Just Back from Glastonbury - My Reflections

I'm still digesting it @Cardiffdaffs needless to say it was incredible and we're already planning a return trip. I'll do a write up of my experiences after work at some point.
 
WelshBoro said:
This was my 20th Glastonbury and I think my last. I found this year to be as busy as pre super-fence.
I noticed that Glastonbury is no longer the place to be and enjoying the moment, but the place to be seen and everyone one on social media must know about it... if that makes any sense.
I spotted lots of retro Toon tops worn by younger kids as fashion. I think the plastic fans are beginning to attach to the club.
I've had some of the best times on that farm, but when the negatives outweighs the positives it's time to leave the party
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A lot of the toon tops could be down to Sam fender playing I guess? Watched his set last night it was really good.

Ah just realised this has been answered multiple times. Sorry
 
Cardiffdaffs said:
After getting tickets in 2019 it was such a buzz arriving on site last Wednesday and we were greeted with scorching weather. This was my 9th Glastonbury and I have to say this was definitely one of the best. What looked initially like one of the thinner line ups the performances were some of the most memorable.

1. First of all the weather was perfect. What rain we had was intermittent squalls on Friday, and overnight which made no difference to the ground which remained bone hard throughout the week. As a consequence there was no need for anything but comfortable footwear. The temperature also cooled after Thursday so it was great for walking miles in.

2. Outstanding performances. You've seen most on TV bro doubt but it kicked off for me with the Libertines who were great value followed by an incredible event at Park Stage with Wetleg. Somebody mentioned they thought it flat on TV. You had to be there mate. EA has confirmed it was the largest crowd in attendance for a Park Stage gig. The atmosphere never came across as well on TV.

Other great moments for me - Sam Fender on Pyramid, Foals on Other, Sigrid on JP, Jack White on Park, Noel Gallagher and Elbow on Pyramid, Macca of course, Jonathan Pie in the Astrolabe Pam Ayres. ( yes the poet lady) in Cabaret, PSB on Other. And one of many special moments of the 3 days came on Pyramid with Crowded House doing a Split Enz number.

I thought this was also one of the busiest Festivals Ive experienced. Had they sold more tickets this time? - it certainly felt like it.

Beer choice seemed less this time. Brothers had taken over as main cider sponsor, Carlsberg the lager. Food remains a massive choice.

3. Vibe was also great this year. Think because it has been a long time coming more people were wanting to let their hear down. Noticed a lot more babies on site too ( ear defenders were all over the site) no doubt having made their appearance in the two year absence.

Will be going again next year.
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Glad you enjoyed it.
I enjoyed watching the TV in the knowledge i was getting around 30% of the experience.

I’ll be on the hunt for tickets for 2023 - and will make sure there is no firk up.

Couple of things for you to catch up on if you like
Phoebe Bridgers was my highlight
Fontaines smashed it
And Bonobo was…… Bonobo - a really joy

Look after yourself
 
It was definitely more crowded than normal. I’m not sure if they had sold more tickets or they had a lot of “free entrants” but it felt busier for sure. Thursday has always been a relaxing chill out day but this year it was crazy packed all over. Putting Mel C and Bastille on the Williams Green tent when nothing else was on didn’t help and then there was serious over crowding at the TLC gig and at Arcadia on Friday night for Groove Armada. Not seen crushes like that for a long time. Also I think with a “thinner” than normal Pyramid programme to take the masses the smaller stages were getting the big crowds. Wet leg, Confidence Man Jarvis and Jack White at the Park. TLC on at West Holts and Sugarbabes had huge crowd numbers at Avalon which couldn’t cope.
 
Zoophonic said:
It was definitely more crowded than normal. I’m not sure if they had sold more tickets or they had a lot of “free entrants” but it felt busier for sure. Thursday has always been a relaxing chill out day but this year it was crazy packed all over. Putting Mel C and Bastille on the Williams Green tent when nothing else was on didn’t help and then there was serious over crowding at the TLC gig and at Arcadia on Friday night for Groove Armada. Not seen crushes like that for a long time. Also I think with a “thinner” than normal Pyramid programme to take the masses the smaller stages were getting the big crowds. Wet leg, Confidence Man Jarvis and Jack White at the Park. TLC on at West Holts and Sugarbabes had huge crowd numbers at Avalon which couldn’t cope.
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Reports were Thursday was heaving because most travelled Wednesday to avoid the train Strike
The busiest Wed ever apparently
 
I’ve done it once. 2009. It was a fantastic experience and felt like there was room when there.

Looking at the crowds though this time around, even the smaller stages, it just all felt too much, too many people. That’s really put me off, not that I was seriously considering going again. Deershed more likely with a little person in tow.
 
1finny said:
Reports were Thursday was heaving because most travelled Wednesday to avoid the train Strike
The busiest Wed ever apparently
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One of our crowd was caught up in that Park/Arcadia crush on Friday after Foals and Billy Eyelash had finished and it was apparently not good.

1finny said:
Glad you enjoyed it.
I enjoyed watching the TV in the knowledge i was getting around 30% of the experience.

I’ll be on the hunt for tickets for 2023 - and will make sure there is no firk up.

Couple of things for you to catch up on if you like
Phoebe Bridgers was my highlight
Fontaines smashed it
And Bonobo was…… Bonobo - a really joy

Look after yourself
Click to expand...
Yes saw Phoebe in the JP Tent. She was excellent. Arlo Parks was this year's Chris Martin - popping up all over the site at gigs. Phoebe brought her on stage too.
 
Reading this makes me feel old. I’ve no idea who most of the acts are. Never mind, just off to Sheffield to see Rival Sons. That’s proper music, that is.
 
