Glastonbury 2017

[Skip997]

Arrived on the Saturday prior to the event. It was brutally hot, too hot. Fortunately all I have to do is sit in a field checking in crew live in vehicles, I really felt sorry for those doing manual labour especially the riggers, and doubly so those working at inside the circus tent, it was around 50c at the top (inside) that venue.

The build up is lovely, meeting up with old friends, chilling in the crew bars and watching the set up. Finished my shifts on Wednesday, took a walk round site and ended up in the Bloc 9 crew bar, my favourite in the SE corner. Spent Thursday chilling out until the Orb at the Glade, nice to hear them live for the first time, taking me back to my Manchester clubbing days. Then headed over to Shangri La for some old school, very bass heavy reggae and a late night visit to the "secret backstage (Truth stage) bar to catch up with more old mates.

Friday comes and I'm expecting it to be the best musically. The first act I see is Kate Tempest (West Holts), I don't generally do early at Glastonbury. Now I expected a good show, I've been following Kate (not stalking) since her early days and watched her get better and better, but this was on another level, one of the best shows I seen at this festival. I'm sure she hardly took a breath for the first 20 minutes and only stopped for about a minute in her hour set. She is a rare talent and rapidly becoming a spokesperson for a generation, people were literally in tears. This set was the first indication that I was about to experience the most politically charged Glastonbury I've witnessed (I've been around 20 times).

Next up Sleaford Mods (The Park), not much to say really, "does what it says on the tin", good fun and a little bit "dancy". Straight over to The Other Stage, fortunately it's not too far, for Major Lazer, not quite a major disappointment, but not as good as I expected and these were the artists I was most looking forward to. Not really having a plan I decided to take a look at Silver Hayes being relatively close. The whole area was weirdly quiet, all venues relatively empty, in fact nowhere seemed that busy compared to last year, maybe the lack of mud encouraged more movement. Ended up at The Blues, an outdoor venue built to resemble a Jamaican shanty town. This has been a favourite of mine since it first appeared a few years back, although slightly disappointing that night as the DJ's were playing some sort of techno/house music, okay but not brilliant. Then it rained, not heavy but persistent, the back half of the venue is covered so filled rapidly. Eventually I got bored and headed to the SE corner and back to the reggae venue till it closed at 5am.

Saturday, another late start, after a sauna I headed towards the Pyramid Stage for Run the Jewels. Of course this meant I would run into the Corbyn crowd, and for the first time since the 90's I got caught in a bottle neck in the main markets. Fortunately it was not as bad as crowds 25 years ago in the days of large scale fence-jumping and I soon realised I could squeeze through sideways (across the flow) and got to the edge of the Pyramid crowd just in time for Mr Corbyn. To be fair he was very inspirational, accompanied by the obligatory "Oh Jeremy Corbyn" song, a recurrent theme of this years event. Fortunately at least half the crowd dispersed when he finished, leaving plenty of room to dance to an excellent hip hop band, I'm not a great fan fan of artists engaging in crowd banter, but RTJ were very good at it, original and genuinely funny, with a touch of politics to keep this years theme going.

Next up Toots and the Maytals (West Holts) for some afternoon roots reggae, however they didn't show, couldn't get there in time. Apparently they did a slot in Shangri La later that night. After a bit of a chill and some food I thought I'd take a chance and check out what the youth are listening to, Stormzy on The Other Stage. I'm thinking this will either be brilliant or extremely annoying. In the end it was neither, being somewhere in the middle but engaging enough to stay for the whole set. Again there was a heavy political edge to his set, especially in regards to Grenfell. Interestingly his first track reminded me slightly of 2Pac, high praise indeed.

Saturday night was a bit chaotic and broken up. I found myself "escorting" three gorgeous women friends for the night. They were extremely grateful for my knowledge of the site. First stop, West Holts for the Jacksons, not really sure about this one, it could be spectacular, it could be embarrassing. In the end it was okay, but we didn't last the whole set, poignant for the fact that it was the anniversary of Michael's death.  We headed for The Avalon Stage, not a favourite of mine as they unerringly book poor acts (in my opinion), however tonight was an exception with the wonderfully original and energetic Dohl (sp) Foundation. Plenty of space and plenty of dancing. The rest of the night was chaotic with brief stops at Shangri La, The Common, Bloc 9 crew bar, Arcadia Crew Bar, Arcadia Arena and The Rabbit Hole (The Park Crew Bar with limited public access), finally ending up alone in the Reggae venue (Shangri La) till close at 6am.

