27 replies to this topic

[Mr Ploppy]

Just something I thought I would throw out there.

Over the years there have been amazing bands and artists that I would have like to have seen in 'the real world'.

You know, legends and well established bands like Crowded House, Madness, Ray Davies, Stevie Wonder etc etc.

Now, I am not a 'fan' of any of those artists just mentioned but would have been eager to watch them anywhere if someone had invited me to as I have never seen them before and respect the musical history they have built up.

But...

Because they are at Glasto and because the site has so many amazing jaw dropping things going on all at the same time, I tend to move around alot and take in as much of the site as possible.  This often means that I watch bands I like but tend to purposely miss bands I know I should be watching for fear of missing out on something else.

Glastonbury is amazing, but strange as it sounds, its the one place I will miss out on some great music.  I guess its a case of being spoilt for choice really.

Its my annual regret that when mates say "I went and watched (insert band here) last night and they were amazing", I usually reply "oh yeah, they were at Glasto last year".  The obvious next line uttered to me is "any good at Glasto"? to which quite often my reply is "dunno, never watched them".  Probably due to being elsewhere watching a high wire act whilst a group of stilt walkers looking like giant cats bimble past as 3 Charlie Chaplin look-a-likes tip their hats at a drunken festival goer and a person dressed up as a huge bluebottle starts grabbing groups of passers by all the while hearing a guy with a telescope made of cardboard tubes explaining to a festival goer that if he looks over there he will see a shooting star as another man with a tin foil star on a string runs past.

You get my meaning?

So much to do and see and so little time.

I BLOOMIN' LOVE IT!  

[anoldhippie@60]

I always make sure that I see the bands that I want to see and bimble about the rest of the time.

Edited by anoldhippie@60, 12 May 2011 - 09:33 AM.

[whisty]

Know what you mean. Last year spent 1/2 hour Saturday night headline slot time watching these with a nice small crowd. Caught them 2007, funniest thing, 5 peeps in there playing, was great to see them back again. Look back at the line up and think, wtf was I doing

Edited by whisty, 12 May 2011 - 11:00 AM.

[Homer]

I'm the opposite, I'll sometimes see a 'legend' band on the basis that I would never be inclined to go to one of their gigs but they're allegedly amazing (Bruce Springsteen sprngs to mind - he was alright).

[Liam13th]

Disagree, for the same reason as Homer (above)

[fnchy77]

I agree with you Mr Ploppy..... I always go through and mark off the bands I really want to see beforehand. Pointless exercise as  when I actually get to the festival, I end up only seeing a few of them as I get sidetracked / distracted by all the other stuff going on. Never ever disappointed that I didn't get to see a band though as I always have a great time.

[ukslim]

Ploppy speaks truth.

Stevie Wonder, you know, him out of the 70s and 80s, is playing over there, but I'm too enthralled by the contortionist I'm watching in the cabaret tent.

[Mr Ploppy]

I suppose this topic will divide opinion (and already has).

It was different many years ago when I first went to Glastonbury as being at the iconic Pyramid stage was the pinnicle of everything.  However I very quickly realised that the pinnicle of everything Glasto is wandering around and not having a clue what you will see, hear or who you will meet.

I tend to walk straight past the Pyramid most times now and just keep walking until something bizare stops me in my tracks - which doesnt take long.

lol @ your Stevie comment ukslim.

[russycarps]

the pinnacle of glastonbury for me will always be watching your favourite band putting on a legendary show.

All the weird and wonderful stuff is ace, but the truly magicial moments are created by the bands, I reckon.

[spikytom]

I'm going to firmly sit on the fence on this one. I've seen some amazing performances from legends who i wouldn't go and see outside the festival, but its the random stuff that makes it Glastonbury!

There have been a couple of must-sees (e.g. Stevie Wonder) that i wouldn't have missed for anything, but i'd be willing to miss 99.9% of stuff if i was having more fun doing/ watching something random and unexpected.

[Alf Tupper]

Mr Ploppy, on 12 May 2011 - 09:15 AM, said:

Just something I thought I would throw out there.

Over the years there have been amazing bands and artists that I would have like to have seen in 'the real world'.

You know, legends and well established bands like Crowded House, Madness, Ray Davies, Stevie Wonder etc etc.

Now, I am not a 'fan' of any of those artists just mentioned but would have been eager to watch them anywhere if someone had invited me to as I have never seen them before and respect the musical history they have built up.

But...

Because they are at Glasto and because the site has so many amazing jaw dropping things going on all at the same time, I tend to move around alot and take in as much of the site as possible.  This often means that I watch bands I like but tend to purposely miss bands I know I should be watching for fear of missing out on something else.

Glastonbury is amazing, but strange as it sounds, its the one place I will miss out on some great music.  I guess its a case of being spoilt for choice really.

