The Future of Glastonbury

[gfa]

10 minutes ago, ProperTea said:

I'm pretty sure if you add together everyone who camps in Worthy View (which itself is 10,000 capacity), Sticklinch, the Pop Up Hotel, Camp Kerala, Love Fields and the like, you are already very quickly heading towards 25% of the ticketed punters staying in pre erected accommodation as it is.

They don't get money for half these things though, so when talking about glampers subsidising general admission they don't count for much.

Sticklinch was a pretty recent major expansion, its only done 2 fests so i reckon it will be at least a year or two before the next big glamping expansion

[ProperTea]

3 minutes ago, gfa said:

They don't get money for half these things though, so when talking about glampers subsidising general admission they don't count for much.

Sticklinch was a pretty recent major expansion, its only done 2 fests so i reckon it will be at least a year or two before the next big glamping expansion

No you're right, just WV and Sticklinch that they run, but the demand is already there.

The fact the campsites are still so busy despite so many ticketholders camping offsite is probably a testament to the fact it's so easy to bunk in these days.

Edited July 2, 2023 by ProperTea

[Ayrshire Chris]

2 hours ago, ProperTea said:

No you're right, just WV and Sticklinch that they run, but the demand is already there.

The fact the campsites are still so busy despite so many ticketholders camping offsite is probably a testament to the fact it's so easy to bunk in these days.

That’s something I noticed more this year. Leaving Avalon tent before Jamie Webster was due on we saw at least 15 people, mostly young lads, heading in the tent without wristbands. Everyday we saw lots without them. Is there any reason why someone should not have even one band unless you are Elton. Maybe there is. Are stewards asked  to challenge those without them? Dunno.  I suppose once they’ve sneaked it all they have to do is bunk down in a pals tent who actually has a ticket.  
 

[ICGenie]

Maybe there needs to be more security throughout the site, random wristband checking?

[Isaact]

Sneaking in is part of it, as long as the numbers are safe then don't begrudge people who've done it, live and let live.

And I say that as someone who's never gone without a ticket.

[gfa]

21 minutes ago, Isaact said:

Sneaking in is part of it, as long as the numbers are safe then don't begrudge people who've done it, live and let live.

And I say that as someone who's never gone without a ticket.

A lot of people would agree the numbers weren't safe last year

where do we draw the line? when someone gets serious injured or killed?

---

I think this year was fine and concerns have been addressed for the most part, but just wanted to point out that a lot of people did think numbers weren't safe last year in combination with other factors.

[Isaact]

Random wristband checking and continuous security grabbing people and kicking them out would totally kill the vibe of the festival, and as mentioned the crowds were fine again this year.

[Suprefan]

2 hours ago, Isaact said:

Random wristband checking and continuous security grabbing people and kicking them out would totally kill the vibe of the festival, and as mentioned the crowds were fine again this year.

So youre saying let them all do what they want until somebody has an incident. Then when there is an investigation youre going to panic because theyll discover all of the sneaking in and such and then harsher measures will be implemented.

[clarkete]

6 hours ago, gfa said:

I can get a national express from london to swansea, a 5 hour journey for £9

There's no way it costs as much as they charge to run the coaches - places a similar distance away currently can cost up to £20 different for no apparent reason too.

Regardless - its more money than they'd be making from car parking surely? + good for environment, less traffic and all that jazz

Wait, you can get a coach to the most popular destination in the country and into a pre-built and already staffed coach station?   Well blow me down with a feather 😉

So you're not attempting to include any additional costs? 

They're building a temporary coach park for a week, constructing some coach parking somewhere else, getting in a ton of different staff who clearly are good at what they do as the two important things happen - everybody gets despatched and nobody is run over. 

What's the difference between a NE fare to Glastonbury town and to the festival? 

[gfa]

1 hour ago, clarkete said:

Wait, you can get a coach to the most popular destination in the country and into a pre-built and already staffed coach station?   Well blow me down with a feather 😉

So you're not attempting to include any additional costs? 

They're building a temporary coach park for a week, constructing some coach parking somewhere else, getting in a ton of different staff who clearly are good at what they do as the two important things happen - everybody gets despatched and nobody is run over. 

