Music Glastonbury 2019
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Just about recovered from my first Glastonbury in years.
I mostly loved it, but a couple of posts here about the change in atmosphere and clientele really chimed home.
Random observations...
- Far too white and middle class- it seemed like the majority of attendees were the rich public school 'weekend hippie' type. Obviously this is a huge generalisation, but I was disappointed to see groups of people you would normally try to avoid on a night out and not many of the 'weirdo' types that I assumed would still make Glasto their yearly pilgrimage. I guess putting the fence up and the ticket price and booking situation (basically needing a syndicate of 6+ relatively IT-literate mates all trying to get tickets at the same time) lends itself more to the young, white and middle class crowd.
- Connected to the above, it was the least 'friendly' festival I've been to. The people camping near us (Bushy Grounds) were all perfectly polite and nice enough, but it was such an effort to make any sort of conversation or new friendships. I get that not everybody wants to talk to a group of Mancunians who like to take drugs and stumble back to the tent at an absurd time in the morning, but at most other festivals I've been at I've got talking to and shared a beer with the people we're camping next to before the tent is even up. Most groups at Glasto seemed polite enough but very insular and not very interested in meeting new people and random conversations.
- I was surprised how few people seemed to actually care about the music. I get that everyone goes to Glasto for different reasons, but it has the deepest and best pool of artists at any event in the world. I was amazed that most people seemed happy to just mooch between who ever was playing on the Pyramid and Other and saw it more as a party, rather than taking the chance to seek out and experiencing some of the incredible artists playing.
- Crowds. Holy shit the crowds. I have never had to queue 40 minutes for some water or an hour to use the toilet in the morning at a festival before. Dunno if it's a case of them letting too many people in or if it was just the perfect storm of the plastic ban and insane heat, but I was disappointed at the lack of organisation and facilities.
Anyway.. some acts that I really enjoyed (in no particular order):
- BC Camplight - like an angry socialist Elton John - American pianist who made Manchester his home and got deported when his visa ran out, which led to him recording and releasing the excellent album 'Deportation Blues'. His live performances in Manchester are legendary and I would thoroughly encourage anybody who might like that sort of music to go and see them if you can.
- Fantastic Negrito - imagine Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd fronted by James Brown. It was far too hot to draw a big crowd but he absolutely brought the house down at the Other Stage on Saturday. I have no idea how I haven't heard of this artist before as he was superb.
- Kate Tempest - not for everyone, but the stage presence, delivery and anger just worked perfectly for the Park Stage and the setting sun.
- Idles - guitarist playing in underwear and socks and jumping into the crowd for one of the more audacious crowd surfing attempts of the festival
- Michael Kiwanuka - excellent live, really is a talented SOB
- Pond - I think their front-man was the only person who seemed to have any energy left after the crazy heat, he is a lunatic.
- Janelle Monae - I'm not a huge fan but left The Cure half way through after it seemed as boring as I had feared to watch her close West Holts. Great performer and an energetic and spectacular way to end the festival.
- Fontaines DC - I know they're the 'next big thing' so it's not a particularly original suggestion, but I saw them twice at Glasto and the hype is real. Political, Irish angry rock and a fantastic band to see live.
Also notable shoutout to the rapper Che Lingo who I stumbled across on the BBC Introducing stage. It was about noon on Sunday and still very hot, and the 30 or so people in the tent were sat down when he came on and all looked exhausted. By the end of the set he had us all jumping around. Really good MC in the traditional sense of the word.
I mostly loved it, but a couple of posts here about the change in atmosphere and clientele really chimed home.
Random observations...
- Far too white and middle class- it seemed like the majority of attendees were the rich public school 'weekend hippie' type. Obviously this is a huge generalisation, but I was disappointed to see groups of people you would normally try to avoid on a night out and not many of the 'weirdo' types that I assumed would still make Glasto their yearly pilgrimage. I guess putting the fence up and the ticket price and booking situation (basically needing a syndicate of 6+ relatively IT-literate mates all trying to get tickets at the same time) lends itself more to the young, white and middle class crowd.
- Connected to the above, it was the least 'friendly' festival I've been to. The people camping near us (Bushy Grounds) were all perfectly polite and nice enough, but it was such an effort to make any sort of conversation or new friendships. I get that not everybody wants to talk to a group of Mancunians who like to take drugs and stumble back to the tent at an absurd time in the morning, but at most other festivals I've been at I've got talking to and shared a beer with the people we're camping next to before the tent is even up. Most groups at Glasto seemed polite enough but very insular and not very interested in meeting new people and random conversations.
