Glastonbury 2013

[wub]

Fair enough, I haven't gone and am willing to believe that Glastonbury has its own particular atmosphere. I was just referring to the waves of spontaneous cheering thing

I've heard it happen elsewhere, certainly, but it's never a feature like it is at Glastonbury. Wednesday afternoon in the Jazzworld field to watching the first sunset in the Stone Circle is one of the most special atmospheres I can think of - no music, just a field full of people drinking cider, smiling at each other and cheering because they made it back for one more year. It seemed to start properly in about 2002 after the gap in 2001... everyone was just so happy to be home. That only really happens in crowds where some people have been going for decades - that's why Roskilde comes close, but most of the others don't really figure.

Any festival can feel like an adventure for the weekend warriors, but Glastonbury manages to feel like a home-away-from-home to its regulars at the same time. It's different from any other festival I've been to... this year will be my 12th (I think), and I'll do my best to go every time its held until one of us dies.

Hippy.

[magma]

[Liam92]

Only festival I've done is T in the Park, which was a good laugh, but it doesn't amount to much more than a gig and piss up in a field plus it's full a stnuc. Dying to do glasto!

[wilson]

Maybe one year

[joeki]

Sounds like a similar atmosphere to Pukkelpop in Belgium (http://www.pukkelpop.be/nl/) although that is only three days. And they have been 'rejuvenating' their line-up and styles in recent years to gain a wider (younger) audience but, it probably has the most of those 'traditional' attenders (who've been going for years and years) who treat it like their summer holiday.

I'm not going any more (I went a couple of times, last time I did was 2010, in 2011 the festival was cancelled after a major storm that killed 5 people at the festival...). I feel like an old man between those kids and also, feel alienated from a lot of music (last time I went they had Plastikman live show though, which is one of the sickest things I've ever seen at any festival).

I don't know, I think Dour has its own particular atmosphere, but it's more like a controlled free for all. I actually don't think that it is a positive thing when I'm stuck at a camping ground and missing the artists I came to see. I'm on the festival grounds from 5 to 5 seeing music (which is common at Dour, don't know that many festivals that keep the stages going 'till 5am).
I've not been to any of the others in your list also.

[Genevieve]

Word, the Pukkelpop line-up has been declining a lot. Especially this year. 2009 was great though. The first year I went.

[magma]

I don't know, I think Dour has its own particular atmosphere, but it's more like a controlled free for all. I actually don't think that it is a positive thing when I'm stuck at a camping ground and missing the artists I came to see. I'm on the festival grounds from 5 to 5 seeing music (which is common at Dour, don't know that many festivals that keep the stages going 'till 5am).
I've not been to any of the others in your list also.

I was meant to be going to Pukkelpop a few years ago, but had to cancel the trip. That looks like a great one - my girl at the time went and enjoyed it.

Dour had a good atmosphere and the music policy/stages make it absolutely superb - I'd go again in a flash, tbh but it's not on Glastonbury's level.

- gate between stages and tents meaning you're thinking about getting searched all the time or having to leave the stages to "top up".
- 6 stages compared to Glastonbury's 20 "main" stages and 100 in total.
- no visible "hippy"/free love heritage. People were getting fucked up without a care in the world which is lovely, but it didn't feel loved up like Glastonbury or Roskilde. I saw at least one fight and the drug dealers wouldn't sell to me (but would to my Aussie girlfriend at the time). Maybe I was unlucky, but in 13 years of Glastonbury I've never come across aggro from anyone - Glastonbury and hippies tend to go hand in hand as it's still largely an Oxfam/WaterAid/CND fundraiser.

[meanmrcustard]

Lineup seems to be getting a fair amount of stick, but there's plenty there that's going to keep me busy. Portishead Friday night at the Other Stage is going to be pretty special.

I guess there aren't too many huge Blockbuster names outside of the Stones though, who probably took a fair chunk of the artists' budget. That said, what's been announced is a tiny section of the overall lineup, there's going to be loads more stuff to be announced, including most of the late night stuff, which is the best stuff.

Can only echo the above though, the lineup is so unimportant when it comes to Glastonbury. In fact, I think it's almost better when there isn't a huge amount you want to see and you can afford to kick back a bit more and enjoy the site and just go exploring. I think my favourite ever Glastonbury was 2008, when I was actually pretty disappointed with the lineup and didn't see a huge amount. It's kinda difficult to explain to people who haven't been before why it's 'not just about the music, man'. I've been to every one for nearly a decade now and I can honestly say I know I'll want to go whatever the lineup is. It's my favourite place in the world. Easily. I still get lost and find new little areas every year.

[joeki]

Oh yeah most certainly: Dour is not a PLUR festival. You also have to watch your back for thieves. My m8s car got broken into last year, along with thirty others lol.
They have some reggae/dub/sound system and rastafari culture thing going, but other than that it's usually hard against hard, a free for all and survival of the fittest. I don't take any valuables with me. I come as I am and leave with what I have left. Comfort is not an option lol.