What's the difference between a NE fare to Glastonbury town and to the festival? 

Fair enough

Still though - more coaches is only a good thing, means people bringing less food and booze in, less traffic, less pollution and better economies of scale

[philipsteak]

1 hour ago, clarkete said:

Wait, you can get a coach to the most popular destination in the country and into a pre-built and already staffed coach station?   Well blow me down with a feather 😉

So you're not attempting to include any additional costs? 

They're building a temporary coach park for a week, constructing some coach parking somewhere else, getting in a ton of different staff who clearly are good at what they do as the two important things happen - everybody gets despatched and nobody is run over. 

What's the difference between a NE fare to Glastonbury town and to the festival? 

Also, not everyone on that coach is paying £9.

[MEGABOWL]

On 7/1/2023 at 6:48 PM, robith said:

Not totally comparable, as it was a much smaller pool of people, but ATP thought they could get the same 5k people to go to four festivals a year. Worked out well for them and their creditors. Oh.

Same principle. Never take things for granted.

[Festival Sounds Podcast]

7 hours ago, Ayrshire Chris said:

That’s something I noticed more this year. Leaving Avalon tent before Jamie Webster was due on we saw at least 15 people, mostly young lads, heading in the tent without wristbands. Everyday we saw lots without them. Is there any reason why someone should not have even one band unless you are Elton. Maybe there is. Are stewards asked  to challenge those without them? Dunno.  I suppose once they’ve sneaked it all they have to do is bunk down in a pals tent who actually has a ticket.  
 

Lots of legitimate reasons for not having a wristband. Few examples:

- Chefs for hygiene reasons (can be on their ankle)

- Village ticket guests

- Production on initial entry waiting to be accredited at their work area (can be on any of the days)

- Circus performers for safety reasons

Stewards won’t challenge, security can but won’t because of the legitimate reasons above. Just end up wasting their time. Only becomes an issue if security pull you up for something else and you are in the eviction process.

[clarkete]

4 hours ago, gfa said:

Fair enough

Still though - more coaches is only a good thing, means people bringing less food and booze in, less traffic, less pollution and better economies of scale

Absolutely I fully agree with your intentions, I've got coach several times and even for an old git it was a great service and a good trip and both arriving and departing have always worked OK.  TBH even the time I went from Bristol to London to get a secret resale coach I was still delighted about - as it meant I was going to the festival 🙂 

The only thing I'm not confident about is when anyone refers to the margins for certain aspects of the festival.  I tend to think that, as with most large organisations with multiple third parties involved, it's best to assume that the costs are larger than you first think and the profits are therefore smaller.

[gooner1990]

9 hours ago, Ayrshire Chris said:

That’s something I noticed more this year. Leaving Avalon tent before Jamie Webster was due on we saw at least 15 people, mostly young lads, heading in the tent without wristbands. Everyday we saw lots without them. Is there any reason why someone should not have even one band unless you are Elton. Maybe there is. Are stewards asked  to challenge those without them? Dunno.  I suppose once they’ve sneaked it all they have to do is bunk down in a pals tent who actually has a ticket.  
 

On the Friday night this year one of my friends stayed in the South East Corner till 6am then walked back to our camp in Paines via the Stone Circle and the Park (said he wanted the more scenic walk!)

As he walked through the Park near the Ribbon tower security came racing past and bundled three guys to the floor all who didn’t have any wristbands on. 

[clarkete]

8 minutes ago, gooner1990 said:

On the Friday night this year one of my friends stayed in the South East Corner till 6am then walked back to our camp in Paines via the Stone Circle and the Park (said he wanted the more scenic walk!)

As he walked through the Park near the Ribbon tower security came racing past and bundled three guys to the floor all who didn’t have any wristbands on. 

I've read a few accounts elsewhere of people saying they saw the odd person without a wristband being escorted.

