[Closed] Glastonbury - Anyone else get "the pangs"?

Mmmmmm, black bombers.......

This is the only time of the year that I miss my youth.

Wipes tears from my eyes

I've moved quite a few times since the 90s, so a lot folk I've not seen for years with a shared festival history thanks to drifting apart.

It's the girls I miss, such good memories. The lads are all idiots (as was/am I) and are easier not to miss.

Jesus wept, twenty years since my first festival.

MrsBouy does. Last night we watched the programme on BBC4 about the "alternative" side of G'bury.. She said she missed it as she told me, many times "I was there, I did that, I was there!!" To be honest after the 156th time she said, "I climbed over the fence to get in" I could have stuck a sock in her mouth...
Me, nah, glad I get to stay clean, not get fleeced, get to sleep and not rub shoulders with shonky weirdos..

I do think "you had to be there"

So... Off you go.

Just waved my eldest daughter off. She's working for my dad there, which I did also till I was 21! He's been to every one except the very first. Still a great festival despite its evolution, and yes I'm jealous!

In the early 80s there was no fence you just got there late Friday night and sneaked in ,or got a kid to bring you out someone elses wrist band

Went a few times in the early 90s - and I could think of nothing worse than going now.

Much prefer the smaller festivals nowadays...seem to attract the more traditional festival crowd rather than the kind of person that wears the wristband for two months after they come back to show people how cool they are,..

Why don't you go then?

I sometimes wish I could go and join in this stuff.. then I spent 2 hours (don't ask) at Fleet services yesterday morning, and saw the oh so trendy toff brats all stopping on their way down there, and I thought I'd rather be on my bike 🙂

No way! I went to a couple of festivals ages ago, gotta be absolutely the worst way (apart from maybe a stadium) to see live music!
I guess it's about more than seeing the bands (other wise the Glastonbury headliners wouldn't be so CRAP!), but the rest of the "Festival experience" doesn't appeal in the slightest.
Seeing a band tonight in a small club of a few hundred.. that'll do me.

+1 smaller festivals!

I do a bit but tbh when you see it televised it covers a multitude of sins.

Been a few times myself, and a few of my mates have gone this year. They're doing it proper gayer glamping style though. The pussies!

I'm still really, really jealous though 🙁

Went twice in the early 90s and had a great time. It's not really about the live music. I think the, er, customer base has changed somewhat since then and without the crusty soundsystems I definitely wouldn't be interested now.

Been to loads of festivals, Glastonbury is the only one I want to go back to. Hoping to go in a couple of years time when my girls are 6...

I have been to Glastonbury 18 times and this year I am not going as I have a pregnant wife. First time I have not been since I was 9. It isn't pangs, it is good old, balls out withdrawal.

Only did Glasto once, in '97, the first of [i]_the_ mud years[/i].

Would like to go again (maybe will for my 40th) but only if you could guarantee the weather. I don't mind mud and rain (done my fair share of wet, muddy festivals) but the conditions that year were just hideous and unrelenting.

Yes, I do have Glasto-pangs at the mo. Going to M&S-fest (sorry, Latitude) in a few weeks, but it's not the same...

I went a few years back and it was OK. tbh, the music part of the festival is all I'm really there for and put up with the long traffic queues, the mud, noisy campsites, drunk/drugged idiots, rubbish toilets (although glasto is better than most) and other hassles for it.

On the plus side, it does have some great variety of music acts, and if you're going to spend £200 and get bored of music acts, then there's plenty of other distractions. The food is generally much better too, more independents and fewer generic burger/chinese/hogroast ones.

Have been to dozens of others, but it's the only festival we've experienced any crime at (tent robbed as we slept) which probably tarnishes my view a bit.

Anyone else got that thousand yard stare...

Remember it well! 8)

Thought about going but will end up watching it on telly instead-it always looks good.

I do prefer more intimate clubs/events though. Dance festy in Croatia in a few weeks will be great for me. Cant wait!

My first (in the audience)...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Wight_Festival_1970

My last (on the stage)...

http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/glastonbury-festival-1981.html

Anyone else get "the pangs"?

No way! I went to a couple of festivals ages ago, gotta be absolutely the worst way (apart from maybe a stadium) to see live music!
I guess it's about more than seeing the bands (other wise the Glastonbury headliners wouldn't be so CRAP!), but the rest of the "Festival experience" doesn't appeal in the slightest.
Seeing a band tonight in a small club of a few hundred.. that'll do me.

this, entirely.

i went to a few of the old monsters of rock festivals at donnington in the 80s, but never felt the need to go to the daft big readings and glastos where they sell out before they've even announced any of the bands.
the misanthropist in me has a complete aversion to such things.

