Forget Specsavers, you should have gone to GLASTONBURY!

[Vieuphoria]

Bollocks - the flags are great.

[joelovesleeds!]

Bollocks - the flags are great.

[rexclark]

I think tthe problem is people compare the music of both festivals too much. Trust me, even if you only see two acts on the Glasto line up that takes your fancy it's still well worth visiting. The different areas are immense, Shangri la for example is one of the most amazing places I've ever been, all the late night areas are unbeliveable. there's also the fact you get to see acts you wouldn't normally see, the two acts that made my weekend at Glasto this year were Rolf Harris and willie Nelson!

[rivalschools.price]

the point is, a lot of people go to a festival for the music (not all, before the glasto fans start shouting) so the whole 'its not about the music' argument will be lost on them. ive no doubt that glastonbury is a great weekend but you'll have a hard job convincing guns n roses,Arcade Fire or blink 182 fans that willie nelson and rolf harries is a better option.try telling the fans who go just for the lock up tent that there is 'so much more than music to do' at glasto so miss out on bad religion and alkaline trio.

the thing is that the whole reason reading fans defend their festival so vigorously(not sure why they should have to) is that they say that there is better bands there so you cannot say to compare the festivals but dont compare the music cos you'll be taking away the main reason people go to reading.

[hatethisandillloveyou]

Reading/Leeds actually have 6. Very not worth it. I always wonder why Glasto can afford to do so much more and do do far more than the commercial ones such as Reading...

[rexclark]

I think a lot of it is that bands want to play Glastonbury, and don't get paid millions and millions

[eFestivals]

Cheaper, easier to get to, music overall is better, more my age group at Leeds etc etc etc.

I am going to Glastonbury one day, but not for a couple years.

That's not actually correct, when things such as the free programme at Glasto, the ability to take all of the alcohol you want, and no need of buying an extra "early entry ticket" are factored in. Glasto works out cheaper.

[eFestivals]

Secondly, I think the 2 festivals are of a similar level all considered. Glastonbury is a nightmare to get to, far too busy and too spread out.

Reading is far more busy than Glasto, because the density of people per acre is much greater at Reading.

As for "nightmare to get to", that's purely dependant on where a person lives and what travel options are available to them &/or they're prepared to use.

Glastonbury is defo far more spread out, but that's a part of what makes it (tho I admit it can be exhausting) - it means that people are more likely to take an interest in things they pass which they wouldn't otherwise see.

[eFestivals]

the point is, a lot of people go to a festival for the music (not all, before the glasto fans start shouting) so the whole 'its not about the music' argument will be lost on them. ive no doubt that glastonbury is a great weekend but you'll have a hard job convincing guns n roses,Arcade Fire or blink 182 fans that willie nelson and rolf harries is a better option.try telling the fans who go just for the lock up tent that there is 'so much more than music to do' at glasto so miss out on bad religion and alkaline trio.

the thing is that the whole reason reading fans defend their festival so vigorously(not sure why they should have to) is that they say that there is better bands there so you cannot say to compare the festivals but dont compare the music cos you'll be taking away the main reason people go to reading.

While I completely agree with the angle you've taken about how people view things, I actually find that more than a little sad. As rexclark indicated, there's huge enjoyment to be gained from catching acts that you wouldn't otherwise see ... and I find the "must see the famous bands because they're famous" attitude (which exists in a big way at Glasto too) more than a little narrow minded and depressing.

As Melvin Benn likes to say, there are only two forms of music - good and bad. And just because an act isn't the latest hot indie/rock/metal band doesn't mean it can't be just as enjoyable to someone with an open mind than your favourite act.

[joelovesleeds!]

Reading is far more busy than Glasto, because the density of people per acre is much greater at Reading.

[eFestivals]

There may be more people per acre, but from my experience getting around at Leeds is far easier than Glastonbury where it can get damn claustrophobic on any of the pathways.

true, but only if you're going between the Pyramid/Other/JP stages. Outside of those pathways, it's far more spacious.

