festivals report in the observer yesterday

[pothead pixie]

for me it was a perfect storm of lots of little niggles all adding up to a full on official "not as good as it used to be!" rant.

-I think 2010 was the year the hunter welly wearing brigade who dont know or care about what the ethos of the festival used to be first actually outnumbered those of us who do. NOT just 18 year olds, these people are of all ages

-I saw incidents where the old characters that rattle around the place were openly mocked and ridiculed. I've never seen anything like this happen before.

-regimented queues to get in places. At glastonbury!

-bars where people were getting kicked out for drinking their own drinks. At glastonbury!

-flashmobs that had been planned months in advance at the stone circle, a place that used to be renowned for its spontaneous craziness. Flashmobs! the most loathsome form of arranged wackiness.

-paul simon playing NO simon & garfunkle songs

-the ticket price making the festival unreachable for the very people who make the festival what it is

-the corporate camping taking over the festival

-plus other stuff that annoyed me

I'll still be going in 2013 of course as it's still the best festival in the UK by miles

[Mardy]

good thread, enjoying this a lot. Nice one.

Russy is one of my favourite posters on the forum, and as usual he's 50% hit the nail on the head and 50% way off mark, that's how he rolls .

I first went to Glastonbury as a young man in 93 and trust me I was as anti social, 'orrible and ignorant of what the festival was about as any of the kids nowadays. Didn't give a fuck, all i wanted to do was throw drugs down my neck and act the c**t. That's what you do when you're young, isn't it?

As time passed, i grew up (a bit), learned a bit more about things and came to appreciate it. But I'll be honest, I can think of nothing worse than reverential teenagers, all in awe of the traditions and the 'meaning' of it all. Be young, be fucking daft, kick over the statues, it's the only way.

I agree that there are some changes that upset me, people not being allowed to drink their own booze in bars, queuing for late night areas, the regulation, that kind of stuff. But undoubtedly it's a safer, more pleasant place now. I'm older, and as I see it, the festival has grown with me. These days, we go with parents, kids, whatever, there's regularly 3 generations of us togehter. Now, that would never have happened in the 90s. I'm older, more sensible, more sedate, and so's the festival. I still like a bit of madness and acting the twat from time to time though, and that's still there if you know where to look for it, as anyone who saw my appalling behaviour at the efests meet last year will vouch for.

It's kind of representive of many of the splits that have happened in other areas of entertainment/society. If you want a hardcore eco/crusty/ festival, you can go to that. If you want a pop festival, you can find one, if you want a festival for dance music, you can go to one. What Glastonbury does is bring all this fragmentation together, like no other festival. Of course, that means that some of the groups are going to be dicks you wouldn't normally associate with, but that's an integral part of it, and the thing I'd be loathed to lose.

oh yeah, and more than anything else, Paul Simon was a solid 24 carat letdown last year. I don't reckon we'll find anyone arguing about that. Let that be the rallying call that unites us, that brings us together, the Hunter welly wearers, the Special Brew Crew, the Peaches Geldof Clones, all of us, stop this petty bickering and come together my people, under the 'Paul Simon was Shite' banner. United, there's nothing that can stop us...

[Katster]

I want to make things clear, I don't hate young folk, I love them. I stopped going to Glastonbury for a few years because I didn't want to sound like a bitter old woman stating how things aren't what they used to be and that all these cool kids should be at creamfields or something. I wanted to give them their fun, and give myself some experience of other things (I am now a big lover of small festivals) with a view to return eventually with a clear head and hopefully with less expectation of how things should be.

The bloody price had a lot to do with my decision too!!!

I will return next year providing I get a new job that pays more and allows the time off work

[Mardy]

Yeah, I meant to add that, the young people there are invariably polite, friendly, open minded and well mannered. Far more so than the grumpy miserable curmudgeons that make up me and my contemporaries.

[russycarps]

bah mardy this thread is not the place for fair-minded argument and well-reasoned points!

OK, this is probably not going to do down well and is full of terrible generalisations but here goes...

what I dislike most about the festival now is that, lets face it, only pretty well off people can afford to go these days. And these people have certain demands and expectations. The posh camping, the branded food stalls, mobile phone charging, orderly queues to get in places. All this has come about because that is what the average glasto goer now expects. The festival is now catering to a different crowd than the people who didnt mind slumming it in the earlier years. I bet every single person who has been going to the festival for years knows people who no longer go due to the massive expense.

And I'm sorry to say but it is the people that have hardly any money and a free-spirit existence that made the place great. For me glastonbury really was an escape from the drudgery of real life. Is that the case for someone who can afford a £200 ticket + spending money? I recall threads on the glastonbury forum about how much spending money people were taking and some people were taking £500+!

