78 replies to this topic

[ltfckimbo]

choccy, on 02 July 2011 - 12:55 PM, said:

Hey all, just needed somewhere to feedback some honest thoughts about the state of Glastonbury. I've been several times over the last decade, and this year was the worst overcrowding I've ever seen. I was nearly crushed on several occasions, and not even at the main stages... on the pathways at the back of the pyramid stage for instance there were so many people trying to get through it came to a standstill, with many people choosing to walk through the crowd of revelers as it was quicker.

The increase in numbers at glasto each year has become so noticeable that it really did spoil the festival for me this year. There was a group of about 20 of us, and that seemed to be the general consensus. I know its a shame to suggest this, seeing as so many people want to go and it would mean depriving a few of the experience, but in my opinion Glastonbury really needs to trim its numbers if its going to be anything like what it was. Its a shame, but at least in terms of numbers I really do think Glastonbury has become too big for its own good.

I don't see why anyone should miss out on the festival over a few bottlenecks. If you really don't like the overcrowding then you should wait 'til it dies down, go in another direction or just try and avoid those areas all together.

[Pinhead]

All very well saying we could increase numbers to make more money and provide more tickets, but the site would really struggle I think with its current size and there is little room left to grow in any direction now either (not that most people I speak too seem to feel it needs to grow any bigger anyway). If its gets more overcrowded, to the point of becoming a danger to people, MDC will simply step in and cap the numbers anyway.

[budvar]

Glasto fan, on 03 July 2011 - 06:45 PM, said:

Seriously, was anyone caught in a crush up in the Greenfields or the Circus field this year?

Not trying to be difficult, but yes.

There was an issue getting into the King's Meadow (Stone Circle field) on the Wednesday night. Straight after the fireworks (hadn't seen them before) there was a bit of a crush at the main entrance at the bottom of the field.

People were being foolish and pushing; I just took the two girls with me to one side until things calmed down.

A couple of stewards appeared and "closed" the entrance, which effectively meant sending people back the other way.

Personally, I don't think the site's too full. GFL generally manage the crowds very well. I doubt we'll see an expansion in numbers anytime soon. I also wouldn't like to see a decrease in numbers; getting tickets is stressful enough!

[FluffyFairy]

it just felt like everybody wanted to be at the same place or maybe I just wanted to be where everyone was?  

It's the 'Human sheep' thing again.

I don't suffer from any social anxiety disorders but I did to feel claustrophobic and panicy during paul Simon. I daren't drink my water too because I didn't have a clue how I would escape the crowd when I needed to pee.

On Sunday The Pyramid did feel like a general sunbathing/picnicing area rather than a stage though  

Edited by FluffyFairy, 04 July 2011 - 02:50 PM.

[tonyblair]

this year, it seems anyone who wants to do something that might be popular, are being accused of being sheep-like...?? Heaven forbid you might want to do something that a lot of others want to do as well

[Perks]

I didnt notice the overcrowding too much this year, only as much as expected...but then again I didnt go to the Pyramid stage once - nought on there I fancied apart from Wu Tang, but choose King Blues over them.
My one gripe was heading into the JP for the Streets - went early to get a good spec and there was some of the chair brigade in there. really at that time of a night...couldnt believe it. I have no problem with the chairs - dont use them meself like, but in the JP - thought they were banned. But being at the front for an awesome Streets set, soon took me mind off it.  

[austingz]

FluffyFairy, on 04 July 2011 - 02:48 PM, said:

it just felt like everybody wanted to be at the same place or maybe I just wanted to be where everyone was?  

It's the 'Human sheep' thing again.

I don't suffer from any social anxiety disorders but I did to feel claustrophobic and panicy during paul Simon. I daren't drink my water too because I didn't have a clue how I would escape the crowd when I needed to pee.

On Sunday The Pyramid did feel like a general sunbathing/picnicing area rather than a stage though  

Maybe the string of "easy listening" acts on Sunday didn't help either. Quite a few weary people got comfortable and couldn't be bothered to move on.

[pedmills]

eFestivals, on 04 July 2011 - 10:13 AM, said:

I barely get to experience any bad crowds in any year.

