221 replies to this topic

[Alcatraz]

I was at the Michael Eavis Q&A session on Sunday and it was raised. He said he'd never really noticed it!

I'm not sure what they can do though, other than ordering those who don't carry flags to taunt those that do every second

[denwyn]

LRW, on Jun 29 2009, 11:46 AM, said:

  

I woul'dnt object to carrying one or two on my shoulders.....     

[matt27]

Alcatraz, on Jun 29 2009, 12:08 PM, said:

I was at the Michael Eavis Q&A session on Sunday and it was raised. He said he'd never really noticed it!

I'm not sure what they can do though, other than ordering those who don't carry flags to taunt those that do every second

it can't do any harm to ask people not to obscure people's views with the flags though, glastonbury people are normally decent enough types and would probably not do it if asked nicely.

[Langdale Wolf]

I have a plan.  

Throw piss at the flags.

[Alcatraz]

matt27, on Jun 29 2009, 12:10 PM, said:

it can't do any harm to ask people not to obscure people's views with the flags though, glastonbury people are normally decent enough types and would probably not do it if asked nicely.

Really? I doubt it some what

Langdale pointed it out earlier. It's all about the TV. I guess they could get rid of the BBC

[Bloke down the pub]

I’ve had it with flags in front of the stage.  Especially the ones with two or three on one pole.  
Anyone that waves massive flags at stage height  throughout an entire performance is a selfish sh!t-for brains twunt in my book.

Presumably the organisers condone their use by allowing so many flag stalls in the markets.

A good compromise would be to have a special 'pen' for flag-wavers:  underneath the electric cables, next to the pylons.

[Toilet Duck]

beodeejay, on Jun 29 2009, 11:44 AM, said:

Were you at Maximo Park or the Jazz Stage walkway during Rolf ??  Because those very compacted crowds are not a good idea too often - people get hot/bothered/panicky/dehydrated/sick/squashed...etc

..Jazz stage after/during Rolf was extremely uncomfortable...I was a bit worried at one point, plus it was extremely hot and there just simply wasn't anywhere to go...bloody fantastic festie this year though, maybe even better than my first (which was always the best!)...and for the record, I love the flags, no problem with them whatsoever...

[danbailey80]

Yes definitly ban them from the two main stages at least...or maybe from anywhere in front of the sound desk..evil things

[ChopperChimp]

I think people who stand at the front of the stage and block everyone else view with a huge flag are being totally inconsiderate, probably out of ignorance.  A few flags was ok, but now it's out of hand.

1)  For both the Pyramid and Other stage if you're any further back than the mixer you can't see sh*t.
Especially the Pyramid which is sited on a slope so that those behind are elevated to get a better view of the stage.  But as they're higher up they're at the same height of the flags so that's all they can see.  I don't think some of the people with flags realise this?!

2) I came to that stage to see a band and be with like minded people.  I don't care what country you're from or what team you support.  The Glastonbury spirit is supposed to be about breaking down barriers, not putting them up.

3) The band and all the technical people have all worked hard to make a show for everyone to see and hear.  I have watched the festival evolve over the last 16 years and seen some amazing shows.
When there were only a few flags and you could see the band moving about the stage with some amazing backdrop of audiovisual madness, then that band was showing you what they can do.
Have some respect for that band you're going to see and the people stood behind you.

4) Most of the TV camera shots are now being done from cameras right in front the stage.  More cameras there, puts you the crowd further away from the band.

I went to see The Prodigy play last night because I knew if I went to see Blur I wouldn't have been able to see the stage anyway!

Take it from someone whose just done their 10th Glastonbury.
We need to stop flags from being allowed in front of the stage.

[sufcmatt]

They Might Obstruct Views but a sea of flags looks awesome.
Plus it helps when on phone to your lost mate and you can say i'm by the...(e.g pirate) flag.
I'd Never take a flag myself though!!!

[AndyJ]

ChopperChimp, on Jun 29 2009, 12:16 PM, said:

I think people who stand at the front of the stage and block everyone else view with a huge flag are being totally inconsiderate, probably out of ignorance.  A few flags was ok, but now it's out of hand.

