221 replies to this topic

[matt27]

it's not a case of bringing in draconian measures to prevent people bringing them near the stage, just a request every now and again to keep them down, or perhaps putting something in with the tickets to ask people not to bring them as they block people's view

got to be worth a try

[budvar]

I knew this topic would come up for debate here because it did seem to become something of a problem. This was my 5th Glasto and it certainly feels like there was a lot more flags in front of the Pyramid than I've seen before.

I really don't like the word 'ban' being mentioned in connection with Glasto. A plea might be better.

I agree that a few look good. I also feel that most people with flags do it so they can see themseleves on TV (or others can spot them) - which seems a little silly really. You just have to look at where the majority of flag wavers stand to understand the mentality.

As mentioned above it came up at the Q+A and Michael said they could look to make the TV tower taller - I suspect this will just lead to larger flags.

A tricky debate.

[oafc0000]

The number of flags this year was a little crazy...

Usally you will find a shed load down the front and maybe a couple dotted around further back...

This time their was tons more than normal down the front and loads going all the way back....

You cant ban them as its impossible to police...  Just got to hope some people stop being selfish pricks...

[oafc0000]

Mr Greeny, on Jun 29 2009, 02:14 PM, said:

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.

You sound lovely....

[Peetle]

Glasto has (generally) succeeded in appealing to people's better judgement regarding rubbish, peeing in the hedges, etc.  I'd hope something like a note with the tickets saying "please respect other festival goers and do not bring large flags to the main arenas".  The odd small one is alright, but some need several people to hold them up.

Also, the flag wavers just show what a lack of imagination they have - I didn't go this year but all weekend you could see the same flags in the main arenas  - they clearly didn't go anywhere else in case they missed their vital 15 minutes of TV fame.

If you want to get on the telly at Glasto, get a band together and get a gig...

[Langdale Wolf]

oafc0000, on Jun 29 2009, 03:32 PM, said:

You sound lovely....

Well he did say it was before the Radiohead slot.  Maybe the flag knocked his razorblade collection out of his pocket meaning he had to watch them self-harm free?

[Langdale Wolf]

Peetle, on Jun 29 2009, 03:33 PM, said:

If you want to get on the telly at Glasto, get a band together and get a gig...

Or organise a footy match!

[Homer]

I like the watch the screens comments. Quite often my view of the screens was blocked by flags! And watched most things from in front of the sound stage. Also, not an option at Rolf.

[oafc0000]

Langdale Wolf, on Jun 29 2009, 03:34 PM, said:

Well he did say it was before the Radiohead slot.  Maybe the flag knocked his razorblade collection out of his pocket meaning he had to watch them self-harm free?

Its funny how he fails to see how his act is even more selfish than what the flag people do...

"Go on, get up there love, have a great view, and f**k everyone behind you"     knob..

Edited by oafc0000, 29 June 2009 - 02:37 PM.

[windy_miller]

Way way too many flags this year.  I couldn't even see the Madness sax player flying around the stage from where I was stood, and I don't think I saw Tom Jones once.  And it gets even more annoying when they block the screen too

Edited by windy_miller, 29 June 2009 - 02:43 PM.

[keerho]

shoulder climbers are just ignorant feckers with no regard for anyone
if u want to wave a flag,feckoff to th back

[danbailey80]

guyfawkes, on Jun 29 2009, 01:32 PM, said:

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.

i agree....the absolute worst flags of all must be the national flags....who gives a f**k if your welsh?   equally irratating this year where people who had three flags attached to one pole? why oh why?

Edited by danbailey80, 29 June 2009 - 03:08 PM.

[Langdale Wolf]

danbailey80, on Jun 29 2009, 04:07 PM, said:

i agree....the absolute worst flags of all must be the national flags....who gives a f**k if your welsh?   equally irratating this year where people who had three flags attached to one pole? why oh why?

Sounds okay to me.  My dad is always telling me there are too many poles in this country nowadays.

<coat>

[2/Z]

il shout you a taxi mate

[doogleisadog]

Langdale Wolf, on Jun 29 2009, 03:34 PM, said:

Well he did say it was before the Radiohead slot.  Maybe the flag knocked his razorblade collection out of his pocket meaning he had to watch them self-harm free?

please dont use self harm as a way to take the piss.

[parsonjack]

If the owner of the 'I love SAUSAGE' banner would like to pm me his address i've just been to Sainsbury on the way home and bought the biggest one i could find...i'll happily travel wherever in the UK to deliver it personally....somewhere really f***in painful.

do us all a favour next year and leave it home eh?

[Dozy67]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE can the Glasto organizers make this issue with flags known to all. Only a very small percentage of festival goers will read these posts and the majority will not even know its a problem. I'm sure if the flag people realise how much they are ruining a fantastic experience for others they will relent to pressure without banning.

My wife and I took our 3 daughters for the first time this year and had to experience the stages from further back than we normally do. The flags actually spoilt it for me. Even though we could see the screens most of the time I still would like to to see the stage without my view hindered. I didn't pay all that money and do all that walking to look at a load of flags.

I think they are great to have were you are camping, for atmosphere and to help find your tent, but leave it at that. I'm sure if this was known on the Glasto website and flashed up on the screens common sense would prevail.

[Mackem]

scappaflow, on Jun 29 2009, 09:21 AM, said:

I love flags.

I had no problem seeing the stage and it would not be what Glastonbury is about to 'ban' flags.

You were probably low down then - once you get to the sound desk it's impossible. And that accounts for about 80% of the crowd for the biggest acts (and the most flags). I just gave up trying and watched the screens - when they weren't obscured themselves by flags. Even then they often chose a camera angle where the stage was obliterated half the time by an out-of-focus flag. That doesn't add to the atmosphere - it's just unprofessional and annoying. If I see that bloody Stoke City flag again that they seemed so obsessed with during Springsteen I'll torch it!

Why not just create an exclusion zone for flags in front of the stage. If you want to use a flag, fine, but you'll have to stand further back like the rest of us. If you want to get near the front, leave your flag behind or give it to your mate further up the field where it'll be useful as a marker.

I'd read somewhere that Emily had a forum for feedback on how to improve the festival experience. Where its it?

Bloke down the pub, on Jun 29 2009, 12:13 PM, said:

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

    

Edited by Mackem, 29 June 2009 - 04:50 PM.

[Cole89]

I'll add my hatred as well for the flags, mind due to someones credit there was a flag made of strongbow cans duct taped together and a box on the top. I thought that was class!

[MieleBee]

mrlibertine, on Jun 29 2009, 03:15 AM, said:

Have to say I feel the numbers of flags got a bit silly this year. I would have loved to see the stage at some point but the shear number of flags totally obliterated it for most of the weekend. Does anyone else think its got all a bit out of hand?

The flag situation was really bad this year. I think they should be at least kept towards the back rather than right down the from row. At one point someone went down the front with what was about the size of a bl**dy blanket and obscured the view of everyone stood behind him.