bennyhana22

For me he's a real DJ's DJ. Loves the craft of creating a set and as a producer he has made some fantastic stuff. His set with Richard Fearless on Glade last year was also great, though it suffered a little bit from being on the Thursday when less was going on - so there were a lot of people just there so that they were somewhere. But their selections were wonderful. After foolishly leaving his LH set early, as lamented above, I'll be looking to see him again this year. Hope he's playing elsewhere over the weekend too, as the sound on the new big Glade is, for me, only 'ok'. Ben

New album being released on Friday. Ben

**Faints** Ben

Oh man, this has got me having serious flashbacks to how great Saturday night was on Lonely Hearts last year. Bohmer > Cooper > Hauff > Avery The only error was that I dragged my gang away after about 45mins of DA to get to Truth for Scalping, then we couldn't get in as they'd closed the entrance to Shangri-La, so we went somewhere else, then they reopened the entrance and people caught up did get to Truth! Moral: if you're dancing and it's fantastic, it almost certainly won't be more fantastic elsewhere. Stay there! Ben

Maybe the b2b with Avery dream is alive... Ben

If they get a full day's programme, with the variety that fabric champion, that could be phenomenal. I'd be delighted if that was The Levels or Lonely Hearts, as the former is a spectacle, but the sound on the latter last year was spectacular. What about DVS1 b2b Helena Hauff at 1am on The Levels. Can you even imagine?! Ben

Gosh! Good programming would make that an even bigger draw away from the SEC and elsewhere, at least until 3am. Ben

Oh yes! Maybe THAT'S the stage I'm thinking of!! Although wasn't that 'on the right' and then if you went past it and veered to the left you got to Truth v1.0? This is ridiculous. I need to let this go! Ben

Yeah, I mean after they dumped Heaven (which one year was a really odd venue - a sort of v small amphitheatre all in white, with no-one there most of the time). I wish my spangled memory could recall more about the version of Truth I'm thinking of. Might have been it's first year. Ben

No, that's the Glade Dome, which is more or less where the old Glade was. The new Glade stage is huge and is the other side of the walkway that comes down from the old railway line, in the space where the Glade Lounge and Spaceport used to be. The Glade Dome is terrific. Very much the feel of the old Glade, with its customary excellent sound system. Ben

Wasn't the first iteration of Truth/final iteration of Hell slightly tucked around a corner off the main Shangri-La highway? I'm sure it was. That was a great set-up, though I fear its capacity wouldn't be adequate now... Ben

A perfect example of high-energy, jangly indie guitar-pop. They were amazing in Woodsies a few years ago. They will be spectacular this time. Ben

Will do. Ben

Oh Man! How can they NOT have psy-based stuff there? It's literally made for it!! 9 weeks tomorrow!! Ben

I was going to post similar thoughts, but you've been far too articulate, so I'll keep it brief! Many/most of us in this thread are very invested in the scene and dance music is in our souls. Glastonbury isn't a dance festival, but it is the world's biggest greenfields festival. As such, the opportunity for any of the areas to remain niche or different becomes more challenged year on year. The explosion in festival popularity in the past 15-20 years has inevitably resulted in curators gravitating towards more 'accessible' or well-known acts who, by their very nature, tend to be less 'interesting' to some of us in here. It just seems a shame that The Glade really didn't feel able to continue to book literally 2 or 3 DJs (psytrance) who offer a genre heard nowhere else on site. It's hardly compromising their ability to get good crowds for their acts...and those evenings were really well attended too! I'd say that, dance-wise, it's only really Block9 that conspicuously demonstrate an identifiable ethos in their bookings, though Silver Hayes' rebirth has been very exciting too. It's all good and, as others have said, will likely spread people around a bit more, allowing for more space to dance for everyone. Which is what we're all there for. Can't wait for those dance area drops now. Ben x

Could it be that after all this time, the Unfairground finally comes through for me? 😂 Ben

As said, lots to come, and out of upvotes, so replying properly! Ben

That's really kind...but all those artists, as excellent as I am sure they are, are not really my thing! I'm very much a techno/electro/breaks/glitchy person, but I also adore really good psytrance and I've had some phenomenal nights at the Glade Lounge and Dome! But, hey, there is masses of stuff everywhere, and I won't go wanting. Just that The Glade has always had a prog/psych vibe to it and whilst evolution is excellent, I can't help but worry that the site overall will become too homogenised if it's not careful. I've seen that at many other festivals over the years. Still, Block9, Arcadia, The Common and the revitalised Silver Hayes all still to come! 🙌🏼 Ben

Saying all of that, smashing that they could find a place for Norman! 😆 Ben

Now you know that I'm not a negative Nora, but I've been through the entire Glade Dome line-up and it would appear that Glastonbury no longer wants to have any psytrance at the festival 😭. Originally on the Thursday night in Glade Lounge, and more recently Sunday night in the Dome, it is one of the things I look forward to the most. The crowds are invariably fantastic, as everyone has made a purposeful beeline to that specific genre. I'm a little bit sad, team. There appears to be masses of DnB on the Glade Dome line-up, and isn't it represented in spades elsewhere around the festival? I really feel that there are genres that are neglected in a festival of this size. Of course, it will come down to popularity amongst the masses, I'm sure, but still... Anyway, I won't sulk (I might for a little bit, but then I'll be ok!). For me, only really The Orb, Avery and Effy calling to me right now, but I'll do my customary obsessive homework and we'll see! Block9, I really need you to come through this year 🤪. Ben

Yes, of course - I was just being cheeky! But he is The Thingy. He has data on frickin' everything. More stats than Major League Baseball (niche reference, I realise...). Ben

Does he have any data...? Hahahahahaha Ben

So sorry for you, @Fishman We got nowhere near for our two group stragglers. E/D old guard reunion in 2025. Ben xx

I f**king love this thread. Ben ❤️

Haha Deserved more 👏🏽 Ben