Last year took me just over 13 hours to do a 3.5 hour journey, therefore there must have been thousands of other cars in the same boat. Glastonbury is not well organized or situated for travel.

ahhh, that was an exceptional year caused by a specific problem outside of the festival's control and nothing particularly to do with the festival - there was an accident on the M5, which caused it to be closed, and which led to the M5 traffic being sent along the same roads as much of the festival traffic.

I've not been to Leeds so don't know how that might be affected by such a major road closure in the area, but if the M4 in Reading had to be closed at the point that Reading Festival traffic was arriving then they'd be similar delays there despite the fest only attracting half the numbers of Glastonbury.

Overall in recent years the amount of queuing that people have had to do for Glasto has been much reduced from what it was long in the past. When I first started going back in the mid-eighties and when the festival was far far smaller, it wasn't unusual for people to queue for 6 to 8 hours - and despite that, Glasto has managed to grow itself into the biggest UK fest by a long long way (which it wasn't back then) .... so it must be doing something right!

[joelovesleeds!]

ahhh, that was an exceptional year

... it wasn't unusual for people to queue for 6 to 8 hours - and despite that, Glasto has managed to grow itself into the biggest UK fest by a long long way (which it wasn't back then) .... so it must be doing something right!

[Benj]

That's not actually correct, when things such as the free programme at Glasto, the ability to take all of the alcohol you want, and no need of buying an extra "early entry ticket" are factored in. Glasto works out cheaper.

[eFestivals]

There's no real difference in price anyway is there?

In the pennies shelled out on the standard ticket, nope - they're just about identical. But when the standard extras - programme & early entry - are factored in, Glastonbury becomes cheaper.

And then when alcohol costs are included, those who take their own alcohol (rather than using the bars) get an extra saving, because at Glasto there isn't the restriction on drinking that alcohol during the day/evening as there is at Reading/Leeds because of the ban on alcohol being taken into the arena.

[Benj]

In the pennies shelled out on the standard ticket, nope - they're just about identical. But when the standard extras - programme & early entry - are factored in, Glastonbury becomes cheaper.

And then when alcohol costs are included, those who take their own alcohol (rather than using the bars) get an extra saving, because at Glasto there isn't the restriction on drinking that alcohol during the day/evening as there is at Reading/Leeds because of the ban on alcohol being taken into the arena.

[eFestivals]

Anyone who buys the program/ timetable at Reading is a massive mug

well yeah - cos just about all festie programmes are complete rip-offs. All the same, lots of people (probably the majority at most fests, if not that at Reading/Leeds) buy them, either for the stage timetables or as a memento.

Meanwhile, Glasto does a programme that's better quality than any other festie programme I've ever seen, and it's FREE (or included in the ticket price, if you want to view it like that). And that's a big part of the difference between Glasto and other fests - not trying to fleece the punters for every possible penny.

[Benj]

well yeah - cos just about all festie programmes are complete rip-offs. All the same, lots of people (probably the majority at most fests, if not that at Reading/Leeds) buy them, either for the stage timetables or as a memento.

Meanwhile, Glasto does a programme that's better quality than any other festie programme I've ever seen, and it's FREE (or included in the ticket price, if you want to view it like that). And that's a big part of the difference between Glasto and other fests - not trying to fleece the punters for every possible penny.

[eFestivals]

Indeed

I used to buy the Reading one before you could get the times on the interwebs, the content was utterly rubbish, band bios copy and pasted from PR releases and adverts. That's your lot. We'd normally binned ours off by 2:30 on the Friday.

I think they sell the timing neckbands separately now, so at least you don't have to fork out for the pointless program, I suspect theyre still about 8 quid or something mad

On the basis of what other festies charge for their programmes, etc, then the Glasto programme should be sold at about £45 given its quality compared to most others.

[rexclark]

I would definately say Glastonbury is better value for money as pointed out in the points above. Also if you're willing to have a look around, food and drink is cheaper as well. Definately great value for money over all.

[Dan R]

I am the only person who gets the impression on these forums that if you prefer another festival to Glastonbury then you instantly presumed to be wrong?

