jimbo_l

Got onto the main page at about 10:30, got the 'oops' message at the payment page. Clicked 'back', tried again - hanging on 'payment processing' page at least 15 mins, no confirmation page, but confirmation email has come through. 2x pending payments on card. Keep trying & good luck - our Settlers tickets are number 640 at 11:05.

Not a GM veteran; we went for this first time last year and loved it - 9/10. Had a great time this year too, but probably more like a 7/10. But my feeling overall is that these things swing on small margins, i.e. the rain on Friday, and also not being quite so into the lineup, and having a couple of annoying clashes. Love what they do overall and will be back again. Did anyone else notice that the sound in Far Out seemed a bit off? We were about a third of the way back for Young Fathers, and there was really no definition in the mix, very hard even to hear the between-songs chat. Others in my group reported similar over the weekend. Those watching from the bar/tables outside say they could hear every word. Can anyone explain why that is ?

It was our first time. We got bought Settlers tickets off someone who couldn't make it. We're a childless late-30's couple and usually avoid family stuff. When we arrived we were a bit concerned that we might have mis-judged it because the stuff laid-on was so kid-focussed. But actually, we both softened-up a bit to that, and thought it was quite nice that so many kids were entertained for a week with a diablo and a bottle of bubbles. I think part of it is that on the whole the interaction between families and not-families seemed fairly intuitive and respectful, and perhaps the 3 settlers days helped us acclimatise to it. I do appreciate that everyone has different interactions over the course of a weekend, and that it isn't always nice if you've been coming to something that you love for a long time, and see it going in a direction you're not a fan of. A shame to hear about the crimes that took place, because the vibe we got was extremely safe and relaxed. I hope everyone involved affected is OK.

Oh, and Mrs Jimbo is a women's urinal convert!

Agree. I heard a garbled walkie talkie saying something like; "please check wristbands... lots of complaints... ". Then the next morning they had the additional orange vests at the bottom of the steps at the main arena entrance. But yeah, not a particularly tough job for any blaggers that fancy a day out...

First time for us too, and we both thought it was superb. Ezra Furman & TuneYards really impressed. Metronomy was really punchy. Was looking forward to Frazey Ford which didn't disappoint. Penelope Isles were great. Bess Atwell was lovely. Only caught the end of Arooj Aftab, but it was stunning. John Mouse was a fun way to start! Gruff and his guests (didn't catch the name) was really clever and quite emotional. Rio18 Orchestra was perfect Sunday morning stuff Discovered WITCH, BCUC, Donny Benet. Still trying to work-out Keeley Forsyth, but you could hear a pin drop during her set. Vibe not quite right for Kraftwerk where we were standing. I love Beach House but it didn't really click for us, and following TuneYards was a tough ask. Michael Kiwanuka pitch-perfect and a great finale Would love to go back

Yeah, I think they went very quickly. Worth creating an alert if you haven't already. I noticed that they seem to go up in little flurries. If your alert fires, but you've missed them, hang around for a few minutes refreshing the page, because others might be on the way.

big wave of Tickets listings live now (Settlers Pass)

I was wondering this too. In 2019 there were some high-profile cancellations due to high wind. Public Health services (and scientists) are really emphasising atm that heat can be equally dangerous - for slightly different reasons obviously. I think if GF was due to run through a 40c heatwave, cancellation could be a real possibility

We brought snack bars etc. with us, didn't use the co-op or do any of our own cooking. Think we ate from stalls twice per day, most stuff was a tenner. £10x2x2x5 is about £200. We try to choose carefully, most of the stuff we had I'd be fairly happy to pay £10 for at a street food/tap-room thing etc, but it does add-up, and then you add drinks. Glasto was our summer holiday this year, so we were prepared to cough-up a bit more than usual.

I can relate to this. With so much on offer over such a long time period I think I fell into the trap of feeling like I was always saving myself for the next thing. That paid-off in one respect, because I still had the legs for it on Sunday, but I do need to dive-in headfirst a bit more often!

I had this marked as a Wildcard for Friday. We got stuck in the Park for a while after Four Tet and got distracted. Was it really good?

What a voice Leon Bridges has! Thought the set didn't quite connect with the crowd, but Texas Sun & The River at the end, as the sun got lower were really special

Certainly weren't any sound problems for Roisin were there!? Absolutely thumping from where we were standing 😁

Didn't see as much as I would have liked, but Optimo at Wow really impressed me

Think they were between Theatre/Circus & Acoustic

I've been thinking about this. I reckon the idea of C/geddon is actually really cool. At any other fest I'm sure it'd be popular, but look at the competition it's up against! If the trajectory of the other 'off-stage' stuff is 'bigger, better, louder, later', then it might need to raise it's game a bit to keep-up. Perhaps instead of scrapping it, they could give it a bit more budget? Lots of people saying on here; 'where was the silent disco?' Well C/geddon had one on some evenings (Craig Charles I think) - but it's not that clear from the name of the place is it? Perhaps a bit of a re-brand needed?

In the documentary, the creative directors behind Block-9 said they told ME that the after-dark offering needed to be improved. Those new areas have now had 10-15 years to mature. DJ's that play NYC Downlow have gone on-record saying it's the best nightclub in the world! So they hype is clearly there, and I thought perhaps since my last visit in 2007 there were many more folks there for who the after-dark stuff was the primary attraction.

We camped next door in South Park1. Didn't see it busy. A shame really because it had a nice retro bar there as well along the lines of Deluxe Diner. There were some films I had pencilled-in, but there was always 'something else' to do instead, & I expect that was the same for many others.

I heard that too. It was so jarring (embarrassing), and really brought home how much a festival ought to be the antithesis of that sort of tribalism

Alice in Wonderland routine in the circus tent. The girl climbed a free-hanging rope with her feet! Could not work out how that was done! Properly jaw-dropping moment

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out!

Also made a last-minute switch to a summer-weight sleeping bag. That worked really well. On one of the colder nights I had to put the hood bit up, but so worth it to not wake-up sweating. Much lighter/smaller to pack and carry too. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/trekking-sleeping-bag-mt500-15-c-polyester/_/R-p-313095?mc=8576293

Strong agree. Had a dry-run with an inflatable. Could not get on with it at all. Grabbed one of these last minute - perfect! https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/camping-pillow-ultim-comfort/_/R-p-335452?mc=8666746

Yeah, isn't it weird how you feel so relaxed and then so knackered!?