You actually do. Widely available in the Middle East they are generally the crushball filter type cigarettes. Usually menthol but you get berry ones everywhere too. I've also seen vanilla rolling tobacco in South Africa.
If we're talking offensive smells though, don't get me started on the way we all get herded through the duty free at the airports with no way to avoid, the perfume is frequently overpowering and I quite often have to cover my mouth and nose when walking through.
I second pretty much everything you said, I've expressed similar thoughts in the past.
Just to add a little something, imo, the issue (at least for us - current/past regulars) is not so much in regard to the "size" of the headliners but mostly for the music style that the lineup is focused on overall (incl. headliners). And that has a direct impact on the target audience and its age group, of course. I've noticed a big difference in the overall festival experience in the last couple of years. For all I know, someone like Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo orrr...Billie Eilish (in wish-lists of many) can sell out stadiums in a heartbeat maybe. Big names, undoubtedly (personally I don't know a single song of theirs but that says more about me ofc)! However, RW used to have a distinct identity that was setting it apart from other mainstream festivals. And that created thousands of "loyal" customers. There is a reason why combis didn't sell out last year and they had to reduce their number and increase day tickets instead. There is a reason why The Slope has become the favorite spot among us and is so packed all the time.
We have too many festivals these days, most of them being "controlled" by a handful of companies. And we really don't need two Pinkpops or two Pukkelpops just a few miles apart from each other. RW doesn't need to become like Primavera or Coachella. It can remain "different" or special. That's what I believe at least...
Anyway...It feels like RW is changing its skin. And every year, unfortunately, it becomes less and less of my thing. I'm probably not the type of customer they want anymore. And that's ok, it saddens me (that place feels like a holiday home for us after so many years) but I understand it and it's me that needs to adapt. With my friends we were of those people that would buy tickets immediately when they were out without waiting for the lineup knowing that it'd be awesome as always. For our taste that is. But It's not the case any more.
So be it, I'll remain hopeful that it's just temporary and keep my eyes pinned on every announcement and if the lineup is similar to '24 I simply won't be there. But I'll still buy my Graspop ticket without second thoughts. It is what it is...
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