you will absolutley love but have never heard of and will never hear again. the atmospheare is second to none. go!

[staffsknot]

Glasto is massive, sometimes that can seem overwhelming but it is a million miles away from most other festivals in that there is always something going on. You may not get to see it but you could not watch any of the bands and still have an amazing time just seeing all the alternative and comedy events. Also it tends to draw less of the chavs and is really laid back with so much variety its like booking a load of concerts one after the other with a coffee break in the mornings.

When I went we had a group of Germans come and chat with us until dawn because they couldn't find their tents, completely random but great sitting around talking English and German and sharing a few laughs with complete strangers.

You have to do Glastonbury at least once in your life or you will regret it so don't sell your ticket.

[davelucs]

what helps with the atmosphere at glasto is that there is no "arena". all stages, bars,toilets,food and camping are inside the one fence.

[Kyelo]

what helps with the atmosphere at glasto is that there is no "arena". all stages, bars,toilets,food and camping are inside the one fence.

[Spuddy]

Hi Godders,

I was one of the people who responded to you in the other thread - hopefully you didn't find my response abusive

I have been to the last 3 V Festivals and the last 2 Glastonburys and people are correct when they say there is a big difference. Glastonbury is really not about the headliners as there's so much to see and do apart from what's playing at the main stages - I was secretly hoping that the line-up would be average this year so I could spend more time exploring parts of Glastonbury that I've not seen up to now - it really is that big! Here's a photo that shows the size of it where you can clearly see the fence - once you are through that, you are in, no more checking of wristbands, searches for glass etc.

To me, V Festival is more about spending a couple of days watching bands you like in a field - if the music isn't good, there's not much of interest. Also, V Festival is very regimented - the Arena opens at a set time, has all sorts of restrictions about what you can and can't take in (alcohol etc), closes at a set time, and then there's little to see and do. Glastonbury has no such restrictions - there's no separate arena and when the main stages close there's loads of other stuff going on - scheduled performances until 4 a.m. I think, then there's other stuff going on until 6 a.m or so. For many people, Glastonbury doesn't really get going until the main stages close at 11 p.m.

Glastonbury is not for everyone and some people can find the scale of it a bit daunting, but if you do decide to go you will see why many regulars don't place that much emphasis on who is headlining the main stages.

[beamo]

Glastonbury wins every time for me, having said that wife prefers V as the whole 5 day thing is too long for her, especially when the weather is bad. Personally i enjoy them both for different reasons. At V ,seem to spend more time around the tent socialising when the arena is closed but because Glasto is a bigger event with much more going on,we rarely spend any time in the camping area { this is also due to the fact we camp at one end of the site mind you } Forget the lineup, enjoy doing something different, see different music and whatever you do DONT sell that ticket !!

[Chocscoffer]

Having also been to both I agree with everything everybody has already said. Glastonbury cannot be compared to V at all

V is a gig in a field, nothing more else there whatsoever. You have to go back to your campsite after the bands have finished, you have to go past security when you want to get into the "arena", oh and you can't take your own booze freely you have to sneek it in like some little school kid sneeking a drink behind the bike sheds! Oh and the whole bar tickets thing is absolutely shit. You have to queue up for a ticket (singularly or block buy) and then queue up again at the bars for a drink. It's like being a bootcamp compared to Glastonbury

To try and describe Glastonbury's superiority is too big a list and would take too long! So, i'll list a few things that Glastonbury beats V over hands down:

* No bar tokens, all the bars take cash

* You get your programme given to you at the ticket exchange (included in the ticket price), this includes the neck guide with the running times. If you lose the neck guide then go to an Info point where you get them free, along with toilet paper, sun tan lotion, helpful staff, recycling bags, bin bags and other litle bits and bobs (a donation is always welcome though, charity plays a very big role in the festival). There are all around the site.

* It has it's own newspaper. The Glastonbury Daily is available onsite from Friday morning and has news a photos directly from the previous day at the festival and that days artists features. Again, this is available freely from the Info Points.

* It has it's own radio station (Worthy FM) that you can tune into whilst chilling at your tent.

* The diversity of the people that attend is huge. The amount of dickheads and arsehole behaviour is minimal. Everybody I have met (this includes randoms!) have been friendly and happy. If you spoke to a complete random at V people would think you are mad or a saddo! People seem to leave that sort of behaviour at the gate thankfully.

* Glastonbury gives you a chance to go and see some music that you probably wouldn't go to in real life.

