Festival review by : Craig

I admit it, until this year I was a Glastonbury virgin. I'd wanted to go to Glastonbury since 1994 when all my mates from Sheffield University went and left a few odd and sods behind. I was so entranced by the tales of my friends on their return that I was definitely going to Glastonbury 1995. I was therefore gutted when it was called off. [erm, shurely you mean there was no Glasto '96? - ed]

After that work or lack of money kept me away, but this year I abandoned my excuses and trekked down from Manchester. I do not think I could have possibly had a better time. For all the media coverage, the truth about Glastonbury is that the bands are but a side-show, and the real fun is to be had with friends in the surrounding areas. The entertainers, be they stilt walkers, fire-eaters or comedians, are the acts that truly foster the fun atmosphere of Glastonbury (did anybody else assist the comedian 'Space Commander' in his flight around the festival)?

I don't know if Glastonbury is being swallowed up by commerce, I don't know if the toilets were cleaner than ever, but what I do know is that Glastonbury has a unique ambience in which people treat each other decently. A very limited example happened to me at Leftfield. The bloke next to me asked if he could have a cigarette off me, so I gave him two. He was so pleased that he gave me a lighter. What a damn shame we can't live like that outside of the festival.

review submitted by
Craig