The trick is to avoid the things that are likely to be crowded - which is quite easy when you realise that 90% of the popular stuff is cack.

If you go to see popular things then why be surprised to find it's popular?

It's not just the places like the pyramid stage though.
Are you really calling shangri-la, arcadia etc. cack? Because come 2am that is the most popular area on the site.

[eFestivals]

pedmills, on 08 July 2011 - 12:58 PM, said:

It's not just the places like the pyramid stage though.
Are you really calling shangri-la, arcadia etc. cack? Because come 2am that is the most popular area on the site.

I didn't say that everything popular was cack.

But I did say that if you go to see popular things then why be surprised to find it's popular?

[fred quimby]

eFestivals, on 04 July 2011 - 10:13 AM, said:

The trick is to avoid the things that are likely to be crowded - which is quite easy when you realise that 90% of the popular stuff is cack.

If you go to see popular things then why be surprised to find it's popular?

Only problem with that statement is you sometimes have to go past popular things to get to not so popular things

[eFestivals]

fred quimby, on 08 July 2011 - 02:27 PM, said:

Only problem with that statement is you sometimes have to go past popular things to get to not so popular things

true, but nowadays I tend to blow those things out - as I did this year with wanting to see B.A.D., knowing it would be mobbed up there cos of Radiohead or Pulp (I forget which it was) afterwards.

There's always a good alternative at Glastonbury.

[fred quimby]

eFestivals, on 08 July 2011 - 03:17 PM, said:

true, but nowadays I tend to blow those things out - as I did this year with wanting to see B.A.D., knowing it would be mobbed up there cos of Radiohead or Pulp (I forget which it was) afterwards.

There's always a good alternative at Glastonbury.

Same as. Missed a few things as I knew bits would be crowded, found other things (maybe better) to entertain me.

[DeanoL]

jamseyboy, on 02 July 2011 - 02:39 PM, said:

Now thats funny because we are contemplating bringing a sofa with us next time. Not a portable one but a normal everyday couch. We considered that if we stuck it in the pyramid stage area with a taupaulin over for rainy days we could sit on it for the whole festival....night and day! As we are not technically camping on the pyramid field I cannot see how this would be an issue ........might even bring a coffee table.

They actually put some sofas just outside the Comedy tent at Latitude last year. Leather sofas. In that heat. Directly under the sun.

[anoldhippie@60]

LusciousLucy, on 02 July 2011 - 01:42 PM, said:

Not having dick families sat collectively on chairs right at the exit to the Pyramid (near Mandela) as Paul Simon finished would help too  

Re the chairs other years It seemed to be the older generation who just had them, this year every age group  seemed to have them. perhaps we can get ME to put all seating in front of the stages. Just like they made football stadiums all seating.

[tonyblair]

I don't think you can 'blame' anyone for lugging chairs around the site and sitting on them ( ) as it was hard to sit down anywhere a lot of the time

[boddingtons]

I considered myself to be fortunate in being able to go to Glastonbury in 2009,10 & 11. Sure the big stages get huge crowds. But as I live in a city with next to zero venue being capable of hosting the big names I'm left with no real alternative but to join the hoardes. Saying all that though it is a pleasure to visit the lesser known stages and realise that the performers are not 1 inch tall!

[arcade fireman]

To be honest, even in the mud I found myself walking off the metal path between the stages and just through the grass/mud to the side of it. Made it a lot quicker and didnt fall once all weekend!

[arcade fireman]

eFestivals, on 08 July 2011 - 03:17 PM, said:

true, but nowadays I tend to blow those things out - as I did this year with wanting to see B.A.D., knowing it would be mobbed up there cos of Radiohead or Pulp (I forget which it was) afterwards.

There's always a good alternative at Glastonbury.

If you really wanted to see B.A.D. you could have always got there whilst Warpaint were playing. Certainly during the first bit of their set it was pretty easy to get a good spot. I got to the Park Stage a bit before Warpaint started and saw B.A.D. and Radiohead from the fence.

[iwalker]

I made the tactical error of going for something to eat towards the JP Stage after Paul Simon so literally couldn't get back in the field for Plan B.  Until I saw the TV coverage when I got back I couldn't have told you if he was actually on stage or they were just playing a CD!