Glasto vs reading

[drewsstrat]

Reading is a commercially backed and commerically run 'arena' festival; Not noted for anything other

than seeing the bands. Its had a few venue changes so no history apart from same name Now attracts more mainstream artists than when in its hayday when it was predominantly rock and rivalled Castle Donnington MOR festival (now download - another succesful but arena and money orientated festival). I passed it on the train to london and was suprised how small it is compared to glasto

Glastonbury has everything within its boundaries including the camping and lots more than just music - More 'arts' , more variety, and it raises money for charitys rather than fat cats - more independance and more closer to the roots of historical 70's type festivals. Its A Wednesday - Monday Experience not just a weekender.

Glasto Also attracts a more eclectic line up and historically strays away from heavy rock generally (although Pendulum and Prodigy also did download this year)

Glastonbury is more a temporary 'town' with different things going on in different areas

From folk to Dance to comedy - theres something for everyone

That's why they attract a broader age range than Reading

However no reason why you can't do both to compare, But personally Its glasto every time - nothing

else compares.

Edited June 17, 2009 by drewsstrat

[Spindles]

I'd always had a very dim view of reading, however last year I relented for the sake of my son's 16th birthday and off we went. To be fair we had a great time, weren't hassled by dickheads and EVERYONE we spoke to had a great attitude and there was a real friendly vibe.

I'm going to glasto this year because, however, there is no substitute for glastonbury. I can eat well, drink cheaper, fill my time with more than just stage hopping to fill a wishlist for the weekend and frankly consider reading to be able to offer really well about 1/3 of what's available at glasto.

Just to add, while I didn't see any campsite dickheadedness myself when I got up monday morning there was barely a toilet block left not demolished and the distant sound of gas cannisters, while not quite like the legends of old, were still sounding.

[Glastonbury_2011]

I do think that Reading/Leeds are given a hard time here on eFestivals.

Sure, Glastonbury pisses all over Reading in every single category, but Reading and Leeds do have their charm. I absolutely loved going to Leeds Festival in 2007 and I had a wonderful time.

I'm going to both Leeds and Glastonbury this year and i'm sure i'll enjoy them both very much (I'm lying - Glastonbury will be miles better!)

[mandypants]

It saddens me to see so many people down on Reading and Leeds, they are great festivals in their own rights, even if they don't suit a lot of people. I've been to Leeds every year since '05 and while the '05 riot was nasty and frightening, it took me barely an hour to get over it when I got home and I went online and bought an '06 ticket in the presale. I've camped in Red for the last two years, which can get a bit crazy on the last night, but nothing like riots, just drunken idiocy. I love Leeds because they get amazing lineups, a lot of my kind of music, and it's a place to go and enjoy that.

However, it is my first Glasto this year so I can only imagine how different it will be in comparison. What interests me most is the spirituality of it all, the stones, the healing field, the hippie-ness, the pagan style sunrise worshipping. I'm also really looking forward to seeing the other alternative things there like Shangri La, the cabarets, the weird and wonderful Trash City, the weird and wonderful people, stuff you don't see at a predominantly music festival like R&L. There aren't a great deal of bands I want to see at Glasto, but there is also a lot of unknown stuff which I may come across and love, that's part of the experience. I just love the idea of wandering off in a random direction and finding something new and interesting.

I love my music so Leeds is still a massive draw for me, but Glasto is something different, I think it's unfair to compare the two because they are so different. Oh, and I'm not a teenager either