The Festival's Not What It Used to Be

[russycarps]

I tend to agree but its been some time since it was free. When you have a policy that 50% of young people will have a university education then you have an expensive problem on your hands. When I went to Uni it was more like 11% of the population that did so. Elitist? Yes. But based on merit rather than wealth. I went to my local Comp and got a place at UCL.

Meanwhile I have to pay over £600 per annum for a bus pass for my daughter to attend our nearest 6th form college. That's not free either :angry:

But if she decides to go on to Uni that won't cost me or her a penny in fees until she earns some serious dosh. A better deal than the current bus pass situation that has to be paid for now.

[autoinflate]

out of genuine interest can someone bullet point things that made it better in the past?

[russycarps]

Really? The opinion polls at the moment don't bear that out

[haznutuk]

I do geniunely believe it. I am absolutely convinced. Ed Milliband is not electable.

[robith]

I do geniunely believe it. I am absolutely convinced. Ed Milliband is not electable.

[russycarps]

I'm slightly inclined to agree (and feel bad as he was my second preferance in the leadership contest so I helped bring him in), but people really aren't sold on what the Tories are doing.

I think they'll win but with a narrow majority

[haznutuk]

I just pray this big society crap will somehow expose him as the fraud he is. problem is, people seem to be lapping it up!

[ukslim]

I just pray this big society crap will somehow expose him as the fraud he is. problem is, people seem to be lapping it up!

[haznutuk]

Unless it really is "we're going to sack everyone then ask them to come back and do the same job for free as volunteers". Is it?

[russycarps]

Not me. I joined the Green Party the day the LibDems agreed to enter into the coalition. What I see now is like the 80s all over again but worse as not many people seem to be protesting!

[russycarps]

Unless it really is "we're going to sack everyone then ask them to come back and do the same job for free as volunteers". Is it?

[ukslim]

I mean, the other day on here people were moaning about those tax fellows protesting (in a completely peaceful, non disrutpive manner) during the U2 set about their tax avoidance.

Rather than applauding these people for making an effort and standing up for their beliefs, people were instead mocking them and saying what's the point.

[Glasto Mad]

Annoyingly things change!. Is the festival not what it use to be?... Probably. But then I'm not sure if anything is 'as good as it once was'. Perhaps we're tasting a diluted glastonbury, but I really like the taste. The impact that the festival has on people is still massive and a huge leap above any other. The festival is evolving. perhaps the messages is being muffled a bit be it can still be heard. If you look for fun you will fun. I take great pleasure from saying that I love glastonbury

One of the things that I found endearing about Secret Garden Party (apples > pears I know) was the emphasis on participation. It didn't seem to matter that there are no big name bands.

[russycarps]

In light of you previous comments though, will you be inciting the U2 tax protesters to trash an ice cream van?

I see what you mean though. I think Glastonbury has done what indie music and alternative comedy has done, in going mainstream.

Stewart Lee said something along the lines of, "In the 80s you'd pay £5 to go to a comedy club to watch someone say how much they hate the Tories, everyone would cheer, then go home. Nowadays you pay £50 to watch someone say how much they hate their household appliances."

[robith]

I think his main problem isnt his apparent lack of clear policy, it is the fact is he is a nerd that looks and talks a bit funny. Image is everything these days. Sad but true.

"Dashing Dave" with his fake tan and regular photoshoots of him out running seems how to know how to play the public to perfection.

I just pray this big society crap will somehow expose him as the fraud he is. problem is, people seem to be lapping it up!

[robith]

Also, I've not contributed to the main topic, just had bants with slim and russy.

I only started going in 2007, so I can't really comment. I do have to say though the best atmopshere of all was in 2008 when it didn't sell out until the day before. There was a total mix of people there and everybody had an Us vs The World thing "f**k YOU, I WILL HAVE A BRILLIANT TIME".

But then that said that year also had rampant crime and loads of interesting bands (Stars, Band of Horses, The National) playing to next to no one as it was a bit "laddier".

I remember being really irate, being 22 in 2007 and from London to come home having had an amazing time despite the weather to find all and sundry blaming young people from London for making the festival shit.

This of course was contrasted with our camping neighbours, who I reckon were about 50, give or take. They spent the whole weekend by their tents, drinking Strongbow, audibly moaning about the festival wasn't as good as it used to be. Wow, party on guys

[russycarps]

Really? His own party hates it, and on a few key examples (like the forest sell off) he's had to back track

[Gregcharlie]

heh my mistake, I meant middle class.

The authorities rule by fear. It saddens me to see you falling for it.

Health and Safety is just another means to control the masses. I find it deeply troubling that people just lap it up.

[russycarps]

And so I bet you are really happy now.

[fred quimby]

not really, all the chippys in a 2 miles radius were shut and I had to have beans on toast for tea

[K8P]

Pah!!!!

[russycarps]

and there we have it

most of this thread does read like you want to be young again and not stuck behind a desk regretting that you grew up cut your hair and didn't follow your dreams.

[Pinhead]

"Well of course I feel like that, dont 99% of people over 30 feel the same, especially those stuck in tedious office jobs?"

Oh, yes - I certainly do. And surrounded by others of my age, I think I have increasingly less in common with any of them. It seems none of them can understand why I still go to Glasto at 38, and seem to behave as if there is something odd or childish about me for doing so. I'll never forget what it was like to be 22 and at Glasto for the first time in 1994. Equally however, I have to come to terms with the fact it will never be or feel like that ever again.

[worthyraver]

"Well of course I feel like that, dont 99% of people over 30 feel the same, especially those stuck in tedious office jobs?"

Oh, yes - I certainly do. And surrounded by others of my age, I think I have increasingly less in common with any of them. It seems none of them can understand why I still go to Glasto at 38, and seem to behave as if there is something odd or childish about me for doing so. I'll never forget what it was like to be 22 and at Glasto for the first time in 1994. Equally however, I have to come to terms with the fact it will never be or feel like that ever again.

[russycarps]

Are you sure about better drugs, or have you just built up a tolerance?