31 replies to this topic

[Mikkelbenno]

Up to now I was thinking I was going to take a small rucksack to carry camera / warm clothes / drink / etc. However, went to a gig with it tonight and found it a hassle. Whats your opinion on carrying a bag around the festival? I don't want to hallucinate myself into a pack mule. Think I might end up with a bag complex, however, the same can be true of pockets.

Also, I'm seriously considering leaving my camera / flip cam at home as I find it takes away some of the magic and I am constantly wondering 'should I be recording this? Any thoughts on this?

[Polwhirl]

we normally bring a bag with cans and stuff in it and take it in turns to carry it through the day, beats going back your tent all the time. I'd bring a camera personally as theres so much weird shit going on, its funny to look back on (and you can add them to the glasto image thread on here   )

[FestMonster]

I always cally a rucksack full of beer apart from the weight I dont find it much hassle I just asked a about taking a DSLR based on what people have said I think I'm going go use it for bits of each day and leave it in the locks ups at night so I can enjoy the festival i say take it or you will regret it latter and remeber it's a gap year next year so no Glastonbury

[grumpyhack]

If you're going to be spending the day wandering round the fest you are certainly going to need something to drink and you've got to carry it in something.  A small rucksack is probaby easiest.  I always take a camera because there are so many wonderful sights to capture and you'll regret it if you haven't got one with you.  But I just take a small digital job I can carry in a pocket.  I also carry a fold up chair with me to sit from time to time and chill and watch the world go by.

[Greenish]

i take a bag for cans and waterproofs - wouldn't be without it.  still nothing in it that i don't care about losing, so i can sling it nearby when i'm having a boogie and won't worry about it going missing.

[halfpint]

Greenish, on 11 May 2011 - 10:50 PM, said:

i take a bag for cans and waterproofs - wouldn't be without it.  still nothing in it that i don't care about losing, so i can sling it nearby when i'm having a boogie and won't worry about it going missing.

I always take a bag - its amazing the essentials you can fit in one.  Last year my trusty day sack broke so a i bought a child rucksack the wseek before - it was great.  Fitted all my essentials and even had two pockets on the side for juice cartons AKA 2 cans of beer!  Also doubled up as a pillow whne i would collapse in a heap from the heat.  Never would be without bag at a festival.

[jimmystobo]

[markeee]

A bag is a deffo yes, fill it with lager/ciders duiring the day

at night..return to campsite, fill it with spirits and chuck a hoodie in incase it gets cold

absolute essential

[LondonTom]

Not much hassle at all really, I took a draw string one with me and a couple of days used the free guardian ones. Took  a few cans and such in the bag. (Did originally decide on using  a bag as she kept moaning about sticking bottles of water and my rain jacket in her handbag when we went TiTP ). Got my digital camara on in case that fits on my belt nicely Sorted!

[MamaJojo]

I got a little animal bag that has an adjustable strap, can just wear it round your waist like a belt, sounds w*nky but it doesn't look too bad and you don't even notice it, just big enough for cash/phone/camera

[ukslim]

You probably need a bag. A festival is not the same as a normal gig.

Filming/photography is a tricky one for me.

Seeing something cool and thinking, "ooh, I'll snap that" is one thing.

Taking a DSLR around and doing "proper" photography takes a lot of your attention away from the important business of engaging with the festival. I've got around this by going on a purposeful photography walk to get some pictures, then putting the camera away -- although it's in the bag in case it's needed.

I think filming video takes even more of your attention away from engaging with the here and now. I wouldn't do much of it, although it's your choice.

[Gnomicide]

If you've taken a camping chair for use at your tent, put your beer in the bag it comes in for the day. Once empty it weighs next to nothing. Also, if you have any clothes in it, it makes a comfy pillow for mid afternoon naps.

[sparklydocs]

I usually take a small Camelbak (not too bulky and gets lighter as the day goes on!)  vodka in the bladder bit and there are a couple of smaller pockets on the outside for things like camera, mobile, suncream, waterproof etc and squishy enough to use as a pillow  

[geebus]

I avoid a bag where possible generally.
Can generally fit everything I need in my pockets (can get a few beers in if wearing 'cargo pants' etc).
Just take a small camera that will fit in my pocket... though still just about managed my 'bridge' camera in 08 ok.

