Let's Hear it for Glastonbury

[Palace Old Geezer]

I'm too old and decrepit to go to festivals nowadays, but like to dip into the Beeb's fabulous coverage. It'd be good to see what you think of some of the acts. I always like to watch some of the fringe stuff.

Gary Numan - still weird after all these years.

Can't believe it was 30 years ago that Pulp first performed there.

 

[Forest Hillbilly]

Glastonbury has changed massively, since the mid 1990s, when the steel fence went up and Eavis sold some security arrangements to Mean Fiddler.
I went years ago, and now I can only echo Bruce Dickinson's comments (of Iron Maiden)

He doesn't want to play to Gwyneth Paltrow and people in perfume infested yurts.

That, and the BBC coverage making instant nostalgia, has me totally disinterested. Families arriving from Sussex in their Mercedes 4x4, all booked into their luxury eco-cabins. Reminds me of how the middle classes stole football from the working man.

 

[Palace Old Geezer]

Glastonbury has changed massively, since the mid 1990s, when the steel fence went up and Eavis sold some security arrangements to Mean Fiddler.
I went years ago, and now I can only echo Bruce Dickinson's comments (of Iron Maiden)

He doesn't want to play to Gwyneth Paltrow and people in perfume infested yurts.

That, and the BBC coverage making instant nostalgia, has me totally disinterested. Families arriving from Sussex in their Mercedes 4x4, all booked into their luxury eco-cabins. Reminds me of how the middle classes stole football from the working man.

I don't disagree with you FH about the changes in the way some folk treat the event.

I just look at all those kids smiling faces having a great time and wish I could be among them. And, after all, it's about the performances. Some good, some bloody awful. Pulp were good by the way.

 

[Forest Hillbilly]

yeah, probably a lot of jealousy from me. We had a 5hitty tent from Millets that let in water and made raincoats out of black bags. It was only the alcohol and drugs that stopped us getting really ill.
Arrived late on Thursday, and all the toilets were pristine and you could go for a 5hit with no worries. Early Friday, the Welsh arrived and the toilets were unusable for the rest of the weekend.
No kids. Rolf Harris was still performing at Glastonbury in 1993, and I think the dire conditions also kept children away.
Today, prices and costs have gone through the roof. But how nice it must be to have a reserved seat in the VIP area, and bar service. Musicians and celebrities flying in from all over the place. And to know that your tent and belongings hasn't been stolen, and scousers haven't robbed your car, so you have to hitch a lift home.

 

[Palace Old Geezer]

Well done FH. Glad to know you've experienced Glastonbury in the raw.

Now watching the EZRA Collective. Wow! What a fabulous act. Bunch of kids who met through youth clubs playing funky jazz. The crowd loved them, as did I.

A joyful example of the variety of acts. Loved it.

 

[samprior]

Well done FH. Glad to know you've experienced Glastonbury in the raw.

Now watching the EZRA Collective. Wow! What a fabulous act. Bunch of kids who met through youth clubs playing funky jazz. The crowd loved them, as did I.

A joyful example of the variety of acts. Loved it.

Yep that's the best thing I've seen on the coverage so far. Nice bunch of lads too.

 

[Palace Old Geezer]

Yep that's the best thing I've seen on the coverage so far. Nice bunch of lads too.

Glad to know I'm not the only one watching!

 

[Forest Hillbilly]

I do think the BBC coverage is a big plus, as Glastonbury always sold out of tickets really fast. Especially for oldies, like myself. The censorship of some acts was sterilising.
The new acts are always a good watch, but it's the big nostalgia bands that draw the crowds and money.
We had a Mountain Fire festival near me earlier this year, which has only been going a few years , but is hugely popular. It's all very localised and ethical, so I'm hoping it doesn't follow the Glastonbury model of following the wonga £££

 

[Forest Hillbilly]

I know Mr Apollo and staffie went to the very first Glastonbury festival, and I think Mr A posted a few grainy old photos a couple of years ago.
I'm getting on, and my time doing these sorts of things are behind me. However, it's what the upcoming generations want, so that's progress.
I don't hark for the good old days of having your tent robbed, or being hit on the back of the head by a flying (glass) bottle of p1ss thrown anonymously from the crown behind. Having to wear the same clothes all weekend because your rucksack got soaked/fell in the mud/stolen/sold them for beer/drugs.