- I was surprised how few people seemed to actually care about the music. I get that everyone goes to Glasto for different reasons, but it has the deepest and best pool of artists at any event in the world. I was amazed that most people seemed happy to just mooch between who ever was playing on the Pyramid and Other and saw it more as a party, rather than taking the chance to seek out and experiencing some of the incredible artists playing.
- Crowds. Holy shit the crowds. I have never had to queue 40 minutes for some water or an hour to use the toilet in the morning at a festival before. Dunno if it's a case of them letting too many people in or if it was just the perfect storm of the plastic ban and insane heat, but I was disappointed at the lack of organisation and facilities.
Anyway.. some acts that I really enjoyed (in no particular order):
- BC Camplight - like an angry socialist Elton John - American pianist who made Manchester his home and got deported when his visa ran out, which led to him recording and releasing the excellent album 'Deportation Blues'. His live performances in Manchester are legendary and I would thoroughly encourage anybody who might like that sort of music to go and see them if you can.
- Fantastic Negrito - imagine Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd fronted by James Brown. It was far too hot to draw a big crowd but he absolutely brought the house down at the Other Stage on Saturday. I have no idea how I haven't heard of this artist before as he was superb.
- Kate Tempest - not for everyone, but the stage presence, delivery and anger just worked perfectly for the Park Stage and the setting sun.
- Idles - guitarist playing in underwear and socks and jumping into the crowd for one of the more audacious crowd surfing attempts of the festival
- Michael Kiwanuka - excellent live, really is a talented SOB
- Pond - I think their front-man was the only person who seemed to have any energy left after the crazy heat, he is a lunatic.
- Janelle Monae - I'm not a huge fan but left The Cure half way through after it seemed as boring as I had feared to watch her close West Holts. Great performer and an energetic and spectacular way to end the festival.
- Fontaines DC - I know they're the 'next big thing' so it's not a particularly original suggestion, but I saw them twice at Glasto and the hype is real. Political, Irish angry rock and a fantastic band to see live.
Also notable shoutout to the rapper Che Lingo who I stumbled across on the BBC Introducing stage. It was about noon on Sunday and still very hot, and the 30 or so people in the tent were sat down when he came on and all looked exhausted. By the end of the set he had us all jumping around. Really good MC in the traditional sense of the word.
I didn't go to Glastonbury but these are all observations which are also true for festivals in Belgium these days, and trends which I don't really like. I guess Glastonbury has become way too mainstream for the people who actually care about the music. The vibe you're supposedly looking for is still very much present at other, more specific, under the radar festivals though, in East Germany, the Netherlands, most probably in England as well.
The two most famous ones in Belgium are too mainstream and expensive these days to encounter the types of people you described. Pukkelpop festival charges €240 for 3 days and an absolutely shite line-up this summer - it was €120 when I started going 10 years ago. Meanwhile there are festivals for half that price with better, more specific artists focused on one genre of music, which are the festivals where the people you described are probably at. For what it's worth, I definitely would've shared a beer with you in the morning
Amsterdam and East Germany are really great for relatively new festivals which attract alternative crowds by the way. Reasonably priced, perfectly organized, no queues or whatever and a great vibe all around. Croatia and Serbia are supposed to be great as well.
It's been seen as fashionable to go to festivals and live gigs in general for the last 10 years or so and it seems to be getting worse. That's why ticket prices have shot through the roof and you see crowds of people at gigs recording the whole thing on their phones to post on social media so they can say they were there, rather than just enjoyng the show. People ruin everything. People.
Yeah, I think you're right that smaller festivals are definitely the way to go.I didn't go to Glastonbury but these are all observations which are also true for festivals in Belgium these days, and trends which I don't really like. I guess Glastonbury has become way too mainstream for the people who actually care about the music. The vibe you're supposedly looking for is still very much present at other, more specific, under the radar festivals though, in East Germany, the Netherlands, most probably in England as well.
The two most famous ones in Belgium are too mainstream and expensive these days to encounter the types of people you described. Pukkelpop festival charges €240 for 3 days and an absolutely shite line-up this summer - it was €120 when I started going 10 years ago. Meanwhile there are festivals for half that price with better, more specific artists focused on one genre of music, which are the festivals where the people you described are probably at. For what it's worth, I definitely would've shared a beer with you in the morning
Amsterdam and East Germany are really great for relatively new festivals which attract alternative crowds by the way. Reasonably priced, perfectly organized, no queues or whatever and a great vibe all around. Croatia and Serbia are supposed to be great as well.
