strummer77

for those that didn’t see it - this is the photo from next to the disabled platform I took. And yeah, that was the moment I realised we need a compromise. For the record I voted to keep flags back in the day when they asked - but the situation is worse now.

Could you as a mod lock this poll and start one that has options such as: 1. Total ban on flags during acts 2. Some restrictions to help those further back, on disabled platforms and without physical/mental ability to go down the front see some of the stage (eg. no flags in the pit, and one flag per pole) 3. Flags everywhere - I like vibes and don't care if others can't see As I don't think many of us actually want total bans.

Haha exactly. How can people with flags say the view doesn't matter, when they have forced their way to... the best view?

Yep totally. It’s very selfish to push your way to the front with something that blocks the views of others behind. But if you want to stand back a bit, not obstruct and add to the vibes - go for it.

In fairness we can already see the result is about 50/50. So I think that means the compromise would be pretty popular.

1. No flags in front of sound desk 2. one flat per pole Solves most of the issues.

I think people will vote no though as they think - as is stated - this is a ban on all flags whilst an act is on. Most just want the ones at the front blocking the view to stop.

And before people vote they should have a look at this from next to the disabled viewing platform. Where flags in the pit created a wall you could not see through. It is not fair people without the physical (or mental) ability to get down the front cannot see.

There should be an option to not have them in front of sound desk/ the pit as that’s what the main suggestion has been

This is your opinion but for loads of others it isn’t. Lots of people do like seeing the bands and have paid money to do so. Is the ‘vibe’ worse in West Holts where you can see? Seemed a lot better in that field for packed sets. Choosing your ‘vibes’ over others views - including disabled people viewing the stage from the platform - is clearly selfish. Compromise should be found and clearly can

Bolded bit isn’t really true. Take Lil Nas X. On the post I had from next to the disabled platform - without the flags down in the pit you would have seen him jumping on the giant horse and it coming on stage. Of course you wouldn’t see clear facial expressions, but you would be see the musicians interact, massive stage set up and backdrop screens at the back of stage. Keep the tall and appropriate size ones but lose the mass of them at the front.

It’s about half way back as well, so huge numbers of people who for whatever reason can’t deal with the crush at the front see no stage at all. Agree. The fact there are two large camps is why there should be a compromise (and there’s been good suggestions in here that would allow people to see the stage and keep flags)

Here’s a photo from next to the disabled platform on the right hand side and it was a stretch to see ANY of the stage for most of the afternoon. So loads of people in wheelchairs etc on the platform couldn’t see Honestly I can’t understand why people are against some sort of rules to allow people to view the stage! There has to be some compromise to allow both to happen. Yes people can pick better spots on quieter gigs but for something like Elton you had to take where you could get to and be comfortable. Just seeing a wall of flags should not be ok.

Agree chairs shouldn’t be anywhere other than the very back when it is busy. However there’s loads of ways to find people without flags, and people should be able to see a gig if they want to. I used to think the same about navigation but there’s ways of doing it without selfishly spoiling others views. You can meet at start/end of sets, there’s ice cream vans, viewing platforms, speaker stands etc. I guess an option could be to have permanent flag poles around the field with designs on. But none in the front pit is the one that would sort it most (and you can still navigate to anywhere that isn’t at the front)

I think the BBC would love not having flags in front of the sound desk. They noticeably got in the way of the camera a few times

Loads moaned about them around me this year. Does anyone thing the the gigs away from Pyramid (West Holts, JP etc) where there were just the occasional flag and you can almost always see the stage lack atmosphere?

It’s not one or the other. And even if they reduced that would be great. I appreciate not everyone cares about seeing the stage, but for lots of people it does matter.

The sound desk thing is fair. You can get a good spot if you want - or you can carry a flag - but you can’t get a GREAT spot AND block the view of people behind you. Tactical flags would also be sound.

I think the fact some love and some hate them means means there should be some sort of compromise. You need ensure they’re only a certain size/height and only allowed at certain points (eg behind the sound desk). That way they would be less obstructive. It means you could guarantee yourself a spot of seeing the stage if you wanted (which you can’t at the mo) but you’d still get the visual of the flags flying if you’re into flags.

Yeah but some people do care about seeing the stage. Not remotely true. You would be able to see the full stage set up etc waaaay back with no flags.

Was awful for Diana Ross around the edges. I was trying to help someone and make my way to Amyl and it took me ages to get out and was quite unpleasant for me - and I’m quite big and ok in crowds. Agree it is a good decision.

Everyone was thinking it was Friday weren’t they? Very pleased if it is the Saturday as that time was a bit dead for me and it sounds like a bit of fun

Joking here a bit - as to clarify, I miss loads of 'must sees' (Diana/Lionel/The Who etc) as they're not my bag and almost never regret it.

To be fair, if you had waited until the last 90 minutes, it was.

Pretty sure Radiohead popped up in a similar list in the Guardian before 2011. Which was seen as a mistake but... (although that was a lineup page, this is probably just coincidence and they did a show because they were doing Big Weekend)