51 replies to this topic

[Bernsville]

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums.  Flag carriers are either labelled as either wanting to get noticed on TV or they are trying to zany and random.  
I carry a flag at Glasto, and it's not for either of these reasons.  If I get seperated from my kids, which happens in big crowds, it is the easiest way for them to quickly find me.  Even 12 and 10 year olds find being seperated in a large crowd worrying.  Mobile phones are useless in noisy environments.
Also I think the flags, inflatable throwing, and people sitting on shoulders, is one part that sets Glasto apart from other festivals and gives it that lighthearted sense of fun.  It doesn't have that anger such as Reading, or the sterile commercialism of V.
I think that people who complain really need to lighten up.  Having your view hindered is a pain, but you could just move yourself, with or without folding chair to a better vantage point.

[strolling wanderer]

Bernsville, on Mar 27 2010, 06:46 PM, said:

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums.  Flag carriers are either labelled as either wanting to get noticed on TV or they are trying to zany and random.  
I carry a flag at Glasto, and it's not for either of these reasons.  If I get seperated from my kids, which happens in big crowds, it is the easiest way for them to quickly find me.  Even 12 and 10 year olds find being seperated in a large crowd worrying.  Mobile phones are useless in noisy environments.
Also I think the flags, inflatable throwing, and people sitting on shoulders, is one part that sets Glasto apart from other festivals and gives it that lighthearted sense of fun.  It doesn't have that anger such as Reading, or the sterile commercialism of V.
I think that people who complain really need to lighten up.  Having your view hindered is a pain, but you could just move yourself, with or without folding chair to a better vantage point.

I think you may have missed the point here because the main reason most of us are sick to death of flags is that there are way too f##king many of them blocking the view of the stages. So it's not so easy to just move one way or the other because your view will still be blocked by another herd of flag wavers.
Maybe they should create a coral over to one side of the main arena areas for the flag wavers to go an stand in and then the rest of us could get on with having fun watching the  bands on the stage and not have to duck and weave about to see what is happening.

[Neville Street]

As somebody who has been fairly vehement in berating certain flags, I have sympathy with the OP here.  We took a home made flag, not too big, and flew it around the site a few times.  Our friends found it easy to find us, it got us chatting to some people in really random ways (the flag was a hand painted dog), and was generally "a good thing".  We weren't hoping to be seen on TV, or trying to be zany, it was "our flag" and it definitely added to our overall experience in a small way.  Not having it would not be the end of the world, but us having it wasn't the end of anybody elses world.  The problem is the sheer volume in front of the main stages, and there is no simple way I can think of to restrict the numbers.  One thing that had a definite effect is the sale on site of flags and poles.

Anyway, bit of an inconclusive ramble.  We will take our flag again and fly it at camp.  We may venture out with it too, but will see how the land lies.  It is quite possible that the "anti" feeling is one of those forum factors more than an actual backlash.

Cheers, NS

[jameshunt]

Bernsville, on Mar 27 2010, 06:46 PM, said:

...
I think that people who complain really need to lighten up.  Having your view hindered is a pain, but you could just move yourself, with or without folding chair to a better vantage point.

How is it possible for 70,000 people to move themselves in front of the hundreds of flags blocking any view of the Pyramid stage?

Have you really thought this through or simply don't give a shit?  

[maninkilt]

I think that most people only have a problem with flags in the crowd during an actual set, lets be honest there is no way that your flag isn't going to block someones veiw and no way that you dont know this. I like to see flags, we look out for witty or funny ones (though there were not too many of those last year, and I really dont need to know what team you support), I think that the point of them being usefull as a rallying point for people is a valid one but look at some of the pictures of the pyramid stage this year, its becoming a flag festival with background music ( I know, a total exageration but trying to make a point).

I (and I think others) have absolutely no problems with flags except when bands are playing, as has been stated many times and illustrated with pics on other threads you cant just move, they are far too numerous. And to be honest why should people move? we are not talking about some one who is tall and has every right to thier spot in the crowd (different thread again) flags effectively take up or diminish the quality of numerous spots behind for something that you choose to do.

Hope you dont think I am haveing a go, you original post was sensible and well put.

I would say though that flags are not festy marmite, not just a matter of love or hate, me eating marmite dosent affect you.

[Staberinde]

Bernsville, on Mar 27 2010, 06:46 PM, said:

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums.

Let me re-phrase the problem.

I don't like the things people hold above their heads blocking the view of the stage so you cant see the performers.

Flags, they're great, at a tent, there are fields of them for shear eye candy, set up by the organisers.

I dont take my kids to Glasto (yet) but at other festivals I too have a flag I connect to the oldest, he's 5.

It's not flags as such, it's not being able to see the bloody stage !

[MEGABOWL]

The whole point is not bringing a flag. It's taking it to the front of the main stages.

[4AssedMonkey]

There were times last year when the "pit" in front of the Pyramid was so chock full of bloody flags that you literally could not see any of the stage.  That means that the many thousands of people stood further back can't see what they came for due to the selfish ignorant actions of a much smaller segment of the crowd.

I agree that they work as a method of tracking people down in crowds, but you can't honestly tell me that the majority of the flag bearers in this situation have that as their motivation.  They DO want to be noticed and DO think it makes them "a character" and DO think they'll be on TV.  It actually makes them a sad, deluded, unoriginal, selfish scroat.

[Bernsville]

There have been some great points made here, some made more forcefully than others!  
I do actually care whether people can see, as I would hate to think that I was blocking someones view, and spoiling their enjoyment, although I tend to stick to the edges of the areas as a personal preference.
An area for flag wavers is an idea, but then all those who are keen to be seen would only choose something else, huge inflatables, 10 ft hats, whatever.  
I do think that with each festival the flags have become more and more prominent, and if does become a massive problem, then the popular consensus would be to ban
them.  Perhaps there should be an annual referendum, like the one held this year?  Wasn't it around 60/40 against banning them?