Nope. The music is average at best, and, as above, it's hardly the ideal environment in which to listen to anything other than people in krazy hats yelling at one another. Festival food used to be over-priced bbq/chip van fodder - you knew what you were getting, you knew the risk and hoped the alcohol in your system would do for the e-coli. Now it's a fiver or more for a fruit juice made of a 'special blend' of stuff bought from Lidl and meat from animals killed humanely by exposure to Coldplay.

corroded - Member

Went twice in the early 90s and had a great time. It's not really about the live music. I think the, er, customer base has changed somewhat since then and without the crusty soundsystems I definitely wouldn't be interested now.

[img] [/img]

😀

Festival were best in the 70's.. wouldn't fancy it now.. All designer wellies and those caps with the labels left on and being shouted at by some horrible unmusical rapper waving his arms around. Dreadful

"Are you having a good time [i]GLASS-TONNE-BERRY[/i]!?!?!"

D'ya know, we probably would be having a good time were it not for some arse with a microphone repeatedly asking if we're having a good time like it's some kind of exercise in group-think conformity.

"Look - that person didn't shout and wave his hands when he was asked if he's having a good time. Throw him off the farm, via the slurry pit."

Binners that is a funny cartoon.
Went twice - 2004 and 2007. Overall I'd say the were more crap bits than good, but glad I went. Got a 'pang' listening to the radio this morning with an interview with the Eavis lady, but I doubt I'd go back any time soon.
RM.

Went lots from 1989 to around mid 90s. (but avoided all the muddy ones fortunately).

I genuinely have no idea who played in 1989, despite being encamped somewhere at the back of the pyramid stage field for 4 days. Possibly Suzanne Vega? and maybe the Waterboys? It was very hot is all I remember, and hell getting my mate's car out at the end as it was surrounded by tents.

Once hitched down from Nottingham, got a lift with two nutters drinking tenants super/S brew equivalent all the way down. They abandoned their (wrecked) car at the gate in the queue. I had planned on scaling the fence, but just walked straight in.

Went a few times in the late '90s. Can't say I'd bother now, I'm rarely bothered about the bands that play there. I went to Download last year, car got stuck in the mud, campsite was a wash-out. My lingering feeling afterwards was "eeek - I'm too old for this!"

I do get (am currently having) pangs, but I reckon I'm probably too old now.

Been several times since late 80's and experienced both sunshine and unbelieveable quantities of mud. In the sun it is a truly magical place; in the rain, it's a bit grim.

Apart from my very first visit, I was never bothered about the headline bands. Glastonbury, for me, is all about the smaller stages and stuff away from the main areas. Much more chilled.

Apart from my very first visit, I was never bothered about the headline bands. Glastonbury, for me, is all about the smaller stages and stuff away from the main areas. Much more chilled.

The old traveller festivals were the best, especially the bank holiday ones.

Anyone go to Castlemorton?

Anyone go to Castlemorton?

A friend's parents who lived nearby described it as "hell on earth".

[img] [/img]

Check this out.

http://howbigreally.com/dimension/festivals_and_specticles/glastonbury

A friend's parents who lived nearby described it as "hell on earth".

I can imagine it must have been if you lived there! Quite a memorable weekend though and it was the rave that killed off raves. The government had to act to save face, they arrested the spiral tribe crew and kicked off the criminal justice bill. The following weekend in a two fingers to the cops the meeting place for the rave was the station they had been held in!

I do - similar to the o.p. , I went from 89 through to about 96/97.
One year my car was parked next to the pyramid hospitality bar for the whole festival. 😀 😉
I used to love it. The "sweets" available in the travellers field used to be wonderful.......
I now watch the (excellent) coverage and pine......but also don't think I could cope/fancy it now, as it does look mobbed.Maybe it's a young mans game?
For me it was never about the headliners, but going off on a mad weekend long adventure.

I can imagine it must have been if you lived there! Quite a memorable weekend though and it was the rave that killed off raves.

Bless.

Really no. Even though it's just over the hill.

xherbivorex - Member

i went to a few of the old monsters of rock festivals at donnington in the 80s, but never felt the need to go to the daft big readings and glastos where they sell out before they've even announced any of the bands.
the misanthropist in me has a complete aversion to such things.

You may have your dates muddled up Herbie... the late 80s/earl-mid 90s didn't sell out until near the date (I was a late ticket buyer). Probably all that speed you took at Donnie!

There's some jealous posts on this thread. 😀

Couldn't think of anything worse for me really

Why not still go?

wrightyson - Member

Why not still go?

Because I'm 44, married and have kids. My memories are of being 24 and being out of it for 5 days.

I suspect if I went again it wouldn't be the same.

Because I'm 44, married and have kids. My memories are of being 24 and being out of it for 5 days.

I suspect if I went again it wouldn't be the same.

Yep, bang on.

*add Harry to Xmas card list

I'm just 38 got two kids and they're both coming to ynot festival this year. Not quite Glaston I admit but can't wait. Also off to hardrockcalling this weekend, did Biffy coupla months ago, still ride my bike like it doesn't hurt when I fall off and generally act my age only when I need too. Life's to short to get old....