[Crazyfool01]

thread bump ... given the talk in headliner thread today 

[CharlotteB]

Speaking of the future of Glastonbury, I remember a similar discussion for potential improvements when I was here years ago. I suggested some things they could do to use more green energy and make the festival carbon neutral. I was absolutely LAMBASTED by people saying the festival does enough already, and that it wasn't possible. Years and years later, the festival has gradually done pretty much everything I said. Not to blow my own trumpet too much, but I feel vindicated, and happy that the festival organisers have great ambition and foresight to make things even more ethical ❤️

Edited February 17 by CharlotteB

[clarkete]

2 hours ago, CharlotteB said:

Speaking of the future of Glastonbury, I remember a similar discussion for potential improvements when I was here years ago. I suggested some things they could do to use more green energy and make the festival carbon neutral. I was absolutely LAMBASTED by people saying the festival does enough already, and that it wasn't possible. Years and years later, the festival has gradually done pretty much everything I said. Not to blow my own trumpet too much, but I feel vindicated, and happy that the festival organisers have great ambition and foresight to make things even more ethical ❤️

 

[Derby_Dave]

On 4/19/2023 at 1:49 PM, stuie said:

40 years from now, Emily Eavis, 83, will be telling us it was the best one ever and still the greatest show on earth.

While she is still the public face of the festival, behind the scenes, all of the booking and directive decisions are made by her three children. 

Festival Republic no longer exists. 

After an epic Rolling Stones headline set on their farewell tour.

[LeeHC]

On 7/2/2023 at 3:13 PM, ICGenie said:

Maybe there needs to be more security throughout the site, random wristband checking?

Security do this- albeit it seems less than they used to. I've seen people nabbed this way. 

Mind you, if you're a fast runner you can just run the gate- heard security radio chatter about this happening. Guy was all in black and legged it so fast he got lost in the crowd, I doubt they even got him..

[gherkin8r]

On 2/17/2024 at 8:08 AM, CharlotteB said:

Speaking of the future of Glastonbury, I remember a similar discussion for potential improvements when I was here years ago. I suggested some things they could do to use more green energy and make the festival carbon neutral. I was absolutely LAMBASTED by people saying the festival does enough already, and that it wasn't possible. Years and years later, the festival has gradually done pretty much everything I said. Not to blow my own trumpet too much, but I feel vindicated, and happy that the festival organisers have great ambition and foresight to make things even more ethical ❤️

You're the best 

[Neil]

On 2/17/2024 at 8:08 AM, CharlotteB said:

Speaking of the future of Glastonbury, I remember a similar discussion for potential improvements when I was here years ago. I suggested some things they could do to use more green energy and make the festival carbon neutral. I was absolutely LAMBASTED by people saying the festival does enough already, and that it wasn't possible. Years and years later, the festival has gradually done pretty much everything I said. Not to blow my own trumpet too much, but I feel vindicated, and happy that the festival organisers have great ambition and foresight to make things even more ethical ❤️

theres been a topic with the same title ibn the past - Glastonbury has been at the forefront of greening things for over 40 years, and has helped a lot of things become mainstream. (that's probably been  its biggest social impact.

[clarkete]

Some eye-watering cost increases  mentioned here

"Ella Nosworthy, who runs Nostock in Herefordshire, saw the cost of hosting her 5,000-capacity event soar by 40% since the pandemic. Rostron says the build price of one event, meaning assembling stages, bars etc, rose from £400,000 in 2019 to £900,000 in 2023."

https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2024/feb/22/uks-position-as-live-music-leader-at-stake-nine-festivals-cancel-amid-rising-costs

Edited February 22 by clarkete

[km9]

On 2/17/2024 at 8:08 AM, CharlotteB said:

Speaking of the future of Glastonbury, I remember a similar discussion for potential improvements when I was here years ago. I suggested some things they could do to use more green energy and make the festival carbon neutral. I was absolutely LAMBASTED by people saying the festival does enough already, and that it wasn't possible. Years and years later, the festival has gradually done pretty much everything I said. Not to blow my own trumpet too much, but I feel vindicated, and happy that the festival organisers have great ambition and foresight to make things even more ethical ❤️

Once a few people start having a go at you on the Internet it becomes very easy for everyone else to pile on. Good for you for daring to think differently.

Stay away from the politicis thread, independent thinking is very much frowned upon there.

Edited February 23 by km9