iwalker

Glastonbury is fairly unusual (if not unique, others may know more) in that several of the stages are basically their own festival with little co-ordination. It sounds like it has got to the position where the more popular acts need to be put on at the Pyramid or Other and to start bringing back some deliberate scheduling clashes.

I think attitudes have changed in the last couple off decades and it is time to change the name and I say that as someone who admired John Peel professionally. Then again The Who have played twice since then and Aerosmith nearly did. If you are to draw a line (Aerosmith pun for you all there) you have to do it consistently and not book them again.

I think the Stones did it to get themselves into the shop window for a younger audience. In fact Jagger even said if you enjoyed yourself then come and see them again. They might have made a loss on the night but they are no mugs and it has probably paid for itself several time over since. Reading his book Springsteen and the E Street Band were seeing more empty seats at their concerts then they would like - more so in the US - so did several festivals to get some new fans in (although jetting over to play with Macca suggests he enjoyed it). Not sure Fleetwood Mac need that, especially if they aren't planning to tour much more.

I first went in 2002 - when from memory there was no rush to get tickets - then every year it was on until 2013 with the exception of 2009 and always got a ticket. Have tried a few years since but no luck, although I don't go in for the resales.

Don't know why they popped in my head but Jethro Tull.

When I first went in 2002 it was the first one after 2000 was almost the last ever Glastonbury and they used to have deliberate clashes to spread the crowds round (I still regret missing Grohl era QOTSA to watch the Doves!) and it sounds like they need too get back in the habit of doing it. I last went in 2013 and during the 11 years I went going on a Wednesday went from being something the hardcore did to being the default option. Basically nothing happened on the Wednesday evening and a few dance tents opened on the Thursday but it was all quite low key. On the Wednesday and Thursday they need to either have a variety of things on to accommodate the crowd or do nothing and let people make their own entertainment. Thing is fashions change. I always think what stopped 2008 selling out was the last two festivals (2005 and 2007) being wet as opposed to Jay-Z and while that can't be helped festivals don't know what the post-Covid environment will settle down to and Glastonbury aren't immune to that.

I last went in 2013 and people were saying they should put a lid on secret sets on smaller stages back then but they still seem to be doing them. For comparison the only time I was involved in anything resembling a crush was at the side of the Pyramid Stage when people were trying to get away from Gorillaz so it sounds like it has become more common place since.