[4AssedMonkey]

Hmm.  I'm not really comfortable with the idea of a ban.  Telling people what they can and can't do is very New Labour thinking IMO "oh, a minor problem - pass some legislation".  Doesn't solve anything and is very un-Glasto.  Perhaps some sort of campaign around the main stages asking people to be more considerate?  Coming from the organisers might carry some gravitas.

[ampersand]

4AssedMonkey, on Mar 27 2010, 09:49 PM, said:

Hmm.  I'm not really comfortable with the idea of a ban.  Telling people what they can and can't do is very New Labour thinking IMO "oh, a minor problem - pass some legislation".  Doesn't solve anything and is very un-Glasto.  Perhaps some sort of campaign around the main stages asking people to be more considerate?  Coming from the organisers might carry some gravitas.

just increase the green police presence and embarrass people. like they do for those pishing in the bushes.

[HurrahBrother]

Staberinde, on Mar 27 2010, 07:52 PM, said:

Let me re-phrase the problem.

It's not flags as such, it's not being able to see the bloody stage !

Indeed

[rexclark]

From watching it on TV it's getting out of hand, it used to add to the atmosphere but now I can only imagine it causes an annoyance.

[guypjfreak]

for finding kids fine   but only 1 in 20 or more of those flags bearers have kids the rest are kids waving there effing flag so they can say hey look thats me its   those that need to be told
PUT THE FLAGS AWAY

[TheGreenDropsRule]

My wife got these joke rubber cows for christmas, with a flashing LED light inside.  They're floursent pink and maybe about 20cm long.  We're gonna tape a couple to 3-4 foot bamboo canes.  When we need to find each other in a crowd, they can be held aloft and brought down once reunited, barely blocking anyones view anyway.

Have seen lots of similar things previous years, so I just can't see that sticking up a 15 foot high, two metre square flag through the whole of a performance can be excused by "It's to help people find me".  Just a rubbish excuse.

[Howl]

I appreciate its annoying if you're trying to find someone in a massive crowd and flags are a handy way of getting around that. But also watching a band on your own at Glasto is not the end of the world. At worst you'll watch one band on your own and then be able to find your friends either at the edges or in the thinned out crowds inbetween acts or, at best get chatting to one of the many many friendly folk at the festival or have a golden oppourtunity to stroll around on your own for a few hours taking it all in by yourself.

Such an attitude of 'I MUST stand next to the people I know all festival' is akin to going to go from band to band you like on a strict timetable seeing nothing you don't already know about inbetween. In my opinion I poorer way to experience Glastonbury.

(I appreciate the original post mentioned children being on their own. That is of course a different matter altogether)

[Kyelo]

4AssedMonkey, on Mar 27 2010, 10:49 PM, said:

Hmm.  I'm not really comfortable with the idea of a ban..."oh, a minor problem - pass some legislation".  Doesn't solve anything

Although I kind of agree with what you said a ban would solve something, it would allow people a clear view which is the only problem people have with flags.

[grumpyhack]

Bernsville, on Mar 27 2010, 07:46 PM, said:

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums. Flag carriers are either labelled as either wanting to get noticed on TV or they are trying to zany and random.
I carry a flag at Glasto, and it's not for either of these reasons. If I get seperated from my kids, which happens in big crowds, it is the easiest way for them to quickly find me. Even 12 and 10 year olds find being seperated in a large crowd worrying. Mobile phones are useless in noisy environments.

Sure a flag can help your kids or friends find you but it's a pretty a weak excuse for waving a flag at the front of a main stage.  If you are really concerned about meeting friends or your kids, go to one side, to a less crowded area and meet up.  Then take your flag down if you want to go and stand at the front.

We go as a group and tend to go our separate ways for parts of the day and then meet up at pre-arranged times and pre-arranged places - but we don't choose the packed front of a stage as a meeting point.

[denwyn]

Bernsville, on Mar 27 2010, 07:46 PM, said:

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums. Flag carriers are either labelled as either wanting to get noticed on TV or they are trying to zany and random.
I carry a flag at Glasto, and it's not for either of these reasons. If I get seperated from my kids, which happens in big crowds, it is the easiest way for them to quickly find me. Even 12 and 10 year olds find being seperated in a large crowd worrying. Mobile phones are useless in noisy environments.
Also I think the flags, inflatable throwing, and people sitting on shoulders, is one part that sets Glasto apart from other festivals and gives it that lighthearted sense of fun. It doesn't have that anger such as Reading, or the sterile commercialism of V.
I think that people who complain really need to lighten up. Having your view hindered is a pain, but you could just move yourself, with or without folding chair to a better vantage point.

YOU NEED A FLAG TO FIND YOUR KIDS !!!!!....maybe if you put the flag down and kept an eye on your kids it would be better
Very poor excuse to wave a flag,not a good idea to take your kids to front of stage areas

YOU JUST DON'T GET THE FLAG THING DO YOU...THEY ARE A BLOODY NUSANCE AT MAIN STAGES...KEEP THEM WITH YOUR TENT

[remote]

What I don't get is this - You get your flag and you go to the front with your mates/kids, they decide they want to leave you and you want to stay, some time passes and they want to come back. They see your flag but 9 times out of 10, it's a bitch to get back to the front of a stage after you've left, especially in the evening, so, unless they're lucky and/or barge their way past, it's going to be difficult for them to get back to you anyway. Regardless of if they can see where you are or not.

If I've ever wanted to watch more than one or two bands with all my mates, we tend to either stay together or move to the side/back where there's more space and it's easier to find each other. Much easier than lugging a bloody great big flag around.