The Leftfield Stage back for 2010

[CrispyRed]

From a very good source - there will be NO Leftfield next year. If there is then it will have nothing to do with the usual organisers.

[cossie65]

http://######/wp/

Today at Worthy Farm, festival founder Michael Eavis talked keenly about the return of the Left Field socialist campaigning organisation, who are absent from the 2009 festival.

Glastonbury, with a reputation for championing social causes, drew some sceptical comments from the festival faithful this year when it emerged that the Left Field wouldn’t be present. Some feared the festival was losing it’s tradational stance.

In the last week however, the festival announced the presence of high profile environmental campaigners Climate Camp, who will be taking space in the Dragon field, and it looks like there’s no retreat from the radical outlook that differentiates the festival from other major live music events.

Just thought i'd add this. Dont know how much to read into it tbh.

edit - this was added yesterday btw

Edited October 14, 2009 by cossie65

[Buddhafish]

http://######/wp/

Today at Worthy Farm, festival founder Michael Eavis talked keenly about the return of the Left Field socialist campaigning organisation, who are absent from the 2009 festival.

Glastonbury, with a reputation for championing social causes, drew some sceptical comments from the festival faithful this year when it emerged that the Left Field wouldn’t be present. Some feared the festival was losing it’s tradational stance.

In the last week however, the festival announced the presence of high profile environmental campaigners Climate Camp, who will be taking space in the Dragon field, and it looks like there’s no retreat from the radical outlook that differentiates the festival from other major live music events.

Just thought i'd add this. Dont know how much to read into it tbh.

edit - this was added yesterday btw

Edited October 14, 2009 by Buddhafish

[llcoolphil]

So we've managed three pages on bringing back the Left Field.

How many did we manage on banning flags? Banning chairs? Young 'uns ruining the festival for everyone else? More rules in the campsite?

[CrispyRed]

So we've managed three pages on bringing back the Left Field.

How many did we manage on banning flags? Banning chairs? Young 'uns ruining the festival for everyone else? More rules in the campsite?

[MrZigster]

BRILLIANT!!! I am so pleased about this.

[5co77ie]

I didn't think there was enough funding in Unions right now for the kind of expenditure Leftfield needs - I don't know that the Unite Union (who I believe were involved, see here http://www.unitefestivals.org.uk/) have the budget to cover this - unless there's another Union willing to take it on.

Actually I think the Leftfield was also heavily supported by Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Council the ones who also help Beerworkers.

i guess the best bet is to go to Tolpuddle for your summer festival political fix

Edited October 14, 2009 by 5co77ie

[5co77ie]

http://######/wp/

Today at Worthy Farm, festival founder Michael Eavis talked keenly about the return of the Left Field socialist campaigning organisation, who are absent from the 2009 festival.

Glastonbury, with a reputation for championing social causes, drew some sceptical comments from the festival faithful this year when it emerged that the Left Field wouldn’t be present. Some feared the festival was losing it’s tradational stance.

In the last week however, the festival announced the presence of high profile environmental campaigners Climate Camp, who will be taking space in the Dragon field, and it looks like there’s no retreat from the radical outlook that differentiates the festival from other major live music events.

Just thought i'd add this. Dont know how much to read into it tbh.

edit - this was added yesterday btw

[CrispyRed]

I didn't think there was enough funding in Unions right now for the kind of expenditure Leftfield needs - I don't know that the Unite Union (who I believe were involved, see here http://www.unitefestivals.org.uk/) have the budget to cover this - unless there's another Union willing to take it on.

Actually I think the Leftfield was also heavily supported by Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Council the ones who also help Beerworkers.

i guess the best bet is to go to Tolpuddle for your summer festival political fix

[5co77ie]

I don't know about any of this. The fact is that the Eavises have not made any contact with the Leftfield organisers, who have all got different jobs now anyway. Therefore, unless there is a dramatic developemnt soon there will be no Leftfield again.

[CrispyRed]

Surely it's up to the Leftfield organisers to contact the Eavises? and say do you want us?

[4AssedMonkey]

Having been a Glasto Virgin before this year, I obviously have never seen the Left Field or really have a deep understanding of what it was, but from the posts here and other stuff on the net, am I right in believing that it was an area/venue(s) in the festival effectively run by union members/workers, left wing political campaigners and showcasing politically motivated speakers, singers, bands etc.?

If so, I don't see how this has that much relevance in the current climate. I can certainly see why having such a forum in previous years may have been of value (certainly in the 80's) but Labour have been in for 12 years. In that time they have created a nanny state whereby everyone has more legal rights than they can count, the economy is in crisis and national debt is out of control supporting it all because they don't have the guts to raise taxation. The Unions IMO have done a good job of championing the cause of the laid back lazy f**kers right to do knob all and get paid for it to the point where manufacturing in the UK is not financially viable any more, so we can't earn our way out of the national debt. You ask me, left wing politics has screwed us over and if you were to have a "left" field these days, to be seen as left wing compared to the current regime, it would need to be run by communists.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for healthy debate and people championing causes with passion, but restricting this to left wing political fervour in 2010 is inappropriate and pointless.