The old crowd has been largely replaced by the affluent, hunter welly wearing types who's lives are funded by their parents, or who have high flying jobs in media or finance. The sort of people who leave their expensive tent and all their other stuff behind and just buy more. Because £100 is a small price to pay not to have to carry their crap to the car. These people are just not the same as the old crowd who can no longer afford to go. 2010 for me was the tipping point when "the poor" were outnumbered by "the rich". There, I've said it. Of course, there are still many people going like the old crowd, but they are now in the minority. You can spot the less well off people a mile off. They are the ones having a good time, rather than the ones doing staged wackiness while their friends take photos and upload them to facebook.

It's nothing to do with age, it's a rich v poor issue for me. Simple fact is, I prefer to be around people with not much money, than people with a lot of money. In my experience, they are more fun, care more about the same kind of things I do. A wild generalisation sure and there are exceptions on both sides, but broadly that is the case, no doubt about it. Compare the old lunacy round the stone circle to the pre arranged flashmobs that happen there these days. That place used to be the beating heart of glastonbury, now it's shit.

All the crusties were priced out long ago.

Something like glastonbury festival would never in a million years have been started by millionaires.

People will deny all this and say I'm mad, but it's true.

And yeh yeh, I can comfortably afford it now. But I'm old with an ok job, but my outlook has not changed one bit from when I was 18. And I still sleep on a roll mat rather than a damn blow up bed!

But more important than all that, Paul Simon was the biggest let down in glastonbury history.

[thetime]

But all festivals are over priced!

Glastonbury changed when the fence went up and you cant get away from that. Yes I know it couldbt continue thousands gatecrashing every year but it changed.

[russycarps]

But all festivals are over priced!

Glastonbury changed when the fence went up and you cant get away from that. Yes I know it couldbt continue thousands gatecrashing every year but it changed.

[thetime]

Indeed. 2000 was the last great festival (though 2003 was also quite amazing)

Imagine the current glasto goer trying to survive the 2000 festival

Edited April 4, 2012 by thetime

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

The drugs were stronger back then too (in my opinion). It was a year when all the drongos and misfits scaled a fence and partied. Hard.

As far as I'm concerned, all Glastos have been good (even the muddy ones of which I have been to several). I just wish I'd gone earlier when you could drive on to the site and pitch your tent next to your car.

[thetime]

I think we all get a bit misty eye about festivals years ago and remembering our youth.

Lets not forget robbing from tents was a major problem at glastonbury before the fence went up and there was alot more trouble. Thieves are less likely to go on the rob if they have to plan and buy a £200 ticket 6 months beforehand.

[russycarps]

I think we all get a bit misty eye about festivals years ago and remembering our youth.

Lets not forget robbing from tents was a major problem at glastonbury before the fence went up and there was alot more trouble. Thieves are less likely to go on the rob if they have to plan and buy a £200 ticket 6 months beforehand.

[thetime]

oh aye, it certainly wasnt all rosy. The drug dealers looked a lot meaner back then too!

[Rachie]

2007 was my first Glastonbury and i found it a life changing experience. I remember thinking the Glastonbury crowed were all snobs ect...until i went. Its truly a beautiful place. Of course I cant compare it to 90s/early 2000s, but i fell in love with it while it was (apparently) at its worst (rain/crowds/ect) I don't plan on stopping going any time soon, although I am glad for the brake this year because its given me the chance to afford 2 festivals I've never been to before.

[russycarps]

2007 was my first Glastonbury and i found it a life changing experience. I remember thinking the Glastonbury crowed were all snobs ect...until i went. Its truly a beautiful place. Of course I cant compare it to 90s/early 2000s, but i fell in love with it while it was (apparently) at its worst (rain/crowds/ect) I don't plan on stopping going any time soon, although I am glad for the brake this year because its given me the chance to afford 2 festivals I've never been to before.

[thetime]

yep as much as I love to moan about the place it's still the best festival by miles and I still dont think there's another british festival that can give that life changing experience

[amfy]

The mention of flashmobs reminds me that the internet is another thing that's spoiling it - even this forum. Many of us went to our first Glastonbury completely unprepared and with no idea what to expect. Now, we have big lists of stuff you "need" to take, and detailed accounts of where to find The Rabbit Hole and what it's like once you''re in there. No surprises any more, maybe even disappointment in it's place, at all the things you were "supposed" to have seen & done but didn't make it to.

Even the wellies thing - it's less than 10 years since I was still seeing people at their first Glastonbury in trainers wrapped in binliners. That was me in 1997, and I still did the same again in 98, because it wasn't important to have the right gear for Glastonbury then - you just kind of muddled through it, and that was half the fun.

Blimey - listen to me - I am a hundred and three!

[thetime]

The mention of flashmobs reminds me that the internet is another thing that's spoiling it - even this forum. Many of us went to our first Glastonbury completely unprepared and with no idea what to expect. Now, we have big lists of stuff you "need" to take, and detailed accounts of where to find The Rabbit Hole and what it's like once you''re in there. No surprises any more, maybe even disappointment in it's place, at all the things you were "supposed" to have seen & done but didn't make it to.

