G22 Retrospective

[FrancisH]

Probably sounds a bit silly but I burst into (happy) tears when I first walked into West Holts field on the Wednesday.

Last went in 2017 and missed out on tickets after that, by some absolute miracle picked up 2022 tickets in the resale a few months before the festival.

I think the culmination of all the shit that we endured and some extra life stuff, and also that I associate West Holts with some of my very happiest memories at Glasto, just hit me like a ton of bricks.

Anyway had to sit down on the benches at the back and take it all in, drinking my brothers cider.

Edited December 21, 2022 by FrancisH

[wro_lap]

Macca and Kendrick were two of the best sets I've ever seen. Foals too.

 

Think I tired myself out trying to do too much and it had a huge knock on effect on how I enjoyed my weekend, but that's fine. The highlights were higher than anything I've ever experienced.

 

Sam Fender, Phoebe Bridgers and Olivia Rodrigo were all brilliant!

[wro_lap]

5 minutes ago, Hugh Jass II said:

The guarantee is that you’ll complain.

Death, taxes, this guy trying to piss on someone else's excitement

[ClementsMike]

Yes, strong year. Highlights - Macca , Pet Shop Boys, Fender, Sleaford Mods, Kae Tempest and Gabriel’s. Notable mention to Herbie Hancock. 
Only bummer was my wife being poorly and not fully match fit and the early threat of rain. 
 

[Hugh Jass II]

6 minutes ago, wro_lap said:

 

 

Sam Fender, Phoebe Bridgers and Olivia Rodrigo were all brilliant!

I do regret not seeing Fender, but by that point I had been doing my own thing all day and was keen to meet back up with my mates.

[Skip997]

12 minutes ago, Hugh Jass II said:

The guarantee is that you’ll complain.

Not necessarily, I've enjoyed plenty of Glastonbury's.

[Hugh Jass II]

2 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

Not necessarily, I've enjoyed plenty of Glastonbury's.

You never mention those ones.

[Skip997]

4 minutes ago, Hugh Jass II said:

You never mention those ones.

I wrote a description of one, either 2017 or 2019 (can't remember) and started a topic on 1986 (my fav ever), both were largely ignored.

[Hugh Jass II]

Just now, Skip997 said:

I wrote a description of one, either 2017 or 2019 (can't remember) and started a topic on 1986 (my fav ever), both were largely ignored.

That's what happens when you're negative all the time.

[CaledonianGonzo]

When you get visited by the Ghost of Glastonbury Past, the Ghost of Glastonbury Present and the Ghost of Glastonbury Yet To Come but just moan at the latter about how things aren't edgy enough these days.

[Ayrshire Chris]

Macca’s set was immense and loved the surprise of Springsteen guesting. Sam Fender was another highlight for us.   Saw a Beatle and a Zeppelin legend at the same festival!       And great memories of the Pet Shop Boys followed by a last wander from area to area, a few hours just taking in the incredible atmosphere. You just never know if the tickets gods will be kind again. 
 

Edited December 21, 2022 by Ayrshire Chris

[cdm22]

Wet Leg - Confidence Man - Wolf Alice - Sigrid - Phoebe Bridgers - St Vincent - Sugababes - Foals was quite the Friday, the rest is a bit of a blur other than Orla Gartland on the Sunday followed by the Pet Shop Boys when we met up with pretty much everyone we knew there for them which was excellent.

[The Red Telephone]

1 hour ago, Supernintendo Chalmers said:

Being one of the first to get into the Temple on the Thursday night was a real moment. The mad dash to get in to see the needle drop on the first set and standing in the bleachers as the hoards flock towards the booth is always fun, but with the gap between 2019 and 2022, it felt a little more exciting. Thoroughly recommend it as an experience.

Also managed to get in early doors for this. Was a cracking atmosphere!

Can also see myself at 1.36 of this video (The bald guy with the backpack at the back, about 25 years older than everyone else)

 

[Gnomicide]

Great year at camp, most in relatively early, good spec and those that wanted to camp together did so. A couple of sitting by the fire sessions, a lengthy yet extraordinary tale told and lots of hugs.

Musically very good, not the best but I did seem to have at least one act I wanted to be at almost all of the time. That buggered up the chance to spend more time in T&C but you can't have everything. No real issue with the crowds, the ones where I did struggle to get near where my own fault for not planning better. 

Highlights were Macca (obvs), NGHFB (which I expected to enjoy but not that much), Jamie Webster, Brass Against, the second half of Primal Scream, The Snuts, Jessie Malin, Plant & Krauss, Elbow, FAK and The Dance Box.

Weather was ace, feet were sore, can't wait to go back.

Note to self: Don't get swayed by Legends Slot hype.

[stuie]

I don't really even want to mention any artists.  It was just the deep joy of being back there.  A whole week in one of my favourite places filled with friends old and new, laughter, debauchery and experiences. 

Although I did manage a couple of small festivals in 2021, during the dark days I doubted we'd ever get back to Glasto and wondered if it would ever be the same again.  So, while some people found it too busy, I absolutely loved that it was - for me, it was a magical celebration of returning to the life I love. 

I will always remember Glasto 2022 for this reason. 

 

[MEGABOWL]

My ninth and right up there with the best.

After the horrors of 2020/21 just it being on was mind blowing. I was paranoid until the very last that it would get cancelled. In fact being back there was overwhelming at first, there was a little mental barrier stopping me from properly connecting. Felt like I was watching through a window or an out of body experience. 
 