Sunday is often my best day at Glastonbury and this year was no exception. Again a late start music wise, although I did spend a couple of enjoyable hours taking my friends kids to the Circus tent (something I've not done before). Next up Chic on the Pyramid. I was half expecting to be disappointed having seen their incredible headline performance on West Holts a few years back. I should have known better, Nile Rogers is a true musical genius and genuine legend, Again there was a political edge, including a touching anecdote about his involvement with the Grenfell relief operation.

Now for a bit of quality dub/dance hall/ reggae with a modern twist, the wonderful Gentlemen's  Dub Club (The Glade), one the finest contemporary live bands.

I was in two minds about which head-liner to see; Boy Better Know, highly recommended and apparently the best of grime/contemporary British Hip Hop, or Justice of whom I know little but I liked what I'd read and the little I'd listened to pre festival. I chose Justice. I'd not yet seen a big spectacular set this year (Major Lazer should have been that act). I was astonished, a truly stunning performance in front of very large and enthusiastic West Holts crowd. A great end to the main stages for another year or two. But it's not over yet, back to The Glade for one of my favourite old school musicians, Steve Hillage as System 7, never disappoints. I usually see Ronnie Size at Glastonbury and this year was no exception as I headed over to Arcadia to see him, preceded by Fabio and Grooverider, old school indeed. Back to Shangri La for the last few hours, where I stumbled upon an excellent new reggae outfit, The Future Dub Project and had my best dance of the weekend. Followed by more reggae till the sun rose to signal the end of another excellent Glastonbury.

[moogster]

Sunday 2017 was so good for me that it was a tiny part of why the half forced decision to skip the next fest hurt a little less. I thought it couldn't get better. And brilliantly the only act in common with your Sunday was Chic. Glasto power.

[Walter Sobchak]

2017  was my favourite out of my 10 visits to the farm!

 

 

[gigpusher]

2017 was my perfect festival even my one thing I did that I didn’t intend which was take a break by the Summerhouse stage because I was knackered instead of going to West Holts to see Toots ended up being a blessing as they didn’t turn up. I was front row for Kae’s set and of their main stage performances probably the best they have ever done. 
 

Chic were also fabulous! Just a wonderful year from start to finish! 

[Skip997]

7 minutes ago, gigpusher said:

. I was front row for Kae’s set and of their main stage performances probably the best they have ever done. 
 

It was insane, these things are hard to judge over the years, esp when comparing genres, but it may well have been the greatest performance I've ever seen

Seems the whole set is still up on YouTube

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by Skip997

[fred quimby]

@Skip997 do you keep a diary, if not you have a great memory. I need to look at who I saw

[Skip997]

10 minutes ago, fred quimby said:

@Skip997 do you keep a diary, if not you have a great memory. I need to look at who I saw

This was written just after the festival and even then I had to refer to the programme.

I only started doing it that year, so no 2018 (wasn't on that year), I've posted 2019 on here.

There's no 2022 as I didn't have the best of times and couldn't bare writing it.

Strangely I could probably do one for 1985 from memory, but after that it all becomes one.

Maybe I'll do 1985 later.

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by Skip997

[Crazyfool01]

9 minutes ago, fred quimby said:

@Skip997 do you keep a diary, if not you have a great memory. I need to look at who I saw

I thought the exact same thing 

[fred quimby]

2 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

This was written just after the festival and even then I had to refer to the programme.

I only started doing it that year, so no 2018 (wasn't on that year), I've posted 2019 on here.

There's no 2022 as I didn't have the best of times and couldn't bare writing it.

 

I remember your 2019 write up.  The best modern Glastonbury I have been to, maybe out of all of them

[gigpusher]

33 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

It was insane, these things are hard to judge over the years, esp when comparing genres, but it may well have been the greatest performance I've ever seen

Seems the whole set is still up on YouTube

 

Yes it was definitely in the special category. I was stood next to 2 friends and one was a big fan and the other had never seen them. What a baptism of fire for that to be the first performance! 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

All I remember about 2017 is Justice on West Holts followed by Fabio & the 'Rider on Arcadia. The perfect ending to a blur of a weekend, not always for good reasons 

[bennyhana22]

41 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

It was insane, these things are hard to judge over the years, esp when comparing genres, but it may well have been the greatest performance I've ever seen

Seems the whole set is still up on YouTube

 

It was terrific, spellbinding at the end, with one of the most respectful, attentive crowds I've ever been in at a festival.