Oxfam and Greenpeace were well represented at this year's festival as were others and they did a good job of engaging people without being shouty and in your face. I think the balance was about right.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps you're all a bit too nostalgic. Perhaps the festival has to move with the times and the political climate. Perhaps politics should steer clear of performing arts and vice versa. Perhpas I should stop typing now and go and do some work.

[MrZigster]

Having been a Glasto Virgin before this year, I obviously have never seen the Left Field or really have a deep understanding of what it was, but from the posts here and other stuff on the net, am I right in believing that it was an area/venue(s) in the festival effectively run by union members/workers, left wing political campaigners and showcasing politically motivated speakers, singers, bands etc.?

If so, I don't see how this has that much relevance in the current climate. I can certainly see why having such a forum in previous years may have been of value (certainly in the 80's) but Labour have been in for 12 years. In that time they have created a nanny state whereby everyone has more legal rights than they can count, the economy is in crisis and national debt is out of control supporting it all because they don't have the guts to raise taxation. The Unions IMO have done a good job of championing the cause of the laid back lazy f**kers right to do knob all and get paid for it to the point where manufacturing in the UK is not financially viable any more, so we can't earn our way out of the national debt. You ask me, left wing politics has screwed us over and if you were to have a "left" field these days, to be seen as left wing compared to the current regime, it would need to be run by communists.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for healthy debate and people championing causes with passion, but restricting this to left wing political fervour in 2010 is inappropriate and pointless.

Oxfam and Greenpeace were well represented at this year's festival as were others and they did a good job of engaging people without being shouty and in your face. I think the balance was about right.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps you're all a bit too nostalgic. Perhaps the festival has to move with the times and the political climate. Perhaps politics should steer clear of performing arts and vice versa. Perhpas I should stop typing now and go and do some work.

Edited October 14, 2009 by MrZigster

[eFestivals]

Having been a Glasto Virgin before this year, I obviously have never seen the Left Field or really have a deep understanding of what it was, but from the posts here and other stuff on the net, am I right in believing that it was an area/venue(s) in the festival effectively run by union members/workers, left wing political campaigners and showcasing politically motivated speakers, singers, bands etc.?

If so, I don't see how this has that much relevance in the current climate. I can certainly see why having such a forum in previous years may have been of value (certainly in the 80's) but Labour have been in for 12 years. In that time they have created a nanny state whereby everyone has more legal rights than they can count, the economy is in crisis and national debt is out of control supporting it all because they don't have the guts to raise taxation. The Unions IMO have done a good job of championing the cause of the laid back lazy f**kers right to do knob all and get paid for it to the point where manufacturing in the UK is not financially viable any more, so we can't earn our way out of the national debt. You ask me, left wing politics has screwed us over and if you were to have a "left" field these days, to be seen as left wing compared to the current regime, it would need to be run by communists.

The Labour party is not and never has been the font of all left wing views.

The current nu-Labour party is not and never has been left wing in any shape or form. It shares FAR more with Thatcherism than anything left wing.

Debate on these issues is more relevant now than ever. After all, it's very definitely Thatcherist economic policy that's led us to where we are, and without a forum for proper political debate outside of the much-alike political parties, we're doomed to Thatcherist policies forever and all that brings - an ever growing gap between rich and poor; an ever growing tax burden for the poorest and the middle classes; and socialism for the rich thru things such as the banks bailout (which is also a transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich) and free-market instability for the poor.

[Buddhafish]

The BNP now have two Euro MPs. I can't think of a better reason for the Leftfield to be back raising debate aout such issues.

[llcoolphil]

Having been a Glasto Virgin before this year, I obviously have never seen the Left Field or really have a deep understanding of what it was, but from the posts here and other stuff on the net, am I right in believing that it was an area/venue(s) in the festival effectively run by union members/workers, left wing political campaigners and showcasing politically motivated speakers, singers, bands etc.?

If so, I don't see how this has that much relevance in the current climate. I can certainly see why having such a forum in previous years may have been of value (certainly in the 80's) but Labour have been in for 12 years. In that time they have created a nanny state whereby everyone has more legal rights than they can count, the economy is in crisis and national debt is out of control supporting it all because they don't have the guts to raise taxation. The Unions IMO have done a good job of championing the cause of the laid back lazy f**kers right to do knob all and get paid for it to the point where manufacturing in the UK is not financially viable any more, so we can't earn our way out of the national debt. You ask me, left wing politics has screwed us over and if you were to have a "left" field these days, to be seen as left wing compared to the current regime, it would need to be run by communists.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for healthy debate and people championing causes with passion, but restricting this to left wing political fervour in 2010 is inappropriate and pointless.

