Whats with the closure of so many stages?

[Curtains1]

Why are there so many stages/small venues and bars getting closed and are any of them being replaced by anything?

[Chazeboy]

Why are there so many stages/small venues and bars getting closed and are any of them being replaced by anything?

[eFestivals]

Why are there so many stages/small venues and bars getting closed and are any of them being replaced by anything?

some are being replaced, some not. Glasto has always changed and adapted, so in the main it's just run of the mill really.

But alongside that is the issue that happened last year, of the fest nearly not selling out. As that's not been an issue for a very long time, the financial planning had I believe got a little ... shall we say ... complacent.

What I mean is that everything had been planned on a sell-out, and when it looked like it might not sell-out the financial implications of that started to impress itself into the minds of people such as Michael - I believe that Michael has to mortgage the farm each year as a way to fund the set-up of the fest, so the implications of it not selling out would be quite big in him personally.

Going a long way back in the past the fest lost an awful lot of money, and big steps had to be taken to turn things around, which they did do. I'd guess that someone (Michael) who is in many respects now retired isn't keen to find himself in a similar large-debt situation again, and the financials have been looked at closely to ensure it doesn't happen.

Remember, Glastonbury is not run as a profit making venture, so it's not like profits from one year can be used to cover any losses in another year. So it has to (or at least had done) make sure that it at least breaks even in any year.

[Mardy]

- I believe that Michael has to mortgage the farm each year as a way to fund the set-up of the fest, so the implications of it not selling out would be quite big in him personally.

[tylerdurden]

I dont understand, so is the site going to be smaller?

Like if you know what I'm saying, if areas are being cut out, overall will it not be as vast as previous years, albeit in a small way?

[glastofreak]

from what I can see from the boards there is only one stage that will not be at the festival this year and that is the Leftfield. This has been ''replaced'' with the Queens head and the cinima has moved to the acoustic field. So to answer the question in the title I don't think there has been many stage closures just one. I could be wrong if I am please let me know.

[Mardy]

Leftfield is gone, also the Jazz Lounge and the 'Late and Live' tent. I don't know about the theatre fields, but I've got a suspicion that cutbacks have been made there too.

[scappaflow]

I guess money is a big factor.

It seems Glasto spreads its resources a lot thinner than other festivals, more stages, more area. Also they don't have the usual money grabbing (beer tokens, car park prices etc) that you see at other events.

I guess something has to give.

[micawber]

I have no idea if it is practical or feasible, but would people object if Glasto aimed to make 10% above costs and donations, to put into a Trust Fund with the sole purpose of providing cover for future losses/liabilities, and with the proviso that the Trust would be wound up and distributed to charity in the event of the festival ceasing to be?

That might ease some of the financial stress and potentially reduce insurance costs by enabling larger excesses. It may ultimately provide the festival with greater security for the future.

[Mardy]

I'm not necessarily against change, I think there should be a continuous evolution of stages and stuff, and if some stages close, well as long as there's new ideas and new stages, I think that's pretty cool. The only thing that concerns me after reading a couple of threads on here, is that it seems to be a bit of a kneejerk reaction to the financial worries of last year. I think the best thing is to wait till this years festival and see what's new/ what's replacing them before I start sounding off about it all.

[Kyelo]

I guess money is a big factor.

It seems Glasto spreads its resources a lot thinner than other festivals, more stages, more area. Also they don't have the usual money grabbing (beer tokens, car park prices etc) that you see at other events.

I guess something has to give.

[yasgursfarmhand]

Three years ago there was no Park area. Trash City came recently, to name just a couple. It's good when the change things around bit, somehting new to discover. Otherwise it does get a bit groundhog festival (it felt a bit that way 2002 - 2007).

Shame about the Leftfield though. Some Glasto institutions should be put on the Listed Tent list.

[Kyelo]

Three years ago there was no Park area. Trash City came recently, to name just a couple. It's good when the change things around bit, somehting new to discover. Otherwise it does get a bit groundhog festival (it felt a bit that way 2002 - 2007).

Shame about the Leftfield though. Some Glasto institutions should be put on the Listed Tent list.

[yasgursfarmhand]

I love that notion lol maybe have 'National Park Area' where these listed tents can stay, a hall of fame of stages haha

[Red Day]

Beer prices are much and such the same as other festivals with or without tokens and I think the car parks are also.

[Chazeboy]

I'm not necessarily against change, I think there should be a continuous evolution of stages and stuff, and if some stages close, well as long as there's new ideas and new stages, I think that's pretty cool. The only thing that concerns me after reading a couple of threads on here, is that it seems to be a bit of a kneejerk reaction to the financial worries of last year. I think the best thing is to wait till this years festival and see what's new/ what's replacing them before I start sounding off about it all.

[Kyelo]

But at Glasto you're not forced to buy the dross that sells as lager from the official bars. What you get for your admission price at Glasto is so far ahead of anywhere else in the UK

[eFestivals]

I thought the deal with mean fiddler/festival republic/live nation would have put an end to that.

I am led to believe that festival Republic put absolutely nothing into the set-up and running of the fest aside from Melvin and any associated staff.

The festival is run by Glastonbury Festivals Ltd, and not anyone else.

[Mardy]

I am led to believe that festival Republic put absolutely nothing into the set-up and running of the fest aside from Melvin and any associated staff.

The festival is run by Glastonbury Festivals Ltd, and not anyone else.

[mouth]

Three years ago there was no Park area. Trash City came recently, to name just a couple. It's good when the change things around bit, somehting new to discover. Otherwise it does get a bit groundhog festival (it felt a bit that way 2002 - 2007).

Shame about the Leftfield though. Some Glasto institutions should be put on the Listed Tent list.