Where do you like to be?

[PCP]

Where do you like to be at gigs generally? Are you crushed at the barrier, singing every word back to the band? Or would you rather be a little more sedate and stand near the back, arms folded, nodding appreciatively?

I guess for most it depends on the band - for the Boss I want to try and get near the front (although I think 40,000 other people will have the same plan!) but for others, like Jay Z last year and maybe Fleet Foxes this year, I fancy standing a bit further back and taking it all in, just enjoying listening to it.

So I suppose it depends on whether they are a seminal band for you personally, but is your preference any different at Glasto than when you go to a different gig?

I was surprised last year with how easy it was to head to the front. Usually at gigs outside glasto I found it's very competative to try and hit the barrier (although often that is more to do with everyone wanting to admire Nicky Wire's skirt) but I thought it was a lot more relaxed in 2008. Is it just me?

[mikeee#]

in the day i like to be a bit more involved, quite close to the barrier, but depending on whos on (subways? yesss). when the headliners come on though later on i prefer to be able to stand back a bit & be able to meet/talk to people & enjoy the music at the same time.

[Madalien]

It does depend on the band but I used to like getting near the front, I can't do it now though, I hate all the pushing and shoving, I get a bit squished I do think crowds are a bit more relaxed at festivals than they are at a gig, less aggro, people are generally more chilled out.

[flibbitybob]

Definitely depends on the band/music type... if it's good but not dancy, right at the front, if it's ska or reggae (my favourite), got to be far enough back to skank but near enough not to look like too much of a loon!

Also depends on weather - nothing worse than being stuck in a very tight crowd without a drink in the boiling sun, you want to be sat further up with a cold pint.

And also depends on level of intoxication, if you're sober, wherever. If you're tipsy, at the front is always fun and if you're rip-roaringly drunk it's just rude to annoy fellow crowd members, and you can dance somewhere at the back like a crazy person with no shame at all!

I agree about it being easy to get to the front, it wasn't competitive like a lot of gigs etc. I found the crowds very pleasant in general, there was a lot of "ooh can you still see?" and "swap with me, I INSIST"... it was lovely.

[hazey_jane]

Whenever I go and see Paul Weller here on the continent, I make sure that I'm one of the first ones (if not the first one) in when the doors open so I can stand within touching distance of him. Otherwise I tend to be more hanging around the middle or the back where I can dance my little cotton ones off.

[1stGlasto'09]

I think it depends on your height in some situations when you want to get to the front; im often asked to move out of the way

[shortleg]

In front of the mixing desk usually for the best sound quality but otherwise on the rail or right at the back. So that's pretty well anywhere except out at the sides (particularly on the Queens Head side of the Other stage).

[shiveringsky]

Given height I have to either be at the front or the back. Anywhere in the middle and I have to pogo just to breathe!

[scaryclaireyfairy]

i happily queue to make sure i get on the barrier at gigs. i like to watch the interaction onstage as well as listen to the music and i get claustrophobic if i have people in front of me and i get jostled about. i'm getting a bit old for all the pushing and stuff on the barrier but luckily i'm still well 'ard! at a festival i'm off to the side out of the crowd though.

[glasto_mongrel_2008]

For me it depends on the band. I went to watch Slipknot and had to be at the front for that, just for the whole experience of it all. I enjoy being at the front for the more energetic bands but would rather stand in comfort for the less energetic bands. I'd feel like I was getting crushed at the front for the sake of it without the jumping around/mosh pit element. I think that makes sense .. . . . . .

[shiveringsky]

For me it depends on the band. I went to watch Slipknot and had to be at the front for that, just for the whole experience of it all. I enjoy being at the front for the more energetic bands but would rather stand in comfort for the less energetic bands. I'd feel like I was getting crushed at the front for the sake of it without the jumping around/mosh pit element. I think that makes sense .. . . . . .

[glasto_mongrel_2008]

Did you get vomitted on?

[theleedslads]

Yeah Slipknot moshpits at Leeds Festival were fun! as were Mad Caddies, Rancid, Less Than Jake, soad, & Metallica.

It really depends on the band though, if its an energetic one, then yeah, get right in there!

Chemical Brothers - Great! get some pills, get in there & rave!

Jamiroquai - Great! smoke a spliff, eat some shrooms and chill out

[mario man]

got to be far enough back to skank

[Chazeboy]

i used to be in the thick of it with everyone, but now, im kind of on the line where there is some jumping about (me) and then the "jumpers/dancers" are infront of me. but again it depedns who it is, like this year i really fancy going down close for Blur, and going crazy and having a great time, last day of the festival and all, so yeah .....