Because I'm 44, married and have kids. My memories are of being 24 and being out of it for 5 days.

I suspect if I went again it wouldn't be the same.

Take the family before they are old enough to need a ticket. Of course its not the same, but the place is not the same either. You will be surprised how fun it is.

Of course, getting out of it has to be moderated and/or performed in shifts

wednesday i did think that i would love to go again.

then i watched the bbc4 program which reminded me how false contrived and plastic the whole event got over the last 20yrs. Arcadia is a perfect example IMO.

this morning, im stuck in a stuffy office, being tortured by BBC R2, where the [s]ginger tosser[/s] chris evans is doing a glasto special.

R2 - radio for carehomes.

glad im not there now i think about it, dont want to ruin good memorys.

I'm quite happy to sit in a field in the middle of nowhere on my own with no music, fill it full of people and speakers and five quid hot dogs and I'd rather stay at home..
M'old now. thirty years ago however....

Radio 2 and One Show coverage is a great cure for "the pangs". Need some washout festivals to cull the scumbag glampers and get the prices down to normal.

Ignoring facebook, have quite a few mates there and a couple who are backstage camping too.

Get bad pangs every year, as have been to quite a few 3 of which were running the kitchen in a Burrito van, check out Santa Fe catering for a mean Veggie Burrito, mind the special extra hot sauce though 😉

was talking to the wife last night, both veterans of festivals of the early 90's.

we both agreed we couldnt handle a festival now, just older and to be honest were both music snobs and 90% of the stuff out there now is sh*te.

i do have my 90's rose tinted specs on though!

then i watched the bbc4 program which reminded me how false contrived and plastic the whole event got over the last 20yrs

spot on, all the kids with their mobile phones out constantly would do my fekin head in, but i guess they cant help it and im just an old fart!

[url= http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-entertainment/everyone-at-glastonbury-wishing-they-were-dead-2013062874277 ]Everyone at Glastonbury wishing they were dead[/url]

[i]booths have been set up to help people cope with the realisation they have paid the price of a holiday in Tuscany to camp in a farm whilst listening to XFM.[/i]

😆

Only went to Glastonbury once, in 95. Three of us climbed the fence, took our entire weekend's supply of drugs on the Thursday night, saw some memorable performances (Carl Cox in the dance tent, anyone? Described by Steve Hillage as more mind-blowing than Hendrix at the IOW Festival), didn't have a poo, don't remember actually eating any food, was liberated from my wallet by two charming Liverpudlian gents and their pal Mr Stabby, spent our last fiver on poppers and our only sustenance for the nine hour National Express journey home was a Cadbury's Twirl, which I begged from the eight year old boy who was sitting next to me.

Never been arsed about going back.

Damn binners beat me to it

I cant be arsed with it all now, used to go to every festival I could, last one was V, half full of nobend townies who wanted any excuse to get off their tits on anything and / or kick off at anyone. Other half had hunter wellies on staying at some local Holiday Inn.

Proper Glastonbury was different, we got woke up by some scousers trying to rob the tent, I told em to go away and they apologised !

I grew up nearby and have been 12 times or so since 1992... [i]loved[/i] it as a kid, and I've always found something/somewhere to enjoy, regardless of conditions. At dusk, and from high up, the festival is still a staggering sight.

Not so bothered these days, although I did play [i]U.F.ORB[/i] at loud volume the other night - an album eternally evocative of missioning it into Avalon.

Glastonbury has changed a lot in the past 15 years but that's cool. I spent a number of very enjoyable years acting as hippy security in the greenfield area. I had a walkie talkie, a hi-vis vest with 'insecurity' stencilled on the back and a pocket full of one skinners that I handed out to disorientated young uns who'd never seen any like it. Back in the old days you'd get a lot of people coming through from Stonehenge and Avebury after the solstice celebrations and there'd be free parties all over the West Country for a a good few months. Great times, great people and great attitudes.

never been to a festival so yeah when glastonbury comes on I get a few pangs thinking chances are I'm never going to go to one now.

Worked there in '92 with the Dogs of Heaven, for those that remember we were the peeps who built a fire show around a 50ft high, 5 ton wicker man 8)
Was a great experience, off my tits on a smorgasbord of drugs bought with the money we were paid to do the Sunday night show after Saturday nights supposed burning was cut short due to a slight accident involving a firework mortar and 5'000 people in the acoustic tent next door!

Had the second highest crowd of the weekend, not bad for a bunch of crusties from Manc who'd built the wicker man out of wood robbed from an old Victorian police station 🙂

I'd rather poke my eyes out with a blunt pencil

I love live music but hate being surrounded by complete ****s

plumber - Member

I love live music but hate being surrounded by complete ****

And that's just the BBC presenters.