I was planning on going this year but A Levels got in the way, but just from people's attitude's towards it I've been put off considerably

I completely understand that it is an amazing place and I am definitely going to go, but hate being looked down because I've had a great time at Leeds, TitP, Download, V etc. as they're all a rip-off or a corporate event or whatever

Oh and when people talk about value for money, not all festival have the heritage to get massive names at smaller fee's like Glastonbury does, so the few extra quid doesn't make a huge difference to me

sorry about that rant lol

[rexclark]

I am the only person who gets the impression on these forums that if you prefer another festival to Glastonbury then you instantly presumed to be wrong?

I was planning on going this year but A Levels got in the way, but just from people's attitude's towards it I've been put off considerably

I completely understand that it is an amazing place and I am definitely going to go, but hate being looked down because I've had a great time at Leeds, TitP, Download, V etc. as they're all a rip-off or a corporate event or whatever

Oh and when people talk about value for money, not all festival have the heritage to get massive names at smaller fee's like Glastonbury does, so the few extra quid doesn't make a huge difference to me

sorry about that rant lol

[gig_addiction]

Interesting post. Reading / Leeds is awesome due to the heavier line up. However the atmosphere is muchhh friendlier at glasto, and just anything goes. You get such an eclectic bunch in comparison to the 'I think I'm mental cos I've finished my gcse's' types which seem to overpower reading. I also don't think anywhere can beat Glastonburys nightlife ! Saying this I hope you all enjoy Leeds/ Reading this year ( blink 182 ahhh) but you MUST experience the beast that is Glastonbury.

[Vacant0]

I am the only person who gets the impression on these forums that if you prefer another festival to Glastonbury then you instantly presumed to be wrong?

I was planning on going this year but A Levels got in the way, but just from people's attitude's towards it I've been put off considerably

I completely understand that it is an amazing place and I am definitely going to go, but hate being looked down because I've had a great time at Leeds, TitP, Download, V etc. as they're all a rip-off or a corporate event or whatever

Oh and when people talk about value for money, not all festival have the heritage to get massive names at smaller fee's like Glastonbury does, so the few extra quid doesn't make a huge difference to me

sorry about that rant lol

Edited August 4, 2010 by Vacant0

[eFestivals]

I am the only person who gets the impression on these forums that if you prefer another festival to Glastonbury then you instantly presumed to be wrong?

I was planning on going this year but A Levels got in the way, but just from people's attitude's towards it I've been put off considerably

I completely understand that it is an amazing place and I am definitely going to go, but hate being looked down because I've had a great time at Leeds, TitP, Download, V etc. as they're all a rip-off or a corporate event or whatever

Oh and when people talk about value for money, not all festival have the heritage to get massive names at smaller fee's like Glastonbury does, so the few extra quid doesn't make a huge difference to me

sorry about that rant lol

It might surprise you to know that Reading Fest has a longer heritage than Glastonbury does. So with regard to that, Glastonbury has done nothing that wouldn't have been possible for Reading. But anyway....

Anyone sensible should be able to accept that line-up is important. If someone feels that they must see (say, using this year as an example) Arcade Fire, then their only option is Reading and so that's where they'll go.

But putting the music aside - and for many people it can be, as they'd be no fewer appealing bands at Glastonbury than Reading - then there's the basis to make more realistic comparisons.

If your wish from a festival is to only see band after band after band, and to be able to get between the stages those bands are playing on in the minimum amount of time, then Reading wins hands down.

But for just about anything else they might be compared on, Glastonbury is streets ahead. Cheaper (when all things are factored in); far more diverse in what's available to be seen, both musically and outside of the music; a better atmosphere (in most people's opinions, from comments made over the years); more days of entertainment; many more hours each day of entertainment; a far nicer site; a site kept far nicer by the attendees than Reading manages; etc, etc, etc.

And finally .... while I get that it gets up people's noses when Glastonbury goers are essentially saying "my fest is better than your fest", the simple fact of the matter is that for those who have been to both, (from what gets said by them) the vast majority of people prefer Glastonbury to Reading.

That doesn't mean that you and others haven't "had a great time at Leeds, TitP, Download, V etc". But it does mean that it's likely (via the averages) that you'd have a better time at Glastonbury - history shows that this is so.

[joelovesleeds!]

It might surprise you to know that Reading Fest has a longer heritage than Glastonbury does.

Edited August 4, 2010 by joelovesleeds!