However...

For sheer, exuberant joy, I think I enjoyed their Other Stage set last year even more. Partly because their latest record is my favourite, but they seemed just overwhelmed by the rapturous reception that we gave them. In my top 5 moments from GF2022.

Ben

Edited February 22, 2023 by bennyhana22

[gigpusher]

5 minutes ago, bennyhana22 said:

It was terrific, spellbinding at the end, with one of the most respectful, attentive crowds I've ever been in at a festival.

However...

For sheer, exuberant joy, I think I enjoyed their Other Stage set last year even more. Partly because their latest record is my favourite, but they seemed just overwhelmed by the rapturous reception that we gave them. In my top 5 moments from GF2022.

Ben

The first time I have missed Kae since 2014 I think and was gutted when I realised it hadn’t been filmed! 

[bennyhana22]

2 minutes ago, gigpusher said:

The first time I have missed Kae since 2014 I think and was gutted when I realised it hadn’t been filmed! 

Oh no!

I guess it was too early in the day for the BBC broadcast. I thought it was 'too early' for an artist of their stature, but in fact it was the perfect set to get me excited for the rest of the day. When the spoken word set in Shangri-La was announced on the area poster drop I was worried that they wouldn't be doing a musical set, as they had said they weren't going to be around all weekend. When the full line-up dropped...YES!

Ben

[gigpusher]

Just now, bennyhana22 said:

Oh no!

I guess it was too early in the day for the BBC broadcast. I thought it was 'too early' for an artist of their stature, but in fact it was the perfect set to get me excited for the rest of the day. When the spoken word set in Shangri-La was announced on the area poster drop I was worried that they wouldn't be doing a musical set, as they had said they weren't going to be around all weekend. When the full line-up dropped...YES!

Ben

Yes I know they normally don’t film the opening act but the second act I was sure would be on which is why I decided to make sure I was in a good spot for the Wet Leg/Confidence Man. Got home and couldn’t find the set and was gutted! Glad you enjoyed it though. 

[Mezhyp1]

A lot of blurry memories of Radiohead, Justice and Steffi & Virginia churning this out of Genosys about 6am on Sunday morning 

 

 

One of my favourite ever moments on the farm 

Edited February 22, 2023 by Mezhyp1

[2019]

I think it was 2017. It was chuffing hot, we found shade in the circus tent. There was an act from Oz doing a skit on menstruation. I think.

 

[Ayrshire Chris]

Excellent recollections, apart from the bands I do remember on the Wednesday or maybe it was Thursday cramming into the woods at the JP field desperate for shade, folk had decided just to sit on the paths in the wood. Things cooled and it was one of the best. 

[Superscally]

Love ya Skip x

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

1 hour ago, Mezhyp1 said:

A lot of blurry memories of Radiohead, Justice and Steffi & Virginia churning this out of Genosys about 6am on Sunday morning 

 

 

One of my favourite ever moments on the farm 

Is there anything better than a stone cold classic being dropped midway through a set, taking you unawares? Had something similar in the summer with FJAAK. About halfway through they dropped Vamp by Outlander. The rush from hearing an old favourite is one of the best things about the dance music genre

[Skip997]

1 hour ago, bennyhana22 said:

Oh no!

I guess it was too early in the day for the BBC broadcast. I thought it was 'too early' for an artist of their stature,

Too early for me.

[Franky]

2017 was great….. but cold! 
 

2010 all over again 💪

[fred quimby]

39 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

Too early for me.

You need to get to bed earlier 😉

[kalifire]

4 hours ago, 2019 said:

I think it was 2017. It was chuffing hot, we found shade in the circus tent. There was an act from Oz doing a skit on menstruation. I think.

Yes, that’s what stopped 2017 from being perfect for me. It was so hot, I missed sets from acts I was looking forward to seeing just to crash in the cabaret tent or some shade somewhere. Or was that 2019? I’m not sure. Both contained scorchers. 

[Suprefan]

Shaggy in the Gully with all that terrible weed being smoked was my Sunday night sendoff for 2017. Kano closing The Park down was amazing.