 

[Badger11]

 

[Badger11]

yeah, probably a lot of jealousy from me. We had a 5hitty tent from Millets that let in water and made raincoats out of black bags. It was only the alcohol and drugs that stopped us getting really ill.
Arrived late on Thursday, and all the toilets were pristine and you could go for a 5hit with no worries. Early Friday, the Welsh arrived and the toilets were unusable for the rest of the weekend.
No kids. Rolf Harris was still performing at Glastonbury in 1993, and I think the dire conditions also kept children away.
Today, prices and costs have gone through the roof. But how nice it must be to have a reserved seat in the VIP area, and bar service. Musicians and celebrities flying in from all over the place. And to know that your tent and belongings hasn't been stolen, and scousers haven't robbed your car, so you have to hitch a lift home.

There have been some complaints about top stars demanding too much appearance money, however I don't blame them.

Glastonbury is no longer about the music, somebody is making a lot of money so why should a star drop their wages demands to enrich that person. It's no different to renting Wembley stadium, musicians are entitled to demand whatever they think they can get away with.

 

[Part Time James]

The third and final time I went to Glastonbury I had just given up drinking and my weed dealer let me down at the last minute, so I was completely sober. Let me tell you, I spent five days wanting nothing more than to headbutt every single dirty hippy one at a time.

 

[Cucking Funt]

I'm afraid to say that I've never heard of ~99% of the acts appearing and the ones that I have heard of don't appeal. I guess it's not aimed at people like me.

 

[Part Time James]

I'm afraid to say that I've never heard of ~99% of the acts appearing and the ones that I have heard of don't appeal. I guess it's not aimed at people like me.

Generally I'd say the same, but when I attended there were a whole bunch of acts the Beeb never even mentioned so the lineup is usually a little better than you might think. Mind you, I haven't been in about 24 years or so.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

There have been some complaints about top stars demanding too much appearance money, however I don't blame them.

Glastonbury is no longer about the music, somebody is making a lot of money so why should a star drop their wages demands to enrich that person. It's no different to renting Wembley stadium, musicians are entitled to demand whatever they think they can get away with.

Particularly over the last few years when they haven't made much in royalties.
My time of going to festivals is long gone - having to be near someone who had a flag to be able to find your way back and endless shouts for "Wally".
Most of the crowd spend their time watching a big screen (when not holding up their phone) anyway.

 

[Cucking Funt]

Generally I'd say the same, but when I attended there were a whole bunch of acts the Beeb never even mentioned so the lineup is usually a little better than you might think. Mind you, I haven't been in about 24 years or so.

Just looked at the lineup again and Nick Lowe and John Fogerty were about the only ones to create a flicker of interest.

 

[Part Time James]

Particularly over the last few years when they haven't made much in royalties.
My time of going to festivals is long gone - having to be near someone who had a flag to be able to find your way back and endless shouts for "Wally".
Most of the crowd spend their time watching a big screen (when not holding up their phone) anyway.

I got glassed in the arm watching Iggy Pop at Reading Festival. Weirdly I didn't notice til a lot later. It felt quite fitting.

You do see a lot of the old Mary Huff at Glastonbury though as the women tend to opt for weeing in the stream to avoid the toilet queues.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I got glassed in the arm watching Iggy Pop at Reading Festival. Weirdly I didn't notice til a lot later. It felt quite fitting.

You do see a lot of the old Mary Huff at Glastonbury though as the women tend to opt for weeing in the stream to avoid the toilet queues.

Is that why it was called Blackbushe?

 

[BromleyMonkey]

I'm afraid to say that I've never heard of ~99% of the acts appearing and the ones that I have heard of don't appeal. I guess it's not aimed at people like me.

Exactly how I stand with it. I’ve got a pretty broad musical taste and every year I find stuff to watch since the beeb cover it all with a few clicks on my remote.
But this year is dreadful, hardly anyone I’ve heard of and when I have left someone on for a listen it’s been like listening to the foxes screaming outside in the middle of the night.
And surely the production of that Raye set just wasn’t very Glastonbury

You’ve got to laugh now though, festival season is one of the in things now, all the young girls and even older women parading their new festival outfits on social media, probably not interested in the music, it’s just the in thing and they have to look good in their designer wellies, denim shorts and floppy hats🤣

 

[Palace Old Geezer]

Just looked at the lineup again and Nick Lowe and John Fogerty were about the only ones to create a flicker of interest.

Don't let it bother you Cucking. I'm not up to speed with today's acts either, but I just dip in and sometimes I watch an act that hits the spot. Like the EZRA Collective yesterday - brilliant.

Also, and I know it'll surprise some, but RAYE has never been on my radar, but I was knocked out by her set last night. A proper artist with a smattering of Adele about her. Catch it on iPlayer.