Where is Billy Bragg?

[josephg]

I cannot see him on the poster.

As a glastonbury institution, this is a shame

[Runner]

I cannot see him on the poster.

As a glastonbury institution, this is a shame

[Alcatraz]

I believe he's out of the country at the time

[russycarps]

I cannot see him on the poster.

As a glastonbury institution, this is a shame

Edited May 29, 2009 by russycarps

[josephg]

There's a couple of threads on this already. As you say, it's a massive shame.

Fact is, the festival is moving away from its political roots as it embraces the corporate mainstream ever tighter. Unfortunately Billy's musings dont fit with that business model.

I'm gutted about the direction the festival seems to be moving in.

[Alcatraz]

There's a couple of threads on this already. As you say, it's a massive shame.

Fact is, the festival is moving away from its political roots as it embraces the corporate mainstream ever tighter. Unfortunately Billy's musings dont fit with that business model.

I'm gutted about the direction the festival seems to be moving in.

[beergut100]

There's a couple of threads on this already. As you say, it's a massive shame.

Fact is, the festival is moving away from its political roots as it embraces the corporate mainstream ever tighter. Unfortunately Billy's musings dont fit with that business model.

I'm gutted about the direction the festival seems to be moving in.

[Alcatraz]

This MAY be a slightly cynical view, but if it proves to be correct I'm afraid my Glasto days will soon be over in favour of smaller "grass roots" festivals. Or will it just mean even more of a polarisation between the green fields etc. and the "corporate" part of the festival? The Leftfield tent kept politics in the "main" bit of the festival; I think without it, it's becoming like 2 separate festivals. If this IS a trend, and if the trend continues, there will be little point in going to Glastonbury for me. I may as well just go to a festival which ALL has the ethos of the Green fields etc.

Edited May 29, 2009 by Alcatraz

[russycarps]

I'd imagine a lot of the politicial debate will still be present, even though at a reduced number, just it wont be in that fantastic tent which drew in people who had little interest in politics and educated them on issues, and in the second side of the festival that you describe

It sounds crummy, but the Leftfield is the reason why I got into politics, and yes, has shaped my beliefs

If it does not return next year, I may look elsewhere, however I don't see many alternatives

[Alcatraz]

The fact that this news passed with barely a whimper on this board, whereas there are endless threads from people moaning about the line up and how the youth are not represented etc etc makes me despair. The future of the festival is in the hands of a generation of young peope that care only about the line up. This is why glastonbury as we know it is f**ked.

[Red_Eye_Jedi]

that's exactly it. The leftfield was a fantastic place for the uninitiated to find politics without it being deadly dull or forced down your throat. I really really cant understand why it has been removed (and I dont but the reasons we have been given on here for one minute). For me leftfield was possibly the most vital part of the festival and if it doesnt return then I think that spells the beginnign of the end for glastonbury as an alternative festival.

I am certain if Billy is out of the country then it is in protest in the massively misguided idea of gettign rid of the leftfield.

The fact that this news passed with barely a whimper on this board, whereas there are endless threads from people moaning about the line up and how the youth are not represented etc etc makes me despair. The future of the festival is in the hands of a generation of young peope that care only about the line up. This is why glastonbury as we know it is f**ked.

[Mardy]

Excuse me?

I don't usually get involved with arguments like this, but i'm part of this "Generation" and i can tell you for a fact, i had to best time last year in the left field stage, the politics & the music fitted perfectly. I was GUTTED when it was announced there was no left field. I don't JUST care about the line up, i care about the atmosphere, making sure everyones having a good time etc etc.. Just because a few people from our generation are complete idiots and only care about big name acts on the pyramid stage or whatever, does NOT mean we are all like it. so please don't generalize the "younger" generation because i can tell you, we're not all clueless. Thanks & Have a good festival

[josephg]

Excuse me?

I don't usually get involved with arguments like this, but i'm part of this "Generation" and i can tell you for a fact, i had to best time last year in the left field stage, the politics & the music fitted perfectly. I was GUTTED when it was announced there was no left field. I don't JUST care about the line up, i care about the atmosphere, making sure everyones having a good time etc etc.. Just because a few people from our generation are complete idiots and only care about big name acts on the pyramid stage or whatever, does NOT mean we are all like it. so please don't generalize the "younger" generation because i can tell you, we're not all clueless. Thanks & Have a good festival

[russycarps]

Excuse me?

