gig in a field

[rivalschools.price]

reading is often described as 'just a gig in a field' so i was wondering what else is at the other festivals thats im missing? personally music,beer,camping and food is all im looking for in a weekend so obviously reading ticks all those boxes(tho reading could do with going on a bit later).as a rock/metal fan reading/donnington,etc generally have more bands im interested in than,say,glastonbury so im interested to find what is available at glastonbury or other festivals to tempt me to go there bearing in mind that im less likely to be watching bands.there were hardly any bands i was interested in at glastonbury last year or the year before so i wouldnt be going for the music(and i dont buy the'try harder and look to see if u might find a band u like' theory as i can do that at any festival and anyway,i wouldnt need to do that if i was at download/reading where there is already bands i like there)

please i dont want to turn this into another one of those threads where glastonbury fans get all 'superior' and slag reading off,im just genuinely interested to find out whats available as all the festivals ive been to seem to be the same 'gig in a field' format that i personally am very happy with but seems to get critisised on these pages.

[soundrevolution]

Generally, festivals are in fields.

[thetime]

Glastonbury has everyrhing a festival should be and you can go to glastonbury and not see any bands and have a great weekend. Stone circle for me is just wonderful.

You can't really describe glastonbury you have to experience it. But if you just watch bands its going to be like every othwr festival. I also think smaller festivals like latitude and bestival are offering more than just bands.

But if you just want bands and to get hammered best stop with reading.

[rexclark]

This is just a thing festival snobs will tell you. This year I'm going to Glastonbury and I expect it to be a completely different experience, there is a hell of alot more on but a festival is what you take from it. At Glastonbury you won't get hard rock bands or punk bands, it annoys me when people say Glastonbury is the most diverse festival, perhaps it is as it has alot of different stages but I do believe that R&L is diverse as well, It has "Indie", Punk, Metal and Dance and thats just the basic generalisations. It also has the Comedy/Alternative stage which over the years has seen some huge comedians such as Peter Kaye and Simon Amstell.

I do believe Glastonbury is The Daddy of the all but some respect should be shown to Reading and Leeds and even more to smaller festivals who have a great vibe despite small finances.

[Kyelo]

This is just a thing festival snobs will tell you. This year I'm going to Glastonbury and I expect it to be a completely different experience, there is a hell of alot more on but a festival is what you take from it. At Glastonbury you won't get hard rock bands or punk bands, it annoys me when people say Glastonbury is the most diverse festival, perhaps it is as it has alot of different stages but I do believe that R&L is diverse as well, It has "Indie", Punk, Metal and Dance and thats just the basic generalisations. It also has the Comedy/Alternative stage which over the years has seen some huge comedians such as Peter Kaye and Simon Amstell.

I do believe Glastonbury is The Daddy of the all but some respect should be shown to Reading and Leeds and even more to smaller festivals who have a great vibe despite small finances.

[thomasowen]

I also go to festivals for music which is why Reading and Leeds is more up my street. I suppose Glastonbury has loads of other things going on, you can kind of get a flavour of whats on offer by watching the tv show.

[Sparticus]

i've not been yet (really hoping i get a ticket in the resale as i was broke as a mother trucker when they went on sale).

Someone posted this, looks pretty wild! (although it will be at rockness as well this year)

[rexclark]

I get what your saying but compared to Glastonbury it isn't nearly as diverse. I mean you get basically every genre minus metal + comedy, cabaret, childrens, healing, circus, cinema, poetry, craft, plays etc etc in same light R&L are probably as good as festivals get. Glastonbury is a different sport altogether.

[Paul ™]

How many stages does Glasto have?

R&L only have 5 stages, it's hardly a fair comparrison.

I've never been to Glasto but I think it's a tad narrow minded to think Glasto has everything you can't get at other fests.

[irons]

How many stages does Glasto have?

[thomasowen]

I don't get the argument with stages.. I find it hard enough to see all the bands I want with one or two stages let alone 6 or 30!

[thetime]

Its called choice thomas.

[thetime]

then your not herded like cattle, you dont have to q up to get into the arena. There is no such thing at glasto its all open.

glastonbury used to have heavier bands but that changed around 2000, we all know why.

forget about lineups as they change yearly, that doesnt make a festival to me anyway.

Althogh I also thing glastonbury is watered down version to what it was 10+ years ago, but the watered down version is still the best festival in my opinion by a country mile.

watching the sunrise on a glorious morning is the most beautiful thing in the world.

Also have a much better crowd, again in my opinion.

my favorite stage at glasto is the jazz/world stage, something similar to r/l wouldnt do it any harm.

brothers cider bar yum yum.

It can get very crowded on the main stages but you can also get away from it all and be in your element. last glatonbury in 08 I just wondered aorund mostly cathcing all different parts of the festival and the only headline act I saw was billy bragg on the leftfield stage.

You certainly dont get the nobheads on the last night.

and being no arena so to speak you can take your own beer whether you like.

im not knocking r/l it is good what it is, a gig a field and with a nightclub in the rivermead centre.

[rivalschools.price]

I get what your saying but compared to Glastonbury it isn't nearly as diverse. I mean you get basically every genre minus metal + comedy, cabaret, childrens, healing, circus, cinema, poetry, craft, plays etc etc in same light R&L are probably as good as festivals get. Glastonbury is a different sport altogether.

[rivalschools.price]

saying that,i could try to tempt them if muse are confirmed.its all acedemic anyway as glasto is sold out.

Edited January 17, 2010 by rivalschools.price

[Im_in_a_tent]

glastonbury used to have heavier bands but that changed around 2000, we all know why.

[pink_triangle]

I rememeber ging to glasto in the late 90s and seeing the foos, hole and even a headline set from skunk anansie. I assume the reduction in heavy bands was due to roskilde. I remember feeling very unsafe at the front for foo fighters.

[rivalschools.price]

i dont know why. care to inform me?

[thetime]

no rivalsschool.

9 people died in a crush at roskilde festival 2000.

also the reason the big wall went up, to stop people getting in fee to keep numbers down.

Edited January 17, 2010 by thetime

[thetime]

most of my mates are like me,massive music fans and even bigger beer fans.ha ha.

[rivalschools.price]

no rivalsschool.

9 people died in a crush at roskilde festival 2000.

also the reason the big wall went up, to stop people getting in fee to keep numbers down.

[rivalschools.price]

could be wrong but they have them at glasto.

[thetime]

yes,but for the last few years at least,ive preferred the bands at reading.

[thetime]

i know about roskilde,but i dont understand the connection between this and heavier bands not being at glastonbury.after all,heavier bands still play other festivals.

Edited January 17, 2010 by thetime

[thetime]

but glastnbury isnt just a music festival, it a performing arts festival.