46 replies to this topic

[readingyid]

As a loyal Reading goer , Reading has to really pull up it's socks to compare with Glasto, it is the ultimate festival!! I know eveyone will say it doesn't cater for the heavy music fans , which is true . But the atomsphere and the amount of things to do and see make it a must, to any music fan !!

Give it try , believe me it's worth it!!

[Lithium05]

In fairness, in terms of atmosphere and stuff to do, Reading needs to pull it's socks up compared to Download, let alone Glasto!

[robsadler]

i've not been to glasto before but think i might try and get a few mates down there next year!
it does always look good to be fair.
robx

[twenty_foot_chickens]

I prefer Leeds to Glasto   (Just got back).

[robsadler]

why is that can i ask?
robx

[SJH]

I've got tickets for Reading this year; wish I had spent the money on Glasto instead tbh.

Edited by SJH, 29 June 2009 - 05:21 PM.

[Lithium05]

SJH, on Jun 29 2009, 06:20 PM, said:

I've got tickets for Reading this year; wish I had spent the money on Glasto instead tbh.

Same.

I almost started this same topic about Download. There is so much more to do at Download outside the arena, and I think that's why Reading always has so much more trouble than Download

[beLIEveR]

Completely agree with that.

There's a tradeoff between lineups and experience. I've always gone to Reading because on balance it's always had the best lineup of festivals I was able to go to (Download's usually out of the question). In fairness it probably edges the lineup stakes again, but I might have gone for Glasto this year if my money wasn't already tied up with Reading and Sonisphere.

Next year I'm only going to buy my early entry in the pre-sale, and if I don't get hold of a ticket legitimately when the bands are announced, I'll either volunteer or not go.

Edited by beLIEveR, 29 June 2009 - 05:52 PM.

[rexclark]

Gutted I couldn't make it to Glasto this year but I'm definately gonna try for tickets next year. Might give Leeds a miss.

[Jung]

SJH, on Jun 29 2009, 06:20 PM, said:

I've got tickets for Reading this year; wish I had spent the money on Glasto instead tbh.

Yea same if I'm honest. The only thing that swayed it for me this year was the mates I'm going with, but it seems to be dwindling each year so I'm just going to go to Glasto for the music next year and not worry about who's coming with me

[thomasowen]

I was really regretting not going to Glasto this year based on the lineup but on reflection after seeing it on TV I'm very glad I didn't.

I always forget two vital things - 1) It is SO big and I really wouldn't like being at such a massive festival. 2) I think there is less emphasis on the music, which is great, but at this stage of my life I don't want that. I know they have a great, diverse lineup but the emphasis is much more on other things such as the shagri la field and trash city.

[thetime]

thomasowen, on Jun 29 2009, 11:06 PM, said:

I was really regretting not going to Glasto this year based on the lineup but on reflection after seeing it on TV I'm very glad I didn't.

I always forget two vital things - 1) It is SO big and I really wouldn't like being at such a massive festival.

I feel its far more crowded/cramped at other festivals especially reading where everything is so condensed its like sardines in a tin.

[thomasowen]

thetime, on Jun 29 2009, 11:10 PM, said:

I feel its far more crowded/cramped at other festivals especially reading where everything is so condensed its like sardines in a tin.

Perhaps, tbh I never really feel this at Leeds though I know a lot do. My main problem with the size is the size of the crowds at the stages which are huge at Glasto.

[hearing_aid]

thomasowen, on Jun 29 2009, 11:06 PM, said:

I was really regretting not going to Glasto this year based on the lineup but on reflection after seeing it on TV I'm very glad I didn't.

I always forget two vital things - 1) It is SO big and I really wouldn't like being at such a massive festival. 2) I think there is less emphasis on the music, which is great, but at this stage of my life I don't want that. I know they have a great, diverse lineup but the emphasis is much more on other things such as the shagri la field and trash city.

The emphasis is not on other things at all, thats the great thing about Glasto it can be exactly what you want it. You want it to be purely music then you going to see more music then any other festival with probably the best atmosphere. Obvioulsy it can be the opposite and you don't have to see any music at all and you won't see everything.

[VCK]

Just got back from my first Glasto, and it was better than the four times I've been to Leeds.

[twenty_foot_chickens]

robsadler, on Jun 29 2009, 06:10 PM, said:

why is that can i ask?
robx

It's just far too big a walk between stages, you can't watch the first of someone and catch the end of someone else, and that I didn't like. This isn't the case at Leeds.

I was kind of expecting it to be something different, but bar the Arcadia, strip it away and it's just another festival. Some good bands, and I had a really good time, but I think I was expecting something else that's all.

[Budweiser]

The only downer of glastonbury i could find was the amount of flags people used.

[micawber]

Just got back from my first Glasto. I'll probably stick with Reading next year.

Glasto is just too huuuuge. They have 1000's of acts on but you'll see fewer bands than at Reading because of the sheer logistics of the place. I found it pretty frustrating missing stuff all over the place. Reading is crammed in the arena, but it is never more than a 400 yard walk to get into a quieter place. The gaps between bands felt 5/10 minutes longer too. I'll have to check this year.

But do try Glasto. I'm sure that most people would love it. Just don't set your expectations too high. The camping is just as crammed, and if you are late on site then you'll be miles from the action. I loved the greater variety of food, drinks, stores and activities at Glasto, but it didn't compensate me for less music. The disabled facilities looked less friendly at Glasto as well if that's a factor in your choice.

[kittycat100]

micawber, on Jun 30 2009, 11:06 AM, said:

Just got back from my first Glasto. I'll probably stick with Reading next year.

Glasto is just too huuuuge. They have 1000's of acts on but you'll see fewer bands than at Reading because of the sheer logistics of the place. I found it pretty frustrating missing stuff all over the place. Reading is crammed in the arena, but it is never more than a 400 yard walk to get into a quieter place. The gaps between bands felt 5/10 minutes longer too. I'll have to check this year.

But do try Glasto. I'm sure that most people would love it. Just don't set your expectations too high. The camping is just as crammed, and if you are late on site then you'll be miles from the action. I loved the greater variety of food, drinks, stores and activities at Glasto, but it didn't compensate me for less music. The disabled facilities looked less friendly at Glasto as well if that's a factor in your choice.

These are the sort of things that concern me about Glasto too - the sheer size and spread of the site.

Don't get me wrong, I really want to go and see what its all about, but I do worry that I'll go and see the music and come home feeling I've missed what Glasto is 'about' by not seeing all the other stuff, or I'll go see that and feel I've missed too much music.

I do like the soubnd of some of the stuff they have going on at Download, but TBh the lineup there is usually a bit too heavy for me there, like Glasto is often a little too 'light'.

[VCK]

Glasto is insanely huge and there were times when I thought my feet would drop off, but the atmosphere was a lot nicer than Leeds and it was good to relax in the campsite on Sunday night without fear of being hit by flying shrapnel!