A few random questions

[Messy]

It's my first glasto, and I have some stuff I'm unsure about.

I don't plan on seeing any headliners this year... Should I reconsider? Are pyramid headliners something you have to see, or should I not bother if I don't like any of the acts? I mean, I like Blur, but I'm seeing them at Hyde Park anyway.

I'm getting the train to Castle Cary station, and I understand there's a shuttle bus service taking people to the site regularly. Where do we get dropped off? I want to work out the optimal route to get to my campsite.

How much money should I take? Assuming I only buy food and booze.

Will I get served as a 17 year old?

What essentials can I get off eBay? I'm just about to buy several spare phone/camera batteries, and was wondering if there was anything else I could get whilst I'm here

Off the top of my head. I'm sure there'll be more.

[puppetmode]

dont be obsessed with the pyramid stage. I hate it and only endure for a great band. There is so much more to Glastonbury so enjoy everything.

[krisskross]

there are cash machines on site if you need. Work it out how much youll likely get through. £6 a meal and £3.50 a pint.

[LusciousLucy]

Drop off point for the coaches is the far NW corner of the site and entrance is through Gate 5. Which campsite have you in mind?

Pyramid Headliners are the one thing you DONT want to see...where on your ticket does it say you have to eh? A LOT of people avoid Babylon (the main stage and market area) completely as there are a thousand other things to see and do!

The Dance Village is usally quite a giggle with its headliners. And no matter what, if you are anywhere near main areas when the last band finishes, it WILL be very busy!

Money just for food budget up to £20 including booze maybe...BUT its Glasto...the markets are the most incredible on the planet...make sure you keep some money over for buying shit you like but dont need! (At my first Glasto in 95 I spent over £400 on clothes...you may balk but then I didnt need to buy anything for the next 3 years clothing wise!!!) And if there is clothing you like t he look of...check to see how many items there are as sometimes you must buy on the spot as there are limited numbers BUT...sales shopping on Monday is one of the joys of the fest! Utter bargains on a lot of the stuff you may have had your eye on for the past 5 days!!!

Tbh never seen anyone IDd at Glasto!

[DaveMac]

It's my first glasto, and I have some stuff I'm unsure about.

.....

Will I get served as a 17 year old?

.....

Edited June 14, 2009 by DaveMac

[travelling mr pastry]

only do what you want to, go with the flow, if you want to see a band see them if not then dont.

take as much money as you want, i usually spend £4/500 but i barhop has a method of crusing the site. its all up to you

it depends if you really think that a charged mobile phone is a 'must have'. i tend to switch it off when i get there and only ever really turn it on to check whos called or speak to people arriving on the first day. its better to just let go of all that shit, if you get lost or cant find your mates, spend a cursory 5 mins looking around at most and if you cant find em then f**k it, enjoy the lostness, although your at glasto to party so wherever you are you're never really lost, as i said go with the flow

[puppetmode]

beer will be your major spend. I take all my own with the occasional cold refreshing cider.

Food is reaasonable at £6 per plate of whatever usually and better if you search out the independant tents.

and I still taake around £100 so I can eat without worrying and pick up anything that takes my fancy. Like its been said previously, the markets are excellent and there alwasys something that will caatch your eye

[pie_and_a_pint]

Don't bank on getting served straight away if you look in any way under 18. You won't have trouble getting alcohol - you can always ask someone else to go to the bar for you. And you'll not be stopped bringing in your own. But don't be fooled that the WBC bars are any more lenient than a pub or bar elsewhere - they're not. They can, and do, ID people - it's the law.

[Mmmm Beer]

Drop off point for the coaches is the far NW corner of the site and entrance is through Gate 5. Which campsite have you in mind?

[Mmmm Beer]

I understand from a wbc bar manager they will be checking anybody who looks under 25.

[sunnyshoes]

I like seeing at least one Pyramid headliner each year though obviously it's not worth bothering if there are other people you'd rather see elsewhere. I think theres a special atmosphere around the Pyramid at night (more than the other stage) - I love the little fires everywhere and the big candles - and how it will be crowded at the front then as you get further back there will be people sat around and families and stuff. Its amazing to see when you're right at the back - Ive got really special memories of David Bowie in 2000 even though i wasnt that bothered about seeing him beforehand - as I was stood right at the back at the lane where the tents start and to look down at the crowd was amazing - specially with the Glastonbury mist floating over ... but thats just me. just thought its worth seeing/experiencing even for a short time over the weekend.

[paulo999]

Yep... I'd also recommend going for one Pyramid Headliner, even if you don't stay for the whole set.

The Pyramid field really is spectacular at night, as sunnyshoes says.

[chuckley]

yea when u bought the ticket, the disclaimer said u have to watch @ least 1 pyramid headliner or they dont let u on the coach on the way back.

[dibbul]

>>>How much money should I take? Assuming I only buy food and booze.

Best advice I had last year was to take lots of booze. For me Litre of Vodka & box of red wine makes for lots of saved money & not too heavy to carry. Buying a cold beer/cider is then an option.

Buy your food there though - great variety & quality.

Enjoy

[oldie]

I understand from a wbc bar manager they will be checking anybody who looks under 25.

[chuckley]

>>>How much money should I take? Assuming I only buy food and booze.

Best advice I had last year was to take lots of booze. For me Litre of Vodka & box of red wine makes for lots of saved money & not too heavy to carry. Buying a cold beer/cider is then an option.

Buy your food there though - great variety & quality.

Enjoy

[pie_and_a_pint]

Note to workers at WBC bars : it will make my glasto if you ask me for id!!!!

[rainy-h]

Hey, the licensing authorities are getting much stricter and send in kids and officers to check that the bars are IDing, so unfortunately the Workers Beer Company are having to tell their staff to ID to avoid losing their license, which is a bit of a bummer coz they used to be much more chilled out. That said

- plenty WBC staff won't bother or won't realise, it depends who and when, I'm sure you'll be fine. All the bar staff are charity volunteers and are really just there to have a wicked time themselves so not ogres! I think they'll be more lax if the bar is very busy, later on at night and later on in the weekend.

- not all the bars are run by WBC, eg the Brother's Bar and the Cider Bus aren't, and may be more chilled.

- other people will totally get it for you if you're stuck, Glasto is cool.

- there's loads of dudes wandering around the stages selling 2 quid cans from a rucksack (very against the rules tut tut ) so there's plenty around without using the bars.

- you can take as much as you want in with you as long as there's no glass and you definitely won't get checked at the gate!!!

As I'm sure hundreds of others have already said, I've been to Glastonbury loads of times and never, ever kept to any of my plans when I've got there. I've seen bands I wasn't into on the Pyramid stage and had a magical time and missed bands I loved on small stages and not really minded because I was having such a great time somewhere else. Just go with the flow and enjoy yourself!!! Cash machine queues can be horrendous..... Hx

Edited June 14, 2009 by rainy-h