stereodista

I feel like there's a chunk of misinformation here, so here are my 2c on the subject: Press tickets are not ‘free’. Covering the festival, in any capacity, isn’t so easy, so it’s work however vaguely it’s approached. There is no payment involved, no obligatory charity donation, and the majority of people there to cover the festival aren’t on ‘punter’ upgrades. They are there because they have something to offer in return, have earned it on reputation, et cetera. You’re given a Hospitality pass, which gets you in. It’s a long one which can be made to feel that bit longer when you’ve got to have your head screwed on even loosely, so a minor perk can be welcome. There is a press tent within the interstage area, where you can pick up a pass which grants readmittance to said tent across the course of the weekend. Again, where people are working throughout the thing. You get access to the interstage, the campsite, and that’s more or less it beyond the rest of the festival. They’re incredibly accommodating, as Glastonbury is with everything in my experience.

It hasn’t.

Fully with you, this is nowhere near the level set with Future Nostalgia. (And the cash-grab rehashes which followed.)

Probably in a minority, but would only really be interested in the flute stuff personally.

Some new names including Dry Cleaning.

That’s 100% him.

Yeah, with you there.

With you on both Sampha being a good fit and Justice less so, but do you think The JAMC are really headline material? They’re atrocious live these days, and don’t know that all that many at GM would be overly bothered about them. Maybe Thursday? Maybe I’m a way off with this opinion!

Really don’t think they’re the right fit for GM, but you never know I suppose.

Agreed.

Indie / rock bands are more or less all they’ve announced thus far..?

No way Sheeran ends up anywhere but the main stage.

I’d never even heard of them before Green Man over the summer, but a friend recommended them and theirs was solidly the best set of the weekend for me.

They’re playing the Loyle Carner day.

Ah yes, Glastonbury: the festival that notoriously pays top £ year after year…

I think not in London, but I may of course be way off.

Agreed. And would’ve had some people complaining à la Calvin Harris or Halsey all over again no doubt.

What a letdown. No idea why there was such certitude re: Kylie? Even given the whole ‘New Normal’ lark, it would’ve been an incongruous booking.

It has been for 10+ years.

This is incorrect. A hospitality wristband gets you into the festival (and back out with a pass out, should you so wish) in the same way any other would.

Agreed. Decent undercard and that could do OK imo.

For what?

Likewise. Seems more in keeping with the concept of the whole thing.