Mr_Fridge said:
I’ve done it once. 2009. It was a fantastic experience and felt like there was room when there.

Looking at the crowds though this time around, even the smaller stages, it just all felt too much, too many people. That’s really put me off, not that I was seriously considering going again. Deershed more likely with a little person in tow.
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2009 was my one and only experience too.....far too big for me, prefer a smaller more genteel festival these days, such as Fairport!
 
Cardiffdaffs said:
After getting tickets in 2019 it was such a buzz arriving on site last Wednesday and we were greeted with scorching weather. This was my 9th Glastonbury and I have to say this was definitely one of the best. What looked initially like one of the thinner line ups the performances were some of the most memorable.

1. First of all the weather was perfect. What rain we had was intermittent squalls on Friday, and overnight which made no difference to the ground which remained bone hard throughout the week. As a consequence there was no need for anything but comfortable footwear. The temperature also cooled after Thursday so it was great for walking miles in.

2. Outstanding performances. You've seen most on TV bro doubt but it kicked off for me with the Libertines who were great value followed by an incredible event at Park Stage with Wetleg. Somebody mentioned they thought it flat on TV. You had to be there mate. EA has confirmed it was the largest crowd in attendance for a Park Stage gig. The atmosphere never came across as well on TV.

Other great moments for me - Sam Fender on Pyramid, Foals on Other, Sigrid on JP, Jack White on Park, Noel Gallagher and Elbow on Pyramid, Macca of course, Jonathan Pie in the Astrolabe Pam Ayres. ( yes the poet lady) in Cabaret, PSB on Other. And one of many special moments of the 3 days came on Pyramid with Crowded House doing a Split Enz number.

I thought this was also one of the busiest Festivals Ive experienced. Had they sold more tickets this time? - it certainly felt like it.

Beer choice seemed less this time. Brothers had taken over as main cider sponsor, Carlsberg the lager. Food remains a massive choice.

3. Vibe was also great this year. Think because it has been a long time coming more people were wanting to let their hear down. Noticed a lot more babies on site too ( ear defenders were all over the site) no doubt having made their appearance in the two year absence.

Will be going again next year.
Click to expand...
Hey CardiffDaffs. Glad you enjoyed the weekend, looked class on TV.

Can I just asked about the ticketing situation.. you mentioned that you have been 9 times. A lot of my mates/people I know that go to Glastonbury all seem to have been numerous times and go every year.

How do you/they continually manage to get tickets!? o_O 😅 is there a loyalty scheme in place?

My wife and I have register every year and receive our confirmation that the photos/registrations are approved, yet we fail to get tickets every time! Must have tried 6 or 7 times, we sit with 4-5 devices on the go all on seperate WIFI/internet connections trying to get tickets and never do!
 
WilderBall said:
Hey CardiffDaffs. Glad you enjoyed the weekend, looked class on TV.

Can I just asked about the ticketing situation.. you mentioned that you have been 9 times. A lot of my mates/people I know that go to Glastonbury all seem to have been numerous times and go every year.

How do you/they continually manage to get tickets!? o_O 😅 is there a loyalty scheme in place?

My wife and I have register every year and receive our confirmation that the photos/registrations are approved, yet we fail to get tickets every time! Must have tried 6 or 7 times, we sit with 4-5 devices on the go all on seperate WIFI/internet connections trying to get tickets and never do!
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I’m sure Cardiff will respond but I do know people who have had similar luck.
It is a ‘lottery’ as such you can win every time or lose every time.

The more devices the more chance and, if you are a techy, there are all sorts of ways to have multiple browsers and auto refresh on.
 
sadgit said:
They are a band I really want to like but something stops me, will have another go today. :D
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Good to hear. I am exactly the same, I find the singer irritating (I likened them to the very annoying Lovely Eggs). Thought I was the only dissenting voice!
 
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The Ruthsayer said:
Reading this makes me feel old. I’ve no idea who most of the acts are. Never mind, just off to Sheffield to see Rival Sons. That’s proper music, that is.
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who?

Just had a quick listen on Spotify. I hear your genre. I was a mad Deep Purple and Led Zep fan in the 70s who were doing that stuff. I can see why you like them though.
 
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WilderBall said:
Hey CardiffDaffs. Glad you enjoyed the weekend, looked class on TV.

Can I just asked about the ticketing situation.. you mentioned that you have been 9 times. A lot of my mates/people I know that go to Glastonbury all seem to have been numerous times and go every year.

How do you/they continually manage to get tickets!? o_O 😅 is there a loyalty scheme in place?

My wife and I have register every year and receive our confirmation that the photos/registrations are approved, yet we fail to get tickets every time! Must have tried 6 or 7 times, we sit with 4-5 devices on the go all on seperate WIFI/internet connections trying to get tickets and never do!
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It is all a matter of groups. Join a group of mates, family etc. We have 30 in our Group all with a spreadsheet with each others reg numbers. Successful applicant can buy up to 6 tickets so it only needs 5 people out of the 30 to get through to get the 30 tickets. Some coordination is required via whatsapp re who gets crossed off the list when bought for. It works.
 
Cardiffdaffs said:
One of our crowd was caught up in that Park/Arcadia crush on Friday after Foals and Billy Eyelash had finished and it was apparently not good.
Click to expand...
Yeah i was also in that crowd! wasn't good at all, very dangerous and had no choice to continue going forward!
 
I must be in a very small minority who enjoys Glastonbury from the sofa, but the thought of actually going there.......😖😖

Not knocking the people who go and have a great time btw, just too big for me. Or the very real possibility I'm too old.........👍
 
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