Its my annual regret that when mates say "I went and watched (insert band here) last night and they were amazing", I usually reply "oh yeah, they were at Glasto last year".  The obvious next line uttered to me is "any good at Glasto"? to which quite often my reply is "dunno, never watched them".  Probably due to being elsewhere watching a high wire act whilst a group of stilt walkers looking like giant cats bimble past as 3 Charlie Chaplin look-a-likes tip their hats at a drunken festival goer and a person dressed up as a huge bluebottle starts grabbing groups of passers by all the while hearing a guy with a telescope made of cardboard tubes explaining to a festival goer that if he looks over there he will see a shooting star as another man with a tin foil star on a string runs past.

You get my meaning?

So much to do and see and so little time.

I BLOOMIN' LOVE IT!  

Your posts certainly rings true here, forever being distracted by other things at Glasto and missing out on some of the great acts on stage, was never going to miss Stevie last year but besides that the other things always seemed to come out on top for me, like others have said it all depends on who it is and how much your into them i suppose.

This pesky canine caught the eye a couple of years ago!

[Taija]

Last year was my first time at Glastonbury, and people had warned me not to make a strict schedule of bands of who i want to see etc.
I did, and although there were some harsh decision I had to make, I saw an amazing array of bands.. A lot of bands.

So I think you're wrong, but a lot of people do just like to wander around.. I apparently like to run about like a madwoman trying to get the right stage on time.
EACH TO THEIR OWN!

[whisty]

Don't listen to those that say you're missing. You're there to do, exactly what pleases you

[TwistedReligion]

Mr Ploppy, on 12 May 2011 - 09:15 AM, said:

all the while hearing a guy with a telescope made of cardboard tubes explaining to a festival goer that if he looks over there he will see a shooting star as another man with a tin foil star on a string runs past.

[Couchy]

I find that whatever band I go & see or happen to be passing will always put on a better show at Glastonbury due to what I suspect is the amout of TV coverage it gets or that they enjoy the festival!

For example I doubt BBC would have pulled this at R+L...



Or Pendulum in '09 covering a few songs looked excellent on youtube.

Edit-
For this year I am not too sure whether to see Chase & Status (as I think they will bring on loads of guests already at Glastonbury with them) or Mumford & Sons (who I think could be great on the Other Stage with the sun going down & not being too bothered about a great spot for U2). If anyone has any info on Chase & Status bringing any guests on, as they did when I saw them at Koko in January, then I would be grateful as I can persuade my mate who wants to see them to come with the rest of us!

Edited by Couchy, 12 May 2011 - 02:30 PM.

[windy_miller]

whisty, on 12 May 2011 - 10:56 AM, said:

Know what you mean. Last year spent 1/2 hour Saturday night headline slot time watching these with a nice small crowd. Caught them 2007, funniest thing, 5 peeps in there playing, was great to see them back again. Look back at the line up and think, wtf was I doing

These lot rule.  I spent ages watching them last year, and saw them a few years ago too.

[Mr Ploppy]

whisty, on 12 May 2011 - 10:56 AM, said:

Know what you mean. Last year spent 1/2 hour Saturday night headline slot time watching these with a nice small crowd. Caught them 2007, funniest thing, 5 peeps in there playing, was great to see them back again. Look back at the line up and think, wtf was I doing

Good one whisty.
This is exactly what I mean, sure its a massive shame to miss some of the great acts on the stages, but when you are able to say you watched a group in a box play an acoustic version of Ride On Time - then all is forgiven.
Great video that!

[MEGABOWL]

Taija, on 12 May 2011 - 02:09 PM, said:

Last year was my first time at Glastonbury, and people had warned me not to make a strict schedule of bands of who i want to see etc.
I did, and although there were some harsh decision I had to make, I saw an amazing array of bands.. A lot of bands.

So I think you're wrong, but a lot of people do just like to wander around.. I apparently like to run about like a madwoman trying to get the right stage on time.
EACH TO THEIR OWN!

Exactly, do what you want to do and enjoy it. I try and allow myself time to bimble but always around 4/5 musical acts. It's mainly about the music for me with the other stuff being a huge bonus

[rexclark]

Last year was my first and I went fully expecting to see loads of bands. On the Friday we just went for a wander and ended up losing half a day, but it was the greatest lost day ever.

I realise this year that there's no point in planning who i'll see. There'll be a few who I'll make the effort to see but most I'll see if I'm not busyu having fun elsewhere.

[Chazeboy]

Don't know if this is the topic here but I find it amazing looking back to my first glasto on who was playing the "smaller stages" then I was very much main stage all the way just in awe of the place. Now being a bit more seasoned my Glasto is much more varied and takes in all the things big small and unusual. My long winded point is. No matter what you do or see it's your Glasto. I'm pretty sure it will be great regardless. Unless you fall into the long drops. But then YOU become the urban legend, which in fairness would be pretty cool. If not rather minging