The Pyramid Stage...

[LondonTom]

Its an orite stage, I to am confused by people who dismiss itjust cos its the Pyramid, it has had some terrific acts on it as well really bad. It does get kind of scary at the front with the sheer amount of people trying to get in. I gave up for gorillaz after dizzie as I was on the john peel side and felt properly scared as it was my first time there before a headliner and I sort found myself in line where people were trying to get in from. But then I was on the other side for Muse and right at the front, but it was packed solid until muse came on and people started being took over the barrier.

The one thing I would say is they could shut offer the front circle pit like at T once it reaches a certain level, I dunno if its possible with the shape at all but it would feel better llike that I think. And of course the flags but overall if theres someone on you like and your not to cool to sit through someone else whose a bit mainstream to get a good position then go for it!

[fuzzylogic]

I can't believe people are putting it down to "snobbery." Dismissing people's opinions as snobbery without listening to them, strikes me as being rather snobbish in itself.

The first year I went to Glastonbury in 2004 I stuck mostly to the pyramid stage and I loved it, so if I hear people who go and just stick round that area I can understand their reasons and don't belittle them for doing so, everybody's Glastonbury experience should be their own.

But now I personally find that there is too much to explore in the world of glastonbury, and that the pyramid stage is too far out of the way and just way too crowded to be enjoyable. That's not to say that I have not had some good times, if the weather is nice during the day it can be pretty cool before it gets to claustrophobic. Watching Crowded House in 2008 springs to mind as one of my favourite Pyramid memories.

But personally when it comes to headliners time I'd rather be somewhere less rammed.

[denwyn]

Pyramid is a good stage,last headliners i saw there were Neil Young and Springsteen in 2009,and it was so good,although for me the Springsteen show was a bit on the busy side. I did not see anyone there in the evenings last year,kept well away as for me its to hectic,i did see Ray Davies,Dead Weather,Paloma Faith,Norah Jones,Jackson Browne,and Willie Nelson during the afternoos and early evenings ,and for me i enjoyed these more than any headliners,good atmosphere,plenty of space,easy to get in and out of. I have made up my mind unless they get Pink Floyd ??? ( no chance ) i will again avoid it for headliners...Its a good stage,but has its drawbacks.

Edited January 7, 2011 by denwyn

[Porcelina]

The Pyramid is a decent place to catch a few novelty acts during the day and there really is nothing quite like a Pyramid headliner, other than that it's a bit hit and miss.

It's far better than the Other Stage, what seems to sap the life out of even the best of bands. Bar headliners.

[grumpyhack]

Although I spend a lot of mine time at places other than The Pyramid I'd be horrified it they ever suggested getting rid of it. The Pyramid symbolises Glasto.

[alframsey]

Is the Pyramid as bad as people on this board make out? Simple answer............NO!!!! It just seems fashionable to 'not like' the pyramid stage

[strummer77]

The Pyramid is a decent place to catch a few novelty acts during the day and there really is nothing quite like a Pyramid headliner, other than that it's a bit hit and miss.

It's far better than the Other Stage, what seems to sap the life out of even the best of bands. Bar headliners.

[worthyraver]

Is the Pyramid as bad as people on this board make out? Simple answer............NO!!!! It just seems fashionable to 'not like' the pyramid stage

[coma girl]

I think Leeds mainstage is one of the best stages viewing wise that there is , esepec since they moved

it a few yards or so this year. That slope was sent by god !!!

[speedball]

I can understand why some people aren't so keen on the Pyramid, and I don't think it's just being snobbish.

It's usually crowded, the flags can make it difficult to get a good view unless you're near the front, there are often sound problems, there are no stand out food stalls, and during the daytime it lacks the same magic that you feel around the rest of Glastonbury.

There are exceptions. Regina Spektor was on during the daytime a few years ago and was awesome. But then Norah Jones was on at similar time last year and seemed to get lost on such a big stage.

For me it depends on the act and the time of day. To make a fair comparason of the stages you need to consider where you would most like to see someone, given that they are most likely to play at a certain time of day. The Pyramid is perfect for someone like Stevie Wonder who is going to headline, and if U2 play this year I wouldn't want to see them on a smaller stage. But would the surprise late afternoon Thom Yorke set have been as good if it wasn't on the Park stage? And if you're a Suzanne Vega fan, wouldn't you want to be up close and intimate in the acoustic tent?

[Festival Liam]

I believe in seeing the artists I really want to see. I don't spend a lot of time listening to music thats realtively undiscovered, as I only just about have the time to keep on top of music as it's being mainstream released. So I tend to stick to the bigger stages. Last year on the Pyridmid I saw -

Rolf Harris, Gorillaz + some Dizzee Rascal, Corinne Bailey Rae, Muse, Scissor Sisters, Norah Jones (not really out of choice), Paloma Faith and Stevie Wonder.