Even the wellies thing - it's less than 10 years since I was still seeing people at their first Glastonbury in trainers wrapped in binliners. That was me in 1997, and I still did the same again in 98, because it wasn't important to have the right gear for Glastonbury then - you just kind of muddled through it, and that was half the fun.

Blimey - listen to me - I am a hundred and three!

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I don't mind having suitable gear for Glasto nowadays. Just makes life easier so you can concentrate on enjoying yourself (especially if it's muddy). Guess it might be an age thing too with wanting / needing appropriate kit. Still wouldn't do the caravan thing though.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

yep as much as I love to moan about the place it's still the best festival by miles and I still dont think there's another british festival that can give that life changing experience

[Mardy]

The mention of flashmobs reminds me that the internet is another thing that's spoiling it - even this forum. Many of us went to our first Glastonbury completely unprepared and with no idea what to expect. Now, we have big lists of stuff you "need" to take, and detailed accounts of where to find The Rabbit Hole and what it's like once you''re in there. No surprises any more, maybe even disappointment in it's place, at all the things you were "supposed" to have seen & done but didn't make it to.

Even the wellies thing - it's less than 10 years since I was still seeing people at their first Glastonbury in trainers wrapped in binliners. That was me in 1997, and I still did the same again in 98, because it wasn't important to have the right gear for Glastonbury then - you just kind of muddled through it, and that was half the fun.

Blimey - listen to me - I am a hundred and three!

[rabid]

bah mardy this thread is not the place for fair-minded argument and well-reasoned points!

OK, this is probably not going to do down well and is full of terrible generalisations but here goes...

what I dislike most about the festival now is that, lets face it, only pretty well off people can afford to go these days. And these people have certain demands and expectations. The posh camping, the branded food stalls, mobile phone charging, orderly queues to get in places. All this has come about because that is what the average glasto goer now expects. The festival is now catering to a different crowd than the people who didnt mind slumming it in the earlier years. I bet every single person who has been going to the festival for years knows people who no longer go due to the massive expense.

And I'm sorry to say but it is the people that have hardly any money and a free-spirit existence that made the place great. For me glastonbury really was an escape from the drudgery of real life. Is that the case for someone who can afford a £200 ticket + spending money? I recall threads on the glastonbury forum about how much spending money people were taking and some people were taking £500+!

The old crowd has been largely replaced by the affluent, hunter welly wearing types who's lives are funded by their parents, or who have high flying jobs in media or finance. The sort of people who leave their expensive tent and all their other stuff behind and just buy more. Because £100 is a small price to pay not to have to carry their crap to the car. These people are just not the same as the old crowd who can no longer afford to go. 2010 for me was the tipping point when "the poor" were outnumbered by "the rich". There, I've said it. Of course, there are still many people going like the old crowd, but they are now in the minority. You can spot the less well off people a mile off. They are the ones having a good time, rather than the ones doing staged wackiness while their friends take photos and upload them to facebook.

It's nothing to do with age, it's a rich v poor issue for me. Simple fact is, I prefer to be around people with not much money, than people with a lot of money. In my experience, they are more fun, care more about the same kind of things I do. A wild generalisation sure and there are exceptions on both sides, but broadly that is the case, no doubt about it. Compare the old lunacy round the stone circle to the pre arranged flashmobs that happen there these days. That place used to be the beating heart of glastonbury, now it's shit.

All the crusties were priced out long ago.

Something like glastonbury festival would never in a million years have been started by millionaires.

People will deny all this and say I'm mad, but it's true.

And yeh yeh, I can comfortably afford it now. But I'm old with an ok job, but my outlook has not changed one bit from when I was 18. And I still sleep on a roll mat rather than a damn blow up bed!

But more important than all that, Paul Simon was the biggest let down in glastonbury history.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Yeah, this is spot on, going unprepared, deciding the day before to drive from Kent to Glastonbury on a whim, taking just a fiver and a big bag of speed, all of that stuff. But as I said, I like it a bit more sedate now, I'm older, I don't want all those lads mugging people as you jumped the fence, those really scary tooled up dealers. The 39 year old me likes it now and the 20 year old me liked it then. Both of us have changed.

The internet though, yeah, the fact that there's threads with people obsessing about who the surprise acts will be, the 20 things you 'must' do at Glastonbury, how to find the secret piano bar, all of that shit takes away a bit of the magic of it.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I had a friend who was a Glastonbury snob. He would bang on about roughing it and not washing for a week. My only question was "Why. Dont they have water?" He thought I could relate to that having been in the army but I just thought he was a grotty c**t.

[thetime]

Wasnt it the upper class that started glasto with michael eavis? Annabel churchill and another guy?

[russycarps]

Wasnt it the upper class that started glasto with michael eavis? Annabel churchill and another guy?