How do you explain Glastonbury to someone that's never been there? What do first timers think?

[UEF]

I normally say "you go to most festivals and it's basically bands, beer and burgers. Glasto has all that but also a lot of space that's dedicated to just 'being', but not in a really forced pretentious way, it actually has an atmosphere. Also the way it's so hard to get tickets means that everyone who is there is there because they really want to be, rather than because they had nothing else to do that day"

[mrtourette]

It's like a massive festival that you camp in and therefore don't have to piss around with arena entrances, or alternatively lots of smaller festivals all joined together that you can freely roam around. And it's less corporate than other major festivals.

[Northernsoul45]

i've been asked a lot since i got back what i thought of glastonbury with it being my (and the majority of our groups ) first visit.

after talking for ages the first few times, and being very evangelical about it, i've basically shortened my explaination down too:

'think every music festival you've ever seen been too or thought of going too...well glastonbury is all those combined, with the spirit & elements of berlin/ibiza, put in a field for 5 days & nights, with the extra ingredient of another thousand and one extra non music things to see & do.

in short i recommend you go & i will definitely be back, just wish i'd been years before and not left it so late to go to my first.

[ghandi]

A friend of ours came as a newbie this year after we had been banging on about how good it was etc. He didn't really get it , but how could he know? Something must be amiss he though as i went first in 2009, raved about it to my brother, the next year he and his son same along, and now this new guy. We didn't see him for 5 days save meeting at the tent and popping in and out, he went wandering and loved it. We had told him before going in, Rob just do your own thing , don't tag along with someone just for the sake of it, you will miss so much. After a Thursday recon he took us at our word! Now he's in love with the place, problem is that's one less ticket available next year!

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

My girlfriend occassionally suffers from a mild form of agoraphobia. It was hellish explaining to her that she's be safe and would really enjoy it. It was touch and go right up to the night before departure whether we would actually attend. She finally agreed that she would give it a bash after I said we'd walk straight back off the site the minute we got there if she felt too uncomfortable. Fortunately she was not only OK with it but now is a Glastonbury convert.

[frostypaw]

It's bloody lovely reading the first timer's responses on here brings back all the memories of that first all-consuming afterglow that lasted for months

This year I took a mate from work who'd been before over a decade ago - his experience back then very much coloured by age/parents etc so didn't get to see anything like what he did this time. Overawed is the word and he really didn't go deep into much of it and yet still...

The end result is we're both utterly agreed on forcibly dragging a mutual friend - a part-hearing music, dance and circus loving friend who we just know will have an utterly life-changing experience going there. We've given up on explaining.... just going to buy him the ticket on a sale or return basis - if he doesn't have an amazing time he doesn't have to pay, £100 bet down each effectively. Wonder if that'll be enough convincing

[Nez85]

is this really what glastonbury is now?

[reallife]

As a first timer this year, I'd tell them:

It will smell. You won't notice.

You'll get lost. You won't want to get found again.

You'll rip the clashfinder up by the end of the first day. It doesn't matter.

It's not about the music. No, really. And Simon Cowell is wrong, there are some damn good jugglers in the world, and they will divert you from that band you thought you had to see. And that's fine.

You'll open some portaloo doors and wish you hadn't. No one dies.

Sit in the Glade after dark. Stop a little. Stop a lot. People watching here is the best you'll ever get, forget Paris.

Eat everything. All the stuff that sounds yummy, is. You'll dance it off again, forget the diet, forget rules, forget everything.

Leave your watch at home. It's the spaces inbetween the slots where the magic happens.

Suspend your belief. Or your belief system.

Smile. What your primary teacher lied to you about is true here, they really will mostly all smile back.

Sing. Loudly and out of tune. Cry a bit. No ones looking. No ones laughing.

But most of all, just once, go to the peace dome, sit cross legged, preferably on your first day, and listen. You'll hear everything and nothing and the world will shift a little on its axis for you and everything for the next 4-5 days will really seriously totally be alright.

[whisty]

My girlfriend occassionally suffers from a mild form of agoraphobia. It was hellish explaining to her that she's be safe and would really enjoy it. It was touch and go right up to the night before departure whether we would actually attend. She finally agreed that she would give it a bash after I said we'd walk straight back off the site the minute we got there if she felt too uncomfortable. Fortunately she was not only OK with it but now is a Glastonbury convert.

[russycarps]

is this really what glastonbury is now?

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Oh no, not another ticket out of the pot!

[Crystal Waters]

And yet more tickets in demand here!

We went for the first time this year - we were very excited beforehand but honestly we were just blown away by the whole thing. I wish it could have lasted for a fortnight but my liver is grateful it didn't. I have to go back because there were so many areas I didn't get the chance to explore properly. Only bit I don't want to revisit is the toilets behind the West Holts stage!!

[Nez85]

is this really what glastonbury is now?

[Justiceforcedave]

...oh and if anyone's bored and feels generous then leave a little comment on the site about what she wrote.

[Justiceforcedave]

One of my "Newbie's" just bought herself a Bestival ticket! Apparently Glasto just wasn't enough.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

And Simon Cowell is wrong, there are some damn good jugglers in the world,

[Guest]

I can't stand jugglers. I recognise that some are better than others, but to describe them as good in a wider sense is a complete anathema to me. I don't know why I should think that way, but I do. Therefore, as much as it pains me, I'm with Simon Cowell on this one.

Edited July 8, 2013 by Ommadawn

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

or live hand grenades etc? Maybe they could take the detonator pin out on the upward trajectory and put it back in on the downward one. That would be exciting.

[Thearg]

I dunno,this ones got cats in it.....Aww!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bGVT4-1DBU

[MrZigster]

I can't stand jugglers. I recognise that some are better than others, but to describe them as good in a wider sense is a complete anathema to me. I don't know why I should think that way, but I do. Therefore, as much as it pains me, I'm with Simon Cowell on this one.

[MrZigster]

How about if they juggle chainsaws or live hand grenades etc? Maybe they could take the detonator pin out on the upward trajectory and put it back in on the downward one. That would be exciting.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Have you tried juggling? It can be quite zen in a yoga, hind brain really concentrating, type of way I've been told.

You sound like you have the kind of attitude towards jugglers as the author Terry Pratchett's character Lord Vetinari has towards mime artists.

Learn the words!

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

@ Mr. Zigster You seem to have fucked off for the evening without answering my question. Perhaps you'll be able to at a later date?

[Charlie Bright]

Some brilliant posts in this thread.

[Thearg]

My mate can juggle,he has tried to teach me a few times.

I cant!,it makes me want to punch him in the face.