I find the Pyridmid to have the biggest range of artists from across genres and generations. So I find it difficult to believe that people can't find at least a few acts to interest them on it. Fair enough if it's more a case of not being bothered to walk there to see the one act you want to see, but it's not because it doesn't offer at least some of what you want to see.

[Random Circle]

Whilst I would agree that Glastonbury has been know to produce a special form of 'too cool for school' type opinions, I have known a few people, over the years who never venture further that the Pyramid and surrounding outlets. Some people almost unaware of the 'other' side; thinking it's all camping fields and stuff. The 'anti-Pyramid' phenomenon has, perhaps, developed from the Avalon and Babylon school of awareness.

[Guest blackcockerel]

I go to whatever stage the act I want to see is playing on. Anyone who does otherwise is silly

[Bradders]

There were instances last year when I couldn't pick between a Park band or an Other Stage band and went for Park on the basis that it's a better stage.

Pyramid's a good stage though, nothing wrong with it. I think most of the hate for it is because it's the biggest and most popular, standard snobbishness.

[bush]

the pyramid is a great stage but unfortunately it tends to cater to the masses,which can lead to silly amounts of people. this can be quite uncomfortable late at night.i find it best to try and visit as many venues as possible.too much emphasis is put on pyramid headliners when really they are only a small part of the whole experience.

[MattL80]

Last year Rolf was the only act I saw on the Pyramid (out of about 20 acts seen over the whole fest).

That was in no way down to the stage itself, if anything I was a little dissapointed not to have seen much on the main stage. It was purely down to the lack of artists that interested me.

(The major exception being Muse, who I would have loved to have seen, but at the time Midlake appealed more).

I do think it goes to show it really doesn't matter who's headlining because there is so much else on offer elsewhere.

[alframsey]

This year I saw about 8 acts, 4 of which were at the Pyramid. I may be wrong but people on these boards seem to be uneasy with openly liking a 'Mainstream' artist or band, and being as thats what the Pyramid normally aims to keep happy (the mainstream) these same people would be uneasy with admitting to visiting the pyramid multiple times over the weekend?

Like I say, I could be hugely wide of the mark

[Bradders]

People also seem to think the less bands you watch the cooler you are and the 'better' you're doing the festival. Which ties into the pyramid-hating thing

[fuzzylogic]

People also seem to think the less bands you watch the cooler you are and the 'better' you're doing the festival. Which ties into the pyramid-hating thing

[Bradders]

Yeah it is a blanket statement. That was just a tiny rant at a lot of people who do have that attitude. Obviously there are genuine reasons people don't like it, but I still think a lot just say it because it's popular and they want to go against the grain.

As far as main stages go I think it's great. The sound is pretty fantastic compared to, say, Leeds Fest's main stage.

[OneLittleFish]

Part of the problem I have with any main stages is that all too often you get the people who are there for one or two of the hits and will talk through the rest of it - although I didn't go and see them it seems that Gorillaz had this problem last year - good set but as it wasn't hit heavy people weren't interested.

Similarly last year the Lightning Seeds Pyramid set wasn't that well received - saw them on the Avalon stage that night and they were f**king cracking.

I'd rather spend my time away from the overly popular areas of the site as you're more likely to find something unexpected and interesting - The Park is my favourite stage as it seems to raise surprises pleasingly often.

[Joshuwarr]

It is a fantastic looking stage and the arena itself is brilliantly shaped and placed. Not my favourite venue at the festival but still the perfect place for a headliner, if not the best place on earth for a headlining band. I also have a soft spot for the Park and the Other Stage (controversy), since I have seen some life defining sets there like Flaming Lips.

[rexclark]

I'll go see who i want no matter what stage they're playing. The Pyramid is an iconic piece of festival culture and I'd feel like I was missing out if I didn't see an act on it but I wouldn't go see an act play there for the sake of it. I just feel it's the people who like to pretend they're into underground acts that no ones heard of that pretend they don't care about the Pyramid stage which is fair enough but there's no need to make a big thing of it. It happens at every fest, it seems to some like a badge of honour to not have seen any big acts, whereas I see Glasto as my chance to see big acts I normally would never see such as Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg last year.

[danbailey80]

Pyramid stage is one of the best views, atmospheres etc at any festival. The other stage on the other hand. Hate watching bands here. The bleed of noice from the Glade and Dance village, the slope down from the stage on the left, the awful sound quality, the lack of screens, (until late year)..Pyramid though, great place...

[alframsey]

Of all the stages I don't have a favourite, but there aren't any I dislike either. I don't really see many acts over the weekend anyway, when I do it's people I really want to see and I don't care where they play. I have never spent more than 20 mins in The Park however, not really sure why and I've only heard great things about it.