gig in a field

[pink_triangle]

I would normally agree that its best to go with the festival with the best bands. However to me the atmosphere is important. Unfortunately while reading/leeds has the line up that suits me the most, it also attracts the most idiots.

[thetime]

Yeah you pretty much chose the one with the best bands, or go to Glastonbury for everything else, is how i always kind of saw it. If Glastonbury has youre favourite bands, then you are just very lucky.

[scottt]

That applys to any festival.

[Kyelo]

Not really. Youre luckier if Glastonbury has the best bands than if reading/leeds does. 'Cause Glastonbury is "better"

[Budweiser]

Its called choice thomas.

[scottt]

Well actually no. Who are these 'best' bands? Totally subjective.

[Kyelo]

The best bands are whoever you like the most. Has there been a mis understanding here somewhere?

[thomasowen]

what I find is glastonbury has bands I wouldnt normally get chance to see or the one that dont tour that much, like eric bibb, terry callier, beth gibbons, nick cave and I love the acoustic tent. r/l usually have the bands that tour most of the time.

im most happy at glasto at the jazz/world stage and the acoustic, leeds im just happy moaning about it lol.

[rivalschools.price]

Fair enough but as someone who has been posting in these forums for a few years there is definately festival snobbery, I'm never going to say that R&L is the best festival in the world, of course it's not, in fact alot of it is absolutely shit but it is what it is and although it isn't shown on this thread there is alot of oneupmanship going on. It's like, if you haven't been to Glastonbury you know f**k all about festivals which is purely not true.

[thetime]

So rivalschools you started the thread to get people say how much they love glasto but then say were saying reding is crap.

I don't know anyone in this thread that's saying reading is shit.

I could be wrong but you said its a gig in a field, inferior complex or what. I think its obvious you won't sample glasto so just enjoy what reading offers, don't lead people into a threa with there honesty and then jump on there backs, when you know what were going to say.

[rivalschools.price]

So rivalschools you started the thread to get people say how much they love glasto but then say were saying reding is crap.

I don't know anyone in this thread that's saying reading is shit.

I could be wrong but you said its a gig in a field, inferior complex or what. I think its obvious you won't sample glasto so just enjoy what reading offers, don't lead people into a threa with there honesty and then jump on there backs, when you know what were going to say.

[Kyelo]

Thing is I actually think that Reading & Leeds are the best large, general 'gigs in a field' even though I haven't been.

Glastonbury is a seperate thing altogether so is I must admit unfair to compare.

[Poleski]

Thing is I actually think that Reading & Leeds are the best large, general 'gigs in a field' even though I haven't been.

Glastonbury is a seperate thing altogether so is I must admit unfair to compare.

[Kyelo]

i think TITP will always be number 2 to Glasto.

[rexclark]

Fair enough but as someone who has been posting in these forums for a few years there is definately festival snobbery, I'm never going to say that R&L is the best festival in the world, of course it's not, in fact alot of it is absolutely shit but it is what it is and although it isn't shown on this thread there is alot of oneupmanship going on. It's like, if you haven't been to Glastonbury you know f**k all about festivals which is purely not true.

[swede]

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.

[rexclark]

I know what you mean, you dont get Sunday night riots ,huge fireballs and the chance of being robbed by chavs at Glastonbury, Reading/Leeds rules !!!

I used to love Leeds festival, part of me still does, started going in 2003 till 2008 and theres always been trouble but 2008 was ridiculous. I was woken at 4.30 monday morning to the sight of a huge fireball behind my tent and my mate wife outside the tent ready to go home as she was in shock at the carnage going on around us.

Im 27 now and just dont have the patience anymore to put up with it, as the crowds seem to get younger theres this almost sheep-like quality about people that they think you have to riot on the last night to have a good time, its bollocks.

I went to Glastonbury for my stag weekend last year and im going on my honeymoon this year. Glastonbury is head and shoulders above any festival in this country, the ammount of effort in the way it looks, the atmosphere, the ammount of stuff to do, theres no other festival like it.

And if you need a bit of fire on the Sunday night, they also have an amazing fire show put on after the bands hve finished.

Edited January 18, 2010 by rexclark

[swede]

I do have to agree, R&L has been deteriorating slowly over the years, the crowd is getting worse, the crowd is getting younger but I don't think the trouble is as bad as it has been. The fires were getting out of control but I feel that it's slowly getting better. It's just stupidity rather than maliciousness.

[rexclark]

Its more widespread across the site now, thats the problem, I camped in the same area 2003-2008, 2003-2006 there was no trouble in our camp (you could hear the trouble in other camps), 2007 there was a little trouble, 2008 it was like been in hell (fireballs everywhere), its totally due to the sheep like mentality of some younger people.

I had friends go this year who had gangs of kids trying to rob them at their tents on the sunday night, f**k that, I want to go to a festival to enjoy myself.

[hallamboy]

Oh dear it is the same old discussion that has been going on for years and years and years. Reading vs Glasto blah blah blah.

OK here is the low down (not that others haven't pointed it out from both sides of the fence).

Reading & Leeds - Big 'rock ' bands (of differing musical varieties). Small enclosed arena, which is easy to navigate. Pack in as many bands as you can, drink yourself silly, 'raise hell' and then go home. Job done!

Glastonbury - Huge variety of different musical and genres across dozens of stages. Open site with no arena. 24 hour entertainment. Options of a non-musical type (crafts, politics, theatre + more). Larger crowd in terms of numbers, diversity and age. See bands, kick back, explore the weird and wonderful.

Now either of those scenarios are fine. What ever floats your boat but there is a very defensive nature on both sides here.

Simple answer is this. If Reading and Leeds hits everything you need from a festival, then well done. If you are looking for a step away from the standard fair then Glasto might provide the answer.

I would say on both sides, if you haven't experienced the 'other ' festival then give it a go. Who knows, you might see something new or it might confirm that you like what you know. Either way its all good!

Edited January 18, 2010 by hallamboy

[thomasowen]

I find this 'damn kids' thing funny - everytime I've seen trouble at the festival it certainly hasn't been teenagers causing it. I also think that a lot of it has to do with where you camp - in four years of camping in green there has been next to no trouble that I've seen. I've heard explosions go off nearer than I would like but for the most part there has been nothing to report.

Edited January 18, 2010 by thomasowen

[thetime]

Every bit of trouble has been teenagers! Or very close to it. Just the usual kids away from parents for first time.

[Poleski]

I find this 'damn kids' thing funny - everytime I've seen trouble at the festival it certainly hasn't been teenagers causing it. I also think that a lot of it has to do with where you camp - in four years of camping in green there has been next to no trouble that I've seen. I've heard explosions go off nearer than I would like but for the most part there has been nothing to report.

[rexclark]

its what puts me off going to the festival tbh.

i thought TITP was bad then i heard about the goings on at reading from my london friends. It just sounds like a ridiculous festival. Music looks brilliant every year, site sounds decent. people sound like f**king air heads.

Thats why i loved rockness, the atmosphere was amazing. download is pretty similar in that respect.

[tori1607]

in 2008 i went to Reading for first time, camped in Green and it was fine for wed/ thurs/fri/sat but on sunday it was just a mess. Fires everywhere, canisters going off it was pretty scary, luckily none of the fire were immedaielty next to us. But it was still kinda scary

I've been to T every year since 07 and i know it's got a bad rep and that stabbing was really scary but this year there was no major trouble.....and it's just pot luck whether ur tent gets robbed or not...at least at T there is no riots and "angry mob" with there big f**king fires burning peoples tents