I'm trying to sort out tickets to Green Man and End of the Road tickets for later in the summer as even with all it's faults, my Glastonbury experience has reminded me that I still love seeing live music and that I'm not (quite) too old for a diet of camping, drink and drugs for a few days.
Maybe I was spoiled by my earliest festival experiences - I went to Roskilde (in Denmark) when I was about 16 and absolutely loved it. All of these 7 foot tall tatooed Danes were unbelievably kind to a few annoying lads from North Manchester and tolerated our stupid Happy Mondays impressions with remarkable humour. Even in the queue the atmosphere was a non-stop party and as soon as we got the tent up, everybody nearby was sharing their food, drink and weed with us like we were part of a big family. I went to Glastonbury a year later and whilst not quite as good (probably due to being bit more British and reserved), it still had that incredible 'no other place like it on earth' vibe that the best festivals give off.
I think the main thing that seems different between that and my Glastonbury experience last week is the clientele.
I'd be well up for trying Dutch and German festivals - I've been to Amsterdam a few times and loved it, and Berlin might be my favourite city in the world.
I was at a Foals gig on Tuesday night and some knobber in front of me had his phone up in the air, streaming the show for Instagram live. Die.
Fecking great gig though.
Twas indeed. That wasn’t your blue trainer being chucked round near the front, was it?
Nah but a few of my mates were fecking some beers into the sky and I gave them a scolding.on another note TCD is a horrible venue. The beer and toilet queue was a disgrace
There was a fair bit of tutting from me/my friends about that gratuitous waste of beer. Like flinging round liquid gold, thanks to the enormous queues.
Still, even in terms of value I'd much sooner go the the likes of Rock Werchter (€243 for four days of music) than Glastonbury (£248 for three days of music). Not least because you can happily wait until the full line up is announced before committing to buying a ticket and avoid dud years.I didn't go to Glastonbury but these are all observations which are also true for festivals in Belgium these days, and trends which I don't really like. I guess Glastonbury has become way too mainstream for the people who actually care about the music. The vibe you're supposedly looking for is still very much present at other, more specific, under the radar festivals though, in East Germany, the Netherlands, most probably in England as well.
The two most famous ones in Belgium are too mainstream and expensive these days to encounter the types of people you described. Pukkelpop festival charges €240 for 3 days and an absolutely shite line-up this summer - it was €120 when I started going 10 years ago. Meanwhile there are festivals for half that price with better, more specific artists focused on one genre of music, which are the festivals where the people you described are probably at. For what it's worth, I definitely would've shared a beer with you in the morning
Amsterdam and East Germany are really great for relatively new festivals which attract alternative crowds by the way. Reasonably priced, perfectly organized, no queues or whatever and a great vibe all around. Croatia and Serbia are supposed to be great as well.
I’ve been to a festival in Croatia the past two years called InMusic. It’s a small festival, very intimate and from around 5-7 can be a bit dead. Festival stuff only occurs from 5pm - 5 am ish but it’s only 50-80 euros for 3 days including camping. In Zagreb and they do have some really big people playing.
Last year Queens of the Stone Age, Nick Cave and Interpol were headlining and this year Foals, Suede and The Cure headlined. It was super easy to get to the front for each of the headliners too. I think I spent around 200 euros in total across the whole 3 days including food/drink etc. Plus it’s on a lake in Zagreb with 30 degrees weather that you can go swimming in during the day. Great mix of a holiday/festival.
Much prefer doing that now in my mid 20s than deal with the shite of going to a massive festival in the UK where people are nasty cnuts (both as people and what they do at festivals).
Last year Queens of the Stone Age, Nick Cave and Interpol were headlining and this year Foals, Suede and The Cure headlined. It was super easy to get to the front for each of the headliners too. I think I spent around 200 euros in total across the whole 3 days including food/drink etc. Plus it’s on a lake in Zagreb with 30 degrees weather that you can go swimming in during the day. Great mix of a holiday/festival.
Much prefer doing that now in my mid 20s than deal with the shite of going to a massive festival in the UK where people are nasty cnuts (both as people and what they do at festivals).