Confidence Man did a lot to shake me out of it, then the Fender set felt like a catharsis in a lot of ways for many that were there. Amazing atmosphere. Foals were way better than I expected and after that it was just a rollercoaster of joy. 
 

Seemed to be a really good atmosphere at everyone I saw, in fact I thought the crowds generally were great. Especially those at the younger end of the scale, they seemed really into it.

It was almost impossible for McCartney to live up to my expectations yet he surpassed them. Noel and HAIM were much better than I expected, then the Sunday is a blur with a joyful Cut Capers set and then the Pet Shop Boys being just about the perfect Sunday closer. 
 

Very emotional at times (I cry when I’m happy so many tears were shed) but just a wonderful weekend. My only worry is how it can possibly be topped.

[Hugh Jass II]

3 minutes ago, MEGABOWL said:

 

Very emotional at times (I cry when I’m happy so many tears were shed) but just a wonderful weekend. My only worry is how it can possibly be topped.

For me it's the opposite, if felt like the perfect one to bow out on.

I'll still be going but from now on it'll be with my kids which will be a completely different experience. This was my last "old school" Glastonbury, and it was perfect.

[Pinhead]

Sleafords with Billie was a highlight. Had recently seen the latter at Bearded on her own and was impressed. Saw myself bopping away on the coverage when I got back. Noel was a moment, and McCartney or course. Roll on June 🙂

[Skip997]

11 minutes ago, Pinhead said:

Sleafords with Billie was a highlight. Had recently seen the latter at Bearded on her own and was impressed. Saw myself bopping away on the coverage when I got back. Noel was a moment, and McCartney or course. Roll on June 🙂

Possibly the single best song of the weekend.

Billie was superb in Leftfield later in the weekend.

[Watergirl]

Enjoyed Paul McCartney's set with Bruce and Dave, though feel sour about Bruce now that he has gone with dynamic ticket pricing. That's not Macca's fault though...  Enjoyed Noel straight before as well.

Discovered Roseanne Reid and bought her album upon getting home.  Also saw Hiroki Okano, a Japanese musician who I had been meaning to see for years. He is always on in the Green Fields. Managed this time and it was well worth it.

Spent all of Thursday afternoon at Strummerville, which was great. Highlights were Ferris & Sylvester and Jesse Malin.

Missed Jack White as was working a volunteer shift when he was on. Saw it on iPlayer afterwards and thought it looked brilliant.  Regret missing Pet Shop Boys.  Could have gone but a moment of extreme tiredness...

[MEGABOWL]

35 minutes ago, Hugh Jass II said:

For me it's the opposite, if felt like the perfect one to bow out on.

I'll still be going but from now on it'll be with my kids which will be a completely different experience. This was my last "old school" Glastonbury, and it was perfect.

Oh that’s excellent.

That new experience is in my not-too-distant future, Ticket Gods permitting. Next year should be special for me though as for the first time since 2013 Mrs.MEGABOWL should be with me. Her folks are retiring in January and have said they’ll look after the kids. We’ve said we wanted one last one just us two so hopefully that will be next year.

[henry bear]

Whilst it had a great lineup (albeit, not 2020 great. Now THAT would have been something), overall it wasn’t my favourite, but I can’t figure out why. 

That said, whilst I have seen ‘better’ Macca performances, those (nearly) three hours on the Pyramid on that glorious Saturday night is, for now at least, probably my favourite performance I’ve ever been at. I’ve watched it many times since then and it never fails to astonish. The highlights come thick and fast, some of which were unexpected, such as Abe’s antics, to an appreciative crowd, during Dance Tonight. Indeed the crowd for Macca played a huge part in the magic. Hats off too to these fellas, doing this during Ob-La-Di, although I’m glad I wasn’t stood behind them

 

[Wherethewildthingsare]

Great year for us, the weather was perfect, paced it well. Highlights were Kraungbin, Macca, Pet Shop Boys, Ziggy Marley opening and a lot of wandering, chatting with strangers and random dancing etc. it was too crowded at times - never not been able to get near the Stone Circle on a Wednesday (spent it at the Park instead) or Williams Green on a Thursday (spent in SE corner instead)

[gfa]

5 hours ago, Supernintendo Chalmers said:

Being one of the first to get into the Temple on the Thursday night was a real moment. The mad dash to get in to see the needle drop on the first set and standing in the bleachers as the hoards flock towards the booth is always fun, but with the gap between 2019 and 2022, it felt a little more exciting. Thoroughly recommend it as an experience.

definitely need to do this in 23, got a lot more DNB fans with us next year.

I never made it to any of the major SE corner venues bar iicon

[Pipine]

I had a great year, loved my first time working for the recycle crew, the line up was pretty much perfect with all my current favourite bands playing and over 40 acts I really wanted to see. Enjoyed hanging out in the crew bars for the first time despite also being crew in 2019.

I missed the night time wanderings quite a bit (had to be up early for shifts) and probably didn’t see so much non music stuff which I normally love.  So despite loving the epic line up I think I could do with a quieter year on the music side next year so I can mooch around seeing more randomness. 

On reflection I think I probably spent too much of it on my own dashing to see various bands which none of my gang wanted to see.. it’s nice to share the experience with your friends, I did get chatting to lots of lovely people in the crowd but I’m looking forward to seeing more things with my friends next year. 

 

Edited December 21, 2022 by Pipine