1)  For both the Pyramid and Other stage if you're any further back than the mixer you can't see sh*t.
Especially the Pyramid which is sited on a slope so that those behind are elevated to get a better view of the stage.  But as they're higher up they're at the same height of the flags so that's all they can see.  I don't think some of the people with flags realise this?!

2) I came to that stage to see a band and be with like minded people.  I don't care what country you're from or what team you support.  The Glastonbury spirit is supposed to be about breaking down barriers, not putting them up.

3) The band and all the technical people have all worked hard to make a show for everyone to see and hear.  I have watched the festival evolve over the last 16 years and seen some amazing shows.
When there were only a few flags and you could see the band moving about the stage with some amazing backdrop of audiovisual madness, then that band was showing you what they can do.
Have some respect for that band you're going to see and the people stood behind you.

4) Most of the TV camera shots are now being done from cameras right in front the stage.  More cameras there, puts you the crowd further away from the band.

I went to see The Prodigy play last night because I knew if I went to see Blur I wouldn't have been able to see the stage anyway!

Take it from someone whose just done their 10th Glastonbury.
We need to stop flags from being allowed in front of the stage.

Agree entirely.  The flag situation was raised to another level this year, and it's got ridiculous.

[ChopperChimp]

AndyJ, on Jun 29 2009, 12:30 PM, said:

Agree entirely.  The flag situation was raised to another level this year, and it's got ridiculous.

If someone who reads this took a flag anywhere near the front of a stage I'd like them to try and defend their actions.

Please do, I want to understand why you think it's ok to block other peoples view.

[guyfawkes]

They are not even quirky funny flags anymore, its just "We are PNE" or national flags, at Blur last night especially it was utterly ridiculous and i was half way back of the front section god knows how bad it was for people further back. Made even more annoying when some soft c**t ties a jumper to a short pole and blocks pretty much everyone's view behind it.

[Jet_Moderno]

They were a lot of flags his year, but didnt spoil any perormance for me.

I think people bringing flags should have some relevance to the artists/festival though

Flags like 'Stoke City: We Are Premier League', or dolls heads on sticks, have no place at Bruce Springsteen do they?

[Benj]

There was deffo a marked increase in football flags this year, I think the whole of the Premier and Football League were represented during Kasabian

[Cider Girl]

Much worse this year. They could stop selling them on site at least.

[Mr Greeny]

My own "favourite" flag story?  Got to be Glasto 2003 and The Flaming Lips set before Radiohead.  My missus, a huge FL fan, had lugged an aminal costume all the way to Somerset just to wear at that show, and me and my mates said we'd give her a few shoulder lifts so a) she could see, since she's just over 5ft tall, and b ) so the band might see her.

Believe it or not, that c**t with the Wolves flag, who is one of the prime candidates to blame for the popularity of those evil, view-destroying things, took it upon himself to complain about my missus spoiling his view while on my shoulders, and proceeded to poke her with it until she retreated, in tears, to the ground.

He's a very lucky guy that we managed to restrain one of our party, who is no strnger to a punch-up, from going up and giving him a good kicking.

W*nker.

Edited by Mr Greeny, 29 June 2009 - 01:15 PM.

[Langdale Wolf]

Benj, on Jun 29 2009, 01:59 PM, said:

There was deffo a marked increase in football flags this year, I think the whole of the Premier and Football League were represented during Kasabian

Copy cats.

The Wolves flag is the original and best.  The rest are shite.

[Steve P]

Having your flag at your camp site  
Taking that flag to the front of a stage  

[amfy]

If you are far enough away to have your view obscured by flags, lets face it, the band are little specks on the horizon anyway.

I love the overall way the flags look, I don't really care what they say or whether they are amusing.

I remember when I first took my partner in 2004 he said he loved the feeling of being thrown back to Chaucerian times with everyone fetching water in the morning etc. The flags fit in with that olden feel to me - it feels like people metaphorically lining up their armies in front of the various stages - kind of "nailing their colours to the mast" and it also has a bit of an anarchic feel.

It has also fitted in with the Glastonbury vibe to me as it has got me talking to people on our campsite when I have seen that they have been to particular bands because I've seen their flag at the front and at their tent.

We can keep having this debate, but stopping flags would necessitate a level of security around stages that is very anti- Glasto so I think it's best to try to learn to love them!

(BTW - never taken one myself)