Oxfam and Greenpeace were well represented at this year's festival as were others and they did a good job of engaging people without being shouty and in your face. I think the balance was about right.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps you're all a bit too nostalgic. Perhaps the festival has to move with the times and the political climate. Perhaps politics should steer clear of performing arts and vice versa. Perhpas I should stop typing now and go and do some work.

[5co77ie]

Having been a Glasto Virgin before this year, I obviously have never seen the Left Field or really have a deep understanding of what it was, but from the posts here and other stuff on the net, am I right in believing that it was an area/venue(s) in the festival effectively run by union members/workers, left wing political campaigners and showcasing politically motivated speakers, singers, bands etc.?

If so, I don't see how this has that much relevance in the current climate. I can certainly see why having such a forum in previous years may have been of value (certainly in the 80's) but Labour have been in for 12 years. In that time they have created a nanny state whereby everyone has more legal rights than they can count, the economy is in crisis and national debt is out of control supporting it all because they don't have the guts to raise taxation. The Unions IMO have done a good job of championing the cause of the laid back lazy f**kers right to do knob all and get paid for it to the point where manufacturing in the UK is not financially viable any more, so we can't earn our way out of the national debt. You ask me, left wing politics has screwed us over and if you were to have a "left" field these days, to be seen as left wing compared to the current regime, it would need to be run by communists.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for healthy debate and people championing causes with passion, but restricting this to left wing political fervour in 2010 is inappropriate and pointless.

Oxfam and Greenpeace were well represented at this year's festival as were others and they did a good job of engaging people without being shouty and in your face. I think the balance was about right.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps you're all a bit too nostalgic. Perhaps the festival has to move with the times and the political climate. Perhaps politics should steer clear of performing arts and vice versa. Perhpas I should stop typing now and go and do some work.

[-pogo-]

I think it would be better if we had a new brand for the area. Instead of Left Field, we could have Labour Field? Alastair Darling DJ set on the Thursday, Tony Benn Cabaret on the Friday, Charles Clarke comedian on the Saturday and Tony Blair playing "Things Can Only Get Better" over and over again for 2 hours on the Sunday.

[Tugger2k]

Which Unions - and how - have championed people getting paid for being lazy?

[-pogo-]

right, im no drooling right winger but there is one union out there that takes the biscuit

Bob Crow's RMT.

anyone fortunate enough to live in the worlds greatest city knows that this man and his members can ruin your day over the slightest perceived slight.

members caught with 180 empty beer cans in their service area at work (and bear in mind, these are tube maintenance workers) - one out, all out

member sacked for being caught playing squash while claiming sick pay - one out, all out.

i wouldn't mind so f**king much but their glorified scalectrix players - how difficult can it be to stop and go.

bus drivers have a much tougher time (traffic, actually having to deal with the general public, having to fill in for the tube drivers every time one stubs their toe and they strike, again)

im all for unions and protecting the workforce from exploitive employers but those c**ts aren't worth the £38,000 a year their paid!!

sorry about the topic swerve - yes, bring back the left field stage!!

[MEGABOWL]

Having been a Glasto Virgin before this year, I obviously have never seen the Left Field or really have a deep understanding of what it was, but from the posts here and other stuff on the net, am I right in believing that it was an area/venue(s) in the festival effectively run by union members/workers, left wing political campaigners and showcasing politically motivated speakers, singers, bands etc.?

If so, I don't see how this has that much relevance in the current climate. I can certainly see why having such a forum in previous years may have been of value (certainly in the 80's) but Labour have been in for 12 years. In that time they have created a nanny state whereby everyone has more legal rights than they can count, the economy is in crisis and national debt is out of control supporting it all because they don't have the guts to raise taxation. The Unions IMO have done a good job of championing the cause of the laid back lazy f**kers right to do knob all and get paid for it to the point where manufacturing in the UK is not financially viable any more, so we can't earn our way out of the national debt. You ask me, left wing politics has screwed us over and if you were to have a "left" field these days, to be seen as left wing compared to the current regime, it would need to be run by communists.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for healthy debate and people championing causes with passion, but restricting this to left wing political fervour in 2010 is inappropriate and pointless.

Oxfam and Greenpeace were well represented at this year's festival as were others and they did a good job of engaging people without being shouty and in your face. I think the balance was about right.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps you're all a bit too nostalgic. Perhaps the festival has to move with the times and the political climate. Perhaps politics should steer clear of performing arts and vice versa. Perhpas I should stop typing now and go and do some work.

[-pogo-]

The current government are about as left-wing as Richard Nixon

[eFestivals]

USDAW are pretty awful as well.

is that another union that sacked off your beloved Labour party as the RMT have done because they don't want to be associated with a bunch of Thatcherites in red ties?

[Tugger2k]

is that another union that sacked off your beloved Labour party as the RMT have done because they don't want to be associated with a bunch of Thatcherites in red ties?

[-pogo-]

is that another union that sacked off your beloved Labour party as the RMT have done because they don't want to be associated with a bunch of Thatcherites in red ties?