* The different things to do at Glastonbury (other than watch music) vary. As an example my favourite place is the healing field. I always spend one afternoon there. You can get all sorts of holistic treatments and things like massages, learn yoga, pilates, tai chi; astrology, your palm read, tarot cards, accupressure etc. The osteopath I saw there last year cured a 15 year old sports injury, i'll be paying him a visit again! All of these require a donation (the massages are normally a tenner) and they are well worth a visit, even just to chill out!

Any of the above at V

As for your worry about the lack of quality in the line-up (which by the way is over 1000 acts when it finally gets released) in your other thread I can pretty much guarantee that the majority of the acts that play V festival will be at Glastonbury. Thankfully the 2 V headliners won't be!

I know that at V, once you get the line-up you sit round and plan your days viewing. This will be very difficult to do at Glastonbury. The site is too big with too much going on and I can guarantee you won't want to spend all day every day watching bands. Pick about half a dozen must sees and then see what else you come across.

You'll be back on these forums after the festival saying you have had the time of your life and realising how wrong you were to worry about the line-up. I'll guarantee it

[BIG question @ Glasto]

I cant agree more with all of the positive comments already made.

In my opinion Glastonbury is a life changing experience and I say that with no hint of a cliche'.

V is great fun and I have completely enjoyed my time there, but it really is all about being with mates and being at a big gig in a field.

Glastonbury is the Daddy of all Festivals with very good reason, but i'm afraid you will have to take a leap of faith to understand it, nobody will be able to sucessfully convey the experience of the festival to you, especially not the BBC coverage!

Be brave and do something that could change your outlook on life!

[TheNewUnion]

Be brave and do something that could change your outlook on life!

[tazzyb]

As its has already been said 'V is a gig in a field'. Its how I look at it to. I spent hours and hours trying to explain to my boyfriend why Glastonbury was so good. He has always been put off by how far away it is. we live in Newcastle. Any way last year he came and when we were leaving he asked me why I wasted my time going to other festivals. It really is that different.

For me V is all about the line up. Without it what is the point. Glastonbury while I like it if there are a few bands on I like I still go when the line up is poor in my opinion. This year Neil and Bruce??? not for me at all. However, they way I am looking at it is thats hardly any of the line up at all. You will realise how massive it is when you get your programme its mind boggling. Plus there really is that much other stuff going on I know I would be happy no matter what.

The other stage line up has not be announced yet I am thinking its going to be younger to compensate for the older acts on the pryamid.

[BIG question @ Glasto]

You've got it bang on - Glastonbury changed my outlook on life!

[pehaw]

Glastonbury is the Daddy of all Festivals with very good reason, but i'm afraid you will have to take a leap of faith to understand it, nobody will be able to sucessfully convey the experience of the festival to you, especially not the BBC coverage!

[BIG question @ Glasto]

but maybe watch the Julien Temple Glastonbury film for a flavour...

[Kyelo]

He has always been put off by how far away it is. we live in Newcastle

[Yokel Again]

I would be very very suprised if anyone (or atleast a very small minority) who have been to both festivals would say they prefer V.

[let's 'ave it!!!]

:-( i wish i was goin glasto now!!!!

[thetime]

last year saw about 5 bands and lost myself int he wonder of glastonbury festival, could you imaging going to v and loosing urself in the wonder of v?

[Benj]

last year saw about 5 bands and lost myself int he wonder of glastonbury festival, could you imaging going to v and loosing urself in the wonder of v?

[midnight_toker]

I'll just add to all of the other comments - Glasto is far far superior than V. I will never go to V again, even if my absolute favourite band was playing there, but I hope to be going to Glasto for the rest of my days!

However, the real reason for my post is to point out that you can't sell your ticket, so you'll just have to go!! Your ticket will have your name and photo printed on it as as such cannot be sold.

Go! Enjoy! Come back wondering why you never went before and why you bothered going to V in the first place!!

[pehaw]

I'll just add to all of the other comments - Glasto is far far superior than V. I will never go to V again, even if my absolute favourite band was playing there, but I hope to be going to Glasto for the rest of my days!

However, the real reason for my post is to point out that you can't sell your ticket, so you'll just have to go!! Your ticket will have your name and photo printed on it as as such cannot be sold.

Go! Enjoy! Come back wondering why you never went before and why you bothered going to V in the first place!!

[thetime]

lets not knock v though its a good "festival", I like to call it a festival for non festival goers!

people will go depending on the lineup, like others have said its a gig in a field, but in that case all the biggest festivals in this country are liek that apart from glastonbury.

Edited March 30, 2009 by thetime