Yeah definitely true. I love the general festival vibe but apart from Pukkelpop and my local Reggae festival, I'd never buy a ticket for something without knowing what the headliners will be. Werchter has done well to re-invent itself but the headliners this year, like Florence & The Machine, Mumford&Sons, Muse, ... perform so much in Belgium that it wasn't really worth the money for me. Thought about going on Friday for The Cure and Tool but ultimately decided not to since it was fecking 40 degrees that day.
Have you (or any other Irish poster reading this) had the chance to catch Fontaines DC live? They packed the stage out for all four of the shows they played at Glastonbury and I can only imagine how good they must be at a gig in Dublin.
Not seen them live. I’d love to. A good friend of mine also saw them in Glasto and said they kicked arse. Fairly sure @Zebs has seen them in Dublin at least once. He talks about it in the thread about them.
My biggest gripe is that it’s no longer that place of pilgrimage for all those folks that lived an alternative lifestyle on the fringes of society. Personally I loved taking acid at Glasto and going on mad trips with loads of random weirdos. On the flip side there are hardly any shady characters going there now. It used to be the biggest drugs market in the UK so you got loads of dealers there as they could just jump the fence, the crime levels are down massively since those days. Then again, that melting pot of different people you got there was a big part of the attraction.
I’ll never understand people like this, what’s the point of going to a festival if you’re not interested in meeting loads of weirdos? I’ve lost my mates before and spent whole days with randomers who become your best mates, it’s half the fun.
First time I'd seen them. The old bloke was off his tits. Class
@Lebowski
Only seen them in Dublin the once. They only came together after I'd moved to London but saw them 6/7 times there. Incredible to see them go from 20 people in a pub in New Cross in South London to the John Peel stage in the space of a year. Have tickets for the Vicar Street shows in December, they're going to be something else.
On another note, saw the entire IDLES set earlier today and how fecking joyous was that? Band of the weekend from what I've seen so far. Would love to see them headline in a few years if album three goes well.
I am very jealous - I imagine they would be spectacularly good at a small/mid-sized venue in Dublin.
Idles were brilliant. They absolutely packed out the Park Stage and it's reassuring that between them and Fontaines DC that punk / rock music is in good hands. A nice antidote to the bearded white singer/songwriters with acoustic guitars and looping pedals that seemed to be taking over for a while.
Did you catch anything from Fantastic Negrito over the weeekend? His set was incredible but annoyingly it's not on iPlayer... I didn't know there was a contemporary artist making blues records like that in this day and age!
Barry Ashworth, absolute legend. My girlfriend and her friend went to one of his DJ nights and only about 40 people turned up and less than half of them knew who he was so he got fecked up anyway and my girlfriend and her friend ended up on the decks with him! We’ve got him as a Facebook friend now, he’s an absolutely class old timer who still gives it 200%.
Legend! He was one of the highlights of the festival for me. They sang mucky weekend as if it was the theme song of their lives."Oh, no here we go again
I'm off my face a mucky weekend
One day I'm gonna have kids and a wife
But until then I'm just try'na live my life"
I sacked off George Ezra when I walked past them at Glade. George Ezra was dry as feck compared to these.
Anyone know how difficult is it to get tickets to glastonbury?
My mate played there and still wasn't given a ticket.
I’ve been 7 times. It’s not easy by any means but if you know when the sales and resales are and are prepared to get a bus from somewhere inconvenient if needs be then it’s not impossible.
The best thing to do is get into as many buying groups as possible.
As in groups of friends that are going and will be trying to buy tickets too. You can buy 6 tickets in the first sale per transaction and 4 in the resale.
What “some” people do is get into groups with more than 6 people to increase your chances. Then if you get through you pick your best mates and then explain to the others that were trying for you that you didn’t get through but your mate did and he bought yours. Apparently.
I tried last year in a group of 4 of us in each of the sales and didn’t get any. We were all trying on multiple devices.
Admittedly I could have got two tickets in the resale for coach and festival tickets travelling from London... but living in Manchester that was not ideal and it would have meant two of our group not going.
Admittedly I could have got two tickets in the resale for coach and festival tickets travelling from London... but living in Manchester that was not ideal and it would have meant two of our group not going.
When do they go on sale and don’t you have to register by a certain date?
Look at Pexbo being able to go to Glastonbury 7 times.
I think registration closes 7 days before the first sale.
Thursday 3rd October is the coach + ticket sales.
Sunday 6th is for the standard tickets.
I was a chef for 6 of them. No idea of the relevance.
I've not been able to get tickets in over 10 years.