The security at Dour is lenient enough though. You might get searched but then again, you most likely will not. Policy doesn't allow cans on the camping ground (like every festival in Belgium, the camping ground is on agricultural land where cows and shit usually roam...). But you can get anything in there if you are desperate enough.
Whereas at Pukkelpop, Werchter or Tommorwland, you WILL get searched. In fact, at Tomorrowland, people will actively seek out weed smokers and drug dealers: only festival to do so here I think: is that really the best festival experience in the world? I think it is mostly for posh assholes.
The bottlecaps thing is annoying (especially when it is like 30°C) but beer prices over here aren't outrageous. 2-2,5€ for a beer is manageable (some clubs are more expensive).

That's a nice pic btw. But 10 stages...wow never realised it was that big..how many visitors are we talking daily? I think I would get a little freaked if it is too crowded. 60.000 a day is really the limit for me for an environment in which I would feel completely comfortable (unless there is space enough with 10 stages I can imagine that isn't a problem).
I was never a main stage guy though. I don't want to come off all hipster (portishead I would deffo go see on a main stage) but most of that shit doesn't interest me and usually the sound quality suffers and you are like a million miles away from the actual stage surrounded by fans but also by a lot of people who simply don't have anything better to do/see which sometimes really hurts the atmosphere!

[PinUp]

I just want to get back to Boomtown!

Glasto does look sick but it seems like it might be a bit too big if anything!!

[AxeD]

The fact that it's so big really doesn't appeal to me. Also, I'm sure they will announce a ton of great names in the future,
but right now the line-up flyer is dumping poop in my cereal. Few kernels of sunshine excluded.

Obviously a grand experience, even if it's just for the vibe of a festival like this.
I do love how it's not sold out within 20 minutes

[magma]

That's a nice pic btw. But 10 stages...wow never realised it was that big..how many visitors are we talking daily? I think I would get a little freaked if it is too crowded. 60.000 a day is really the limit for me for an environment in which I would feel completely comfortable (unless there is space enough with 10 stages I can imagine that isn't a problem).
I was never a main stage guy though. I don't want to come off all hipster (portishead I would deffo go see on a main stage) but most of that shit doesn't interest me and usually the sound quality suffers and you are like a million miles away from the actual stage surrounded by fans but also by a lot of people who simply don't have anything better to do/see which sometimes really hurts the atmosphere!

I think they've sold about 150,000 weekend tickets this year (they don't do day ones - locals might still be able to get Sunday tickets), but with all the volunteers and staff it's more like 250,000 on site for the whole weekend and pretty much everyone goes to see something each day even if they're working. There's very rarely a dead moment on any of the stages and if a headliner happens that the majority can agree on (REM in '99, Paul McCartney in '05, Beyonce in '11) the crowd in main field can start to look like they're on the Hajj!



But you can still listen from the comfort of your tent if you don't want to join the throng.



I agree in the main about the main stages though, which is why I tend to pick festivals for atmosphere rather than lineup these days. The thing about Glastonbury is that is has everything - I used to enjoy it when I was a teenager wanting to see all the latest bands and pop acts just as much as I do now trawling the online listings for secret shows and obscure DJs. One of my fondest recent memories is of being able to walk between Stevie Wonder who my girl and a lot of my friends wanted to see and Four Tet who I really wanted to see. The choice on offer can be amazing.

It's been 10 years since I've really spent an extended amount of time in front of the Pyramid (the main stage) or the Other - the after-hours areas Shangri La/Arcadia and the Dance Field (8 or 9 stages dedicated to electronic music) have been more likely stomping grounds for the last few years. Block 9 has been absolutely incredible for the last 2 years... it might just be the best nightclub in England and it's not even a real nightclub. MJ Cole tore the roof off last time I was in there.

[gwa]

all i can say is FREEROTATION


that is all

[joeki]

all i can say is FREEROTATION


that is all

Seems like Boilerroom to me line-up is good though.

[wolf89]

Fuck line up is really good.

I need to go again. Shame I didn't get a ticket this year. They have those cancelled tickets back on sale in April don't they? Kind of tempting.

[Forum]

I didn't take a shit for 3 days i remember that much

[wolf89]

It's all about going for a shit at the long drop ones when they're still empty. That way you get to still sit on a toilet but you're in the fresh air and have the bonus of shitting off a great height.

[gwa]

all i can say is FREEROTATION


that is all

Seems like Boilerroom to me line-up is good though.

don't try and joke your way back in to my good books you h&m wanker!!!

[DJoe]

Grant Nelson & Kerri Chandler

[AxeD]

What am I missing in this line up?

If there's 150.000 tickets, why are there 100 stages? Festivals I've been to have around 60.000 people with max 20 stages.