Definitely don't want a bag when properly in a crowd towards the front for big bands - always getting hit by people with them on their back when they turn etc, never mind trying to crowd surf.

I'm considering taking my new dSLR this year, but if I do, it'll be a case of having it all in a bag and leaving that bag at a lock up; grabbing the bag and going on a 'photography walk', then returning the bag to the lock up.

Oh and waterproofs = spare bin bag folded, in pocket.  Also happily use it for sitting on, or even for putting rubbish in if needed!

[Mr Ploppy]

Imagine this...

Someone says to you that they can give you a little box to take to Glasto.  This magic box will come in useful when you are having fun as all you need to do is take out the little box, point it at something and press a button.  The box will then feeze time inside itself and capture everything you can see in glorious sun-soaked colour.

Then imagine that when you get home and are chatting about how hazy your drunken memories are of certain events you can plug the magic little box into a PC/TV and actually see everything you saw all those weeks ago.

Even imagine when you are 92 and dont want to go to Glasto because the 'legends' afternoon spot is taken up by a now aged Katy Perry, you can look back on the good old days of Glastobury 2011 because you took your magic little box.

I think what I am trying to say is - don't go there without a pocket camera.  

[topmarksbri]

I would say take a bag, keep some essentials in there, don't want to be caught out miles away from your tent with no booze/toilet paper/warm clothes. I would advise taking anything massive though, my main rucksack comes with a detachable bag which is what I use, but those cheap draw stringy things would also be good.

Def take a camera, gives me so much pleasure to be able to look at photos months after and then talk to mates about the memories the next day.

[geebus]

But then, imagine this...
You can take an evil little box with you.  All the time, it will try and grab your attention, making you look at the most exciting things happening through a small portal, missing out on the bigger scene.  While your friends are walking on, it'll still be keeping you lagging behind, making funny little flashes at other people.

When you're 95 and have forgotten your kids names, you'll end up just confusing them by showing them at fuzzy pics at odd angles, when you could have have just pointed them at the 'boston.com the big picture' site which manages to really capture the feel of the festival.

I do like having a camera, but also do try and put it away and just enjoy the moment some times - it's easy to get focused on 'capturing the moment' and completely ignore actually enjoying the moment for what it is.

At the Weston Supermare Beach race once (when I was spectating rather than watching) I did just stick a head mounted camera on and record the whole thing (only 3 hours).  Did get some good bits, but never bothered to make a proper video of it.

Oh and yes - bit of toilet roll/couple of baby wipes in a pocket too.

[ukslim]

Mr Ploppy, on 12 May 2011 - 09:25 AM, said:

Imagine this...

Someone says to you that they can give you a little box to take to Glasto.  This magic box will come in useful when you are having fun as all you need to do is take out the little box, point it at something and press a button.  The box will then feeze time inside itself and capture everything you can see in glorious sun-soaked colour.

geebus, on 12 May 2011 - 09:57 AM, said:

But then, imagine this...

You can take an evil little box with you.  All the time, it will try and grab your attention, making you look at the most exciting things happening through a small portal, missing out on the bigger scene.  While your friends are walking on, it'll still be keeping you lagging behind, making funny little flashes at other people.

I love and recognise both of these. The solution is to take the magic box with you, but make a conscious effort not to allow it to become the evil box.

Dare I say it, it's like drink and drugs... or the internet... a wonderful thing when used responsibly, but a dangerous abyss if you let it become so.

[Stu H]

I carried around a drawstring bag last year and didn't find it a hassle at all. I just put it at my feet when we found our spot. That was, until I used it as a pillow for a 20 min power nap in between Snoop and Vampire Weekend, then forgot about it!
Luckily it only had a cap and water in it!

[Mr Ploppy]

You are completely right geebus and I agree with you.  There were times I have only seen events through the LCD of my camera.

Saying that though, I always enjoy the moment and my memories stay vivid - but when I see a good quality high res photo of somewhere I enjoyed - the whole memory becomes real for me.

It depends I suppose how good a photographer you are, if you are the type that takes fuzzy blured shots, or stands at the back of a dark tent trying to take a photo of the stage with full digital zoom and the flash - then probably worth restricting shots and enjoying it more with your eyes.

On the other hand, if you know your camera and have an eye for a shot and know the shot will be a good one without wasting vast amounts of time clicking away, then a camera is a time machine for memories that doesnt intrude much.