The Leftfield Stage back for 2010

[russycarps]

I'd love to see it back, it's one of the things that makes Glastonbury different to every other festival and it's a fantastic place for people to hear a great line up and come across trade unions and campaigns for the first time.

Although I know that money did play a big part in it not happening this year it wasn't the only reason and it wasn't the only 'political' initiative that got cancelled. I do worry about Emily's takeover and the direction the festival will go in.

[5co77ie]

Is Tony Benn ill? I finally got to see him this year, talking about racism in Bella's Field. What a hero that man is.

[5co77ie]

The political climate these days means that the chances of her being as politically motivated as her father are exceedingly slim.

I sincerely hope I am proved wrong, but her management of the park stage suggests indicates to me where her priorities lie.

[russycarps]

Well i'm sure if the nutters get back in power - we'll see the political climate back at the front.

[Pinhead]

+1

Would like to see a more politically charged environment again at Glasto. A little activism and inspiration, and a boot up the arse for the apthetic. Miss that element of the festival, and wonder like others how this may change now with the less politcally motivated Emily at the helm.

[russycarps]

+1

Would like to see a more politically charged environment again at Glasto. A little activism and inspiration, and a boot up the arse for the apthetic. Miss that element of the festival, and wonder like others how this may change now with the less politcally motivated Emily at the helm.

[Pinhead]

I think she'd be more worried about upsetting the Tories and having the festival shut down or license refused like Thatcher tried to do to it in the '80's. Will she show her fathers willpower to fight against those blatant attempts to crush anything that wasn't compatible with the Tory vision of the country.

[5co77ie]

Well let's not forget Boris Johnson dropped the anti-racism message and barred the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) from the London's Rise Festival - so we're sure to get more of that spreading.

[russycarps]

Well let's not forget Boris Johnson dropped the anti-racism message and barred the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) from the London's Rise Festival - so we're sure to get more of that spreading.

[grumpyhack]

The Left Field embodies the whole ethos of what Glasto should be about. It needs to be in one place though, and not broken up and scattered in hardly recogniseable pieces around the site.

[Buddhafish]

Interesting points above - I for one started going to Glasto because it was very much seen as a counter-cultural event, but these days it's mainstream culture without a doubt (not criticising that btw). If the nutters get back in, and then Gideon starts to shaft the working class/public sector, then the festival in 2013 should an in interesting barometer of the attitudes of much of the Glasto attending public. Will it shift back towards being more like the Glasto of old, a beacon for the non-mainstream, where the likes of Tony Benn can share billing with the current big live music acts; or will it just be a big corporate monster fueled by tv rights and advertising that wealthy kids tick off as part of their gap year?...?

[russycarps]

Interesting points above - I for one started going to Glasto because it was very much seen as a counter-cultural event, but these days it's mainstream culture without a doubt (not criticising that btw). If the nutters get back in, and then Gideon starts to shaft the working class/public sector, then the festival in 2013 should an in interesting barometer of the attitudes of much of the Glasto attending public. Will it shift back towards being more like the Glasto of old, a beacon for the non-mainstream, where the likes of Tony Benn can share billing with the current big live music acts; or will it just be a big corporate monster fueled by tv rights and advertising that wealthy kids tick off as part of their gap year?...?

[Buddhafish]

I guess the cost of the festival in 2013 will be the crucial factor. If as expected the shafting of the masses has begun: wages down, unemployment is up etc then who will be able to afford a (probable) £250 ticket price and 5 days spent paying £4.50 for a pint? The only people who will be able to afford the festival will hardly be the type who wants to listen to Tony Benn or Billy Bragg preaching for equality.

[paulo999]

Emily's career choice, before her mother died, was teaching. Her and Nick met whilst doing charity work together.

Michael, on the other hand, has been a businessman for over forty years - a very philanthropic one, of course.

I suspect that some of the sniping about Emily comes from people not wanting to accept that when some tough decisions are made about the festival, that it is Michael that signs them off. But, as it stands today, that is the truth of it.

I have a great deal of faith in them both, but don't fall into the trap of parking the 'bad stuff' at Emily's door.

Edited October 7, 2009 by paulo999

[russycarps]

Emily's career choice, before her mother died, was teaching. Her and Nick met whilst doing charity work together.

Michael, on the other hand, has been a businessman for over forty years - a very philanthropic one, of course.

I suspect that some of the sniping about Emily comes from people not wanting to accept that when some tough decisions are made about the festival, that it is Michael that signs them off. But, as it stands today, that is the truth of it.

I have a great deal of faith in them both, but don't fall into the trap of parking the 'bad stuff' at Emily's door.

[sammysundae]

i'm gonna go against the flow and say i'd much rather not have it back. trash city was by far my favourite part of the festival and i think it was probably put there to appeal more to a younger audience. which it did very successfully. i loved it and i can't see why they would put the whole thing together, only to get rid of it a year later, despite it having been an overwhelming success, in my opinion.

you can't argue that it wasn't packed out every night. shangri-la and arcadia were fantastic too. i'm probably being a bit tasteless cos i love a bit of bass-heavy music and i was spoilt for choice, but i thought it was fantastic and made the whole festival for me.

[MrZigster]

i'm gonna go against the flow and say i'd much rather not have it back. trash city was by far my favourite part of the festival and i think it was probably put there to appeal more to a younger audience. which it did very successfully. i loved it and i can't see why they would put the whole thing together, only to get rid of it a year later, despite it having been an overwhelming success, in my opinion.

you can't argue that it wasn't packed out every night. shangri-la and arcadia were fantastic too. i'm probably being a bit tasteless cos i love a bit of bass-heavy music and i was spoilt for choice, but i thought it was fantastic and made the whole festival for me.

[sammysundae]

Boris Johnson dropped the anti-racism message and barred the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) from the London's Rise Festival

[MrZigster]

sorry to double post but WHAT?! that is absolutely disgusting. he is such a lowlife, he doesn't understand the world at all, the epitomy of a tory eton posh-boy who thinks he knows the way the people should live, trying to impose his own one-size-fits-all views on everyone regardless of culture or background, for the benefit of only those who are fortunate enough to be from a background such as his own.

honestly britain - grow up! its not the victorian times anymore.

its about time we had a major shake up of the political system and started paying people who are best qualified for the job a very good wage to make a decent job of running the country, rather than those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth and told they can do whatever they want.

what a dick!

[sammysundae]

What is your point? Shangri-La, Trash City and Arcadia are nowhere near where the Left Field was, and said areas have been slowly building in size for a number of years.

Edited October 7, 2009 by sammysundae

[Chrispylondon]

Another vote for bringing it back, as if one were needed. What other festival venue would host Ned's Atomic Dustbin and Jimbob from Carter USM one after the other? The Levellers in there in 2008 was awesome too.

Very true, one of my all time festival moments ever was watching Jim followed by the Neds. Classic.

Bring back the Left Field!

[maninkilt]

Left field seems amazingly popular

[grumpyhack]

The problem is do you think GFL take any notice of views posted on boards like this? Even if we all called for the Left Field to return would they be aware of our views?

Wot U Reckon Neil?

[Billy09]

The problem is do you think GFL take any notice of views posted on boards like this? Even if we all called for the Left Field to return would they be aware of our views?

Wot U Reckon Neil?

Edited October 8, 2009 by dr_billy

[Deepsky]

i read somewhere that it was not going to be there anymore... It's getting turned into something else in memory of eavis's grandad.

Its going to be called williams 'something'.... i can't remember what it was now :S