I don't usually get involved with arguments like this, but i'm part of this "Generation" and i can tell you for a fact, i had to best time last year in the left field stage, the politics & the music fitted perfectly. I was GUTTED when it was announced there was no left field. I don't JUST care about the line up, i care about the atmosphere, making sure everyones having a good time etc etc.. Just because a few people from our generation are complete idiots and only care about big name acts on the pyramid stage or whatever, does NOT mean we are all like it. so please don't generalize the "younger" generation because i can tell you, we're not all clueless. Thanks & Have a good festival

[Monkismo]

Mark Thomas and Marcus Brigstock are both playing the theatre/comedy fields so I'd imagine they'd have some form of politics about their sets as they usually do. It does live on at Glasto just not in the guise we know it. I really don't think much of today's youth care anymore. I know there's some but not as much as during the 70s/80s and early 90s and I can see why they've toned it down but if you want to be political I'm sure there'll be plenty of places that will cater for you on site whether they're organised by the fest and involve Billy Bragg or not.

That said, the events with MP's expenses/swine flu/credit crunch etc will have expanded a lot of people's political nuances but with the internet and many other forms of media available compared to in the past maybe we don't actually need Glastonbury to challenge us to think about politics anymore. It is of course the best place in the world to get away from "real" life and just because you might have an opinion it doesn't mean it needs to be aired everywhere you go. It's environmental awareness that Glasto pushes more these days which can't be a bad thing as that is something that absolutely everybody should care about.

Only when the Daily Mail start sponsoring the fest and when there's a Subway by every stage will I start to question it.

[toooldtoknowbetter]

14 June Aberystwyth, Wales Arts Centre

01970 623232

15 June Blackwood, Wales Miners Institute

01495 227206

17 June Brighton, England Brighton Dome Concert Hall

18 June Wolverhampton, England Wulfrun Hall

19 June Beverley, England Beverley Folk Festival

20 June Leicester, England Big Session Festival

19 July Tolpuddle, Dorset Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival

23 July Kendal, England Brewery Arts Centre

That could look like a Glastonbury shaped whole in the Braggmeister's schedule. Live in hope, brothers and sisters, live in hope, for without it, what are we but pawns in their game.

[newagehippie]

I have to say that there is FAR too much politics at the festival. I would much rather go and enjoy myself than have people trying to ram politics down my throat all weekend and getting me to donate to greenpeace as if i was walking down the high st.

Express your views in the way you act and live your life. There is no need for it to be such a major presence at an event which is really and truely a purely hedonistic weekend.

[Alcatraz]

I have to say that there is FAR too much politics at the festival. I would much rather go and enjoy myself than have people trying to ram politics down my throat all weekend and getting me to donate to greenpeace as if i was walking down the high st.

Express your views in the way you act and live your life. There is no need for it to be such a major presence at an event which is really and truely a purely hedonistic weekend.

[lofichic]

I have to say that there is FAR too much politics at the festival. I would much rather go and enjoy myself than have people trying to ram politics down my throat all weekend and getting me to donate to greenpeace as if i was walking down the high st.

Express your views in the way you act and live your life. There is no need for it to be such a major presence at an event which is really and truely a purely hedonistic weekend.

[Peaceman]

As has been said, there have been other threads on this. We wanted Billy to perform at a show we're doing on the Saturday at Glastonbury but were told that he will not be in the country. Until recently I was confident that Leftfield would be back next year. But having spoken to a few of the good people involved, that is looking more unlikely. But I do hope I'm wrong.

I have no idea if anyone from the festival reads thses threads but it would be a good idea if some of the comments here were able to be seen by them. Particularly those ones about getting into politics because of Leftfield and the posts from 'younger' people on here as well. Anyone know the best way to do that?

With apologies for advertising our own show again, we're doing two 'Get Up Stand Up' shows this year - we have been on at Leftfield for the last two years and have their support for these shows. On Saturday at the Blazing Saddles stage (in Theatre & Circus) we have a 2-hour show from 4.30 with Tony Benn, Marcus Brigstocke, Ed Byrne, Ivan Brackenbury, Broken Chains (a young band that won a national music contest) and a special guest band.

On the Sunday in the Cabaret Tent, a one-hour show from 4.45 with Mark Thomas, Ivan Brackenbury and a guest speaker.

End of advert!

[russycarps]

I have to say that there is FAR too much politics at the festival. I would much rather go and enjoy myself than have people trying to ram politics down my throat all weekend and getting me to donate to greenpeace as if i was walking down the high st.

Express your views in the way you act and live your life. There is no need for it to be such a major presence at an event